Here's a review of the TK102 in comparison to other types.
http://gps-tracker-review.toptenreviews ... eview.html
http://gps-tracker-review.toptenreviews ... eview.html
Track that Drone
- Thread starter THell
- Start date
I also backed this on a kickstarter - without thinking of the P2V
http://www.thetileapp.com/#this-is-tile
http://www.thetileapp.com/#this-is-tile
TXhillcountryphantom said:Noël said:Here is my long range tracking device (still needs to be attached to the "Drone")
It's called the FMkit (more info: http://fmtv.us/rf_beacon.html)
I'm using a 3 element boom with my Yaesu radio to find it back.
(antenna info: http://www.arrowantennas.com )
So.. Now when I lose one of my multicopters I will be doing some radion fox hunting
Noel--Do you know for sure you need that antenna on your Yaesu or will my extended whip antenna on my VX-8R radio work?
What else do I need to know about the process to have success with the RF beacon? I may use them on one of the Phantoms but more likely in my son's Estes rockets...
Thanks!
You just gave me a great idea. Maybe I will try using the Phantom to film one of these rockets from above
I'm looking at getting a Blutracker (https://www.sticknfind.com/blutracker.aspx). I see that it looks like they're finally going to get released in February.
They only have a 2500ft range - but I would think that should be enough to wander in the general direction that your Phantom took off and you should be able to find it. The plus side with this device - no monthly fees!
They only have a 2500ft range - but I would think that should be enough to wander in the general direction that your Phantom took off and you should be able to find it. The plus side with this device - no monthly fees!
Scottrod said:TXhillcountryphantom said:Noël said:Here is my long range tracking device (still needs to be attached to the "Drone")
It's called the FMkit (more info: http://fmtv.us/rf_beacon.html)
So.. Now when I lose one of my multicopters I will be doing some radion fox hunting
Testing a new system here... Uses a low cost uhf tx, a cheap Baofeng (£23) receiver (or a 70cm rx if you already have one) with directional antenna... Range is great -- up to 10km... It's similar to the fmkit device just using newer, cheaper chipsets, and easier to customise...
Jebus said:
Be aware that since bluetooth 4 is a point to point (low powered to boot), it may get its signal blocked very easily if there are objects between you and the drone. It's bound to be surrounded by trees, bushes, rocks, earth, or whatnot if a drone crashes, all of which can block the signal and drastically reduce its 2500' range (which is already quite optimistic it seems).
kamkilla said:
I haven't heard of one.. I personally think that a big percentage of flyaways are avoidable, in the sense that they're due to the user's unfamiliarity or unpreparedness of using the Quad optimally (ok, some of these can be blatant 'user error'). So if you're at the point of thinking of installing a tracker on your drone, chances are you've already familiarised yourself with the Phantom and you're already doing the extra steps of precaution.
So you're probably technically-averse enough to use the Phantom optimally... thus you're actually in the low-risk group.
(If there is such a thing).
LeoS said:
I agree that 2500' range is more than likely VERY optimistic. Thanks for the info. I'm still thinking this would be a good solution - as you should be able to wander around in the general vicinity that the Phantom went and hopefully find a signal - even if the range went from 2500' to 500' (or even less), I would think you'd still have a pretty good chance of finding it.
Weighing in at 30 grams I'm going to try this one. Once I've tried it out I will review it for you.
kamkilla said:
The chances of a flyaway are pretty slim and the number of people using these trackers on their Phantoms is probably small. So, I doubt it.
There's not much chance, I'll need to use it. But, I didn't spend much on the tracker I bought. And, I also can use it in one of my rockets which, if I decide to fly high, might have a greater chance of needing to be found.
Unfortunately, the place where I usually fly larger rockets (and have been photographing them with the Vision) doesn't have good AT&T coverage, so the tracker I'm using doesn't work there.
Most of the tracking systems rocketry people use are just beepers or buzzers that help us locate a rocket lost behind a bush or in tall grass or whatever. It's amazing how hard even a large rocket with a huge parachute can be to spot on the ground when it is masked by terrain or foliage.
Cell-phone based GPS trackers like I bought aren't very popular with the rocketry crowd for the reason I ran into - lack of cellular coverage at our launch sites. The bluetooth things aren't used often because of the limited range and lack of direction information.
Some rocketry people use transmitters in their rockets that broadcast the location based on GPS. A popular example is the system from Big Red Bee (http://www.bigredbee.com/beelinegps.htm). Others use Radio Direction Finder systems with a small transmitter on the rocket and a receiver with a high-gain, directional antenna.
The better of the GPS and RDF radio systems (i.e. the ones that actually work) use HAM radio frequencies and require at least an amateur radio technician's license. They are also, generally, rather expensive.
-- Roger
hi Roger - thanks for testing and the write up- do you have the specifc link for the tracker you bought as the link in your write up just goes to the general amazon page..jadebox said:
with that AT&T deal do you have a limited time to use up your 'minutes' or do you have to pay $10.month regardless or can you hold the $10 of calls 'indefinitely' till they run out? when I click this link (SIM for Basic & Quick Messaging devices)- http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/device ... _jvVEER_p0 it says its free though an activation fee is required- if I add to cart it eventually asks for my phone's IMEI number..I do not have a compatible phone that takes SIM cards..if I were to get either the tk102 or tk102b does it in of itself come with an IMEI number and then I can put that in on the AT&T website? If so will it still work, because I've read to make it work successfully you need to put the new SIM into a phone and send a text or call at least once to make sure it's properly activated..?
Also to anyone- which to get the tk-102 eg. here (review not good) http://www.amazon.com/Real-Time-Portabl ... ords=tk102 orthe tk-102b eg. here- http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... MPAPxCPA28? What's the difference between tk102 and tk102b if anything? what's the measured weight of the tracker alone (minus all the packaging and accessories it comes with)?
ps- to anyone else considering the tk-102 here's a tk102 set up video I found.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yMu0Qesfzo&feature=youtu.be
thanks in advance!
theSelf said:
The TK102 is like a cell phone, so it has an IMEI that you need to enter. I think I described that in write-up. You can test it after activation by sending a text message to the device as I described.
I think the difference between the TK102 and TK102b is that the "b" version allows you to add an sdcard to record info in the device. I inserted a card in it so I'm not sure if its required or not.
-- Roger
thanks jadebox- since writing I spoke to at&t- it seems I can get the sim only for free (just pay shipping- about $6)- and the minimum I can put on at a pay as you go 10c/min rate is $10- however that $10 or less unused credit will be removed every month and if i want to use it every month- iI will hav eto keep adding $10 of credit for each and every month I want to use it- so if I want to use it every month it will be like effectively being on a $10/month contract with the option to 'take a month or two off; if I want to- is that your experience? (I was hoping the $10 credit could be added indefinitely till it is used up or to last longer than a month at least..)jadebox said:
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