Antenna Tracker for ArduBoat

ArduRover ArduBoat
1

Hi everyone,
I know that there is a antenna tracker board but as I am an Arduboat user I thought I would post here.
I am just making a list of parts I will need.
David B I saw on your video that you used a Pololu Maestro board as your controller, was that a mnin or a micro?
I am looking at a Micro Maestro 6 channel controller : https://www.pololu.com/product/1350 as I am thinking I only need to control 2 servos?
the next one up is theMini Maestro 12 channel: https://www.pololu.com/product/1352 its only a couple of bucks more so it’s not a price issue just seems a wast to have 10 unused channels?
Any thoughts?
Cheers
RS

2

In fact do I even need two axis movement? I only really need the horizontal axis movement??

Cheers,
RS

3

Richard, I use the 6 channel micro. If its just for a boat you would not need a tilt axis only the pan axis.

Regards,
David R. Boulanger

4

Thanks David. What Dbi patch are you using? And what range can you expect with that Patch?
Regards,
RS

5

It’s a 8 Dbi from L-Com. The other antenna on the tracker for the RFD 900 is a 5 Dbi omni from L-Com as well. Stock antennas on the boat. As far as range goes 4 miles was no problem but my tracker was set up probably 15 to 20 feet above the water level. I still had 90 some percent on the packets. boat is set at .5 watts and the tracker is set at 1 watt.

Regards,
David R. Boulanger

6

And don’t forget, unless things have changed, the RFD 900 uses RP-SMA connectors.

Regards,
David R. Boulanger

1 Like
7

Nice one David, thanks for that.

Regards,
RS