Author Topic: Home made 6 channel Diversity tracker. (Read 638 times)

HarryBazzer · « **on:** April 24, 2014, 10:47:39 PM »

Had an idea last year to make a tracker using the RSSI signal from 6 separate receivers (RX5808). The PIC scans all 6 RSSI signals and adds to the signal counter until its happy it has the longest and strongest signal and switches a high speed video multiplexing IC which switches that VRX through to the video output. Using 6 x 5 turn helicals, it should cover all 360 degrees without the need for manual tracking.
I've put some pics on to show how the project is progressing, but any comments or feedback as to why it might not work would be appreciated

Dusty · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2014, 12:11:54 AM »

looks good, and the idea of a omnidirectional antenna array, made up of directional antennas is a good one

bigMouse · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2014, 09:38:50 AM »

I saw something along these lines a year or two ago, maybe it was you!

looks a pretty cumbersome (and possibly expensive) setup but should function as intended!

HarryBazzer · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2014, 12:20:36 PM »

Most of the parts for this have been home made at no cost apart from time to build and program.
The helicals are made of Earth stripped from 1.5mm T & E cable and some PVC window board.
The ICs and components are what were knocking about in my workshop.
I did have to order the 5808 receivers from Foxtech, but they were about £9 each, so around £60 for those with shipping.
The box to house it all is bigger than I wanted it to be, but if you think it looks cumbersome now, wait till you see the antenna array. It looks like a Dalek on steroids,lol. Have a few more bits to add yet, such as the channel selector DIL switches for the VRXs and a seperate small box on a flying lead with LEDs to display which antenna is active. I realise tracking RSSI signals isnt the best way of doing it, but once I got the idea in my head, I would always be wondering if I could have made it.

HarryBazzer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2014, 03:52:21 PM »

Here is the Dalek array...... Try not to laugh cos I've gotta get this to sit on top of a pole about 6 foot in the air. I know the lads at the flying field will have some witty comments to throw in my direction!!

Martink1974 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2014, 09:56:47 PM »

I like it please keep us posted on the results some vids of it in action would be gr8 , I have used 2 identical patches to cover large area before and it did work well used to switch and plane passed the middle , you might have to fiddle with to stop it jumping from one to the other erratically , I did

Good look with the dalek array