459MHz UHF legal Tx and Rx - Arduino based programability.

[papa_lazerous]

1st link was very interesting Nigel, not sure what the second link was meant to show?  Dont know if you noticed but you can buy the modules and a breakout board seperately from Flytron since a few weeks ago.  Obviously this doesnt include a processor like the option you linked but still opening up other doors I think

http://www.flytron.com/open-source-hardwares/171-rfm22b-beakout-board-pcb.html

http://www.flytron.com/openlrs/157-rfm22b-s2-20dbm-wireless-transceiver.html

[Devonian]

The 2nd link is where the 1st link will be sold, when available (as I understand it).

You can buy the breakout boards/shields/RFM22B from Sparkfun and their distributors as well.
I use Proto-Pic or SK Pang in the UK.

I don't think Melih has got the market cornered any longer for open source/low priced UHF kit ?

Nigel.

[papa_lazerous]

I hadnt looked anywhere else for the breakout board, but I do use proto-pic from time to time.  To be honest I dont think Melih had the market cornered at any point in time,  he doesnt seem interested in supporting and pushing his product.  Without Mihai coming along and completely re-writing the firmware we would all still be stuck with the copy and paste job that Melih did.  More people should be using this system, and on a price point alone there should be more people buying it but I think it will take some more time to happen and only if the FW continues to grow and mature

[Coyote]

Hmm, setup mine, same result as Splashy, on Thundead V3.3 code my Analyser shows my TX is on 433 too :)

[Devonian]

Ian,

Try this.
Open the Tx pde in Arduino and search for

_spi_write(0x75, 0x53);

and replace it with

_spi_write(0x75, 0x55);

Verify it and load it to your Tx.

Fire it all up and run the spectrum analyser s/ware.

You may just be the first one to actually be on 459MHz.

It would appear I missed something in my original take on Melih's code and nobody spotted it -- until now.
Dennis and  Mihai seem to have it sussed...

Let us know how it goes (I have to go to my eldest son's and won't be back until late).

Nigel.

[Coyote]

Ok Nigel, I'm at work, but ill do it before I go to bed in the morning

[Splashy]

Ian,

Try this.
Open the Tx pde in Arduino and search for

_spi_write(0x75, 0x53);

and replace it with

_spi_write(0x75, 0x55);

Verify it and load it to your Tx.

Fire it all up and run the spectrum analyser s/ware.

You may just be the first one to actually be on 459MHz.

It would appear I missed something in my original take on Melih's code and nobody spotted it -- until now.
Dennis and  Mihai seem to have it sussed...

Let us know how it goes (I have to go to my eldest son's and won't be back until late).

Nigel.

Hi, I think I might be the first to be on 459 !!

[thundead]

haha so i fixed it then :) better get a new version up then.

[Coyote]

Doesn't that then mean the rx code needs updating too ?

[Splashy]

haha so i fixed it then :) better get a new version up then.

Yes, you did.

Useful things those Spectrum Analyzers. I wonder how long we would have gone on without the useful application for the RX.

I guess that means we need to do some more range tests ... maybe explains why the results were so good with the stock 433 antenna.

[Coyote]

Good point, but at least its fixed :)

[Devonian]

Nice one guys!

I did say I wasn't a programmer when I originally interpreted Melih's code for adapting to 459MHz.
Ah well, I got some of it right - not bad for an old 'un and actually a mechanical engineer by trade rather than an electronic/software engineer.
In my defence, nobody else spotted my 'deliberate' mistake either ;)

Thank goodness for Dennis' software spectrum analyser.

If you want something machining, welding or knocking into shape with a BFH (Big F***** Hammer) - I'm your man  :D

Nigel.

[Coyote]

Nice one Nigel, not bad for an ole duffer :) Excellent find !

It's all good, if it was that easy everyone would be doing it lol You can write what I know about coding on a stamp bud

Yes we wouldn't have even known if it wasn't for the spectrum project, but now we have it all muhahaha :)

[Splashy]

You did a great job in bringing OpenLRS into the UK and it was only 20Mhz! We all appreciate your efforts and those of Thundead.

The past day has really shown the power of Open Source and what a great development OpenLRS is.

[BigMouse]

Nigel,

So when you changed the rf circuit component values and experienced an 8mw drop in power output, it was still running on 433mhz (that would now make sense!)

Wonder if you still have that modified vtx ? and if so, I wonder what difference in power output there is when actually on 459 ?