[aprssig] APRS = the IoT of Amateur Radio [was: APRS to the planet rescue?

[Scott Miller]

I just ordered one of those to try out.  Some version of the new device 
will probably have some built-in I/Os, but I'm trying to not load it up 
with hardware that's going to take up space and only get used a fraction 
of the time.  I'll probably need to add a 1-wire bus, but I've come to 
hate 1-wire.  Modbus over RS485 will run over much longer distances and 
in the presence of a lot of electrical noise.  I'm also trying to make 
the BASIC stuff flexible and modular enough that you can make reusable 
bits of interface code for various peripherals, so I don't have to hard 
code a ton of different drivers.

Scott
N1VG

On 4/12/2017 7:36 PM, Steve Dimse wrote:
>> On Apr 11, 2017, at 8:06 PM, Scott Miller <scott at opentrac.org> wrote:
>>
>> I remember seeing an APRS flood monitor at Dayton a few years ago.  They weren't particularly cheap devices, but I think they used ultrasonic gauges.  A simple float switch would do it.
> The device is Flood Advisor
>
> http://floodadvisor.com/products.php
>
> It was quite power efficient, mine ran for two years on a single 6 volt lantern battery, sending the tide level every 5 minutes. findU has support for the graphing format, and can give excursion from predicted tides.
>
> I hope if you do develop your system you will consider including support for an ultrasound module. These are available for about $7 on EBay
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultrasonic-Module-Distance-Measuring-Transducer-Sensor-Waterproof-/201322915390?hash=item2edfc7e63e:g:DvcAAOSwYIxX9eS8
>
> The interface is easy, pulse one pin to trigger, measure the width of the returned pulse on another pin, and do a little math.
>
> With the float switch you do not know the device is functional unless it is triggered, and then you do not get any info about the level other than that it is above a certain point. US provides proof the device is correctly working, allows you to follow rising and falling floodwaters, and makes tidal measurement practical.
>
> Steve K4HG
>
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