Larry Higgins, W5EX, Dink Stockert, WA5LNL and Dennis Rogers, N5VRP

Intertie, Inc., San Antonio, Texas

Introduction: The Byonics TinyTrak4ä is a recently introduced update of a series of GPS Locator/Messaging devices intended for use in the Amateur APRS system. Enhancements to the original PIC based design include compatibility with KISS TNC operation, as a digipeater, mobile tracker, and use as a weather station that reports into the APRS network. It can be used in all these modes of operation at the same time using a Y serial adapter.

This product has gone through several design upgrades and as this is written is not yet fully featured. We are at v. 0.63 of the software and v. 0.6 of the hardware. This is a beta version: those wishing to use final products should consult Byon Garrabrant's web site at http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak4. If you go for an earlier version, avoid v0.62 and its associated graphical user interface (GUI).

The .zip file contains the v. 0.63 software, instruction and firmware manuals and the appropriate GUI. The latter can greatly simplify programming, but sadly, arrives without instructions. We will try to fill that gap here.

Similar to the other APRS data available on the web site, we have concentrated on the KISS protocol. This arrangement let's your laptop perform the heavy lifting while providing a very good map presentation for station locations. We use UI-View32ä (www.ui-view.org/) combined with Precision Mapping Streets and Traveler (Instructions for downloading and installing PMapServer7 for using Precision Mapping Streets and Traveler 7 with UI-View32. www.ui-view.org/uiview32/uivpmap.shtml ) This British/American software remains the standard of comparison for ease of use, adaptability and multi-applications, including I-gating.

Until now, we have used John Hansen's KISS board (QST Nov 2000, pp. 53-56) married to a Motorola Micor converted to the 2-meter band (www.repeater-builder.com). A TinyTrak3 resides in the same radio. I used a toggle switch to select KISS operation. I can use a single unit for GPS positioning with or without a laptop on board making KISS a simple software toggle.

The UI-View program comes with a schematic for splitting the serial port input and sampling incoming GPS signals for processing. You won't need this with the Tiny-Trak4. Instead, purchase Byon’s Y-cable for this purpose. The TinyTrak4 has two serial ports wired to pins 2 and 3 and [the other] pins 7 and 8, (5 is ground0, pin 4 is a jumper selectable 5-volt line for the GPS. Unlike the Hansen's unit, GPS data goes directly to the TNC rather than through the computer.

Construction: You have a choice of a kit or fully assembled Tiny-Trak4. These are really classy PCB's, very compact, rugged and well thought out. There's a DB-9 male g'zinta and a DB-9 female g'zouta. You will need a double female DB-9 and a null modem adapter for ALL computer interconnects. Again, Byon will sell you these, if you don't have any. Radio Shack and other electronics supply houses carry them as well. Follow the instructions regarding jumpers, cables and so on. In some cases ferrite beads are needed on the dc power and TX/RX lines to eliminate RFI/EMI in mobile applications. Also, you may need to shield the Tiny-Trak4 by using a metal enclosure. Byon offers a SMT version that allows you to simply attach a back light LCD Display and PS2 Keyboard for text messaging and configuration parameters changes without the need for a computer. Other functions are provided via Fx function keys and with more being added at the time of this writing. Byon sells an adapter to attach to the header connector on this model. The kit is very simple to build with minimal skills using the step-by-step instructions provided. Byonics also sells a GPS2 that handles up to 12 satellites with fast access timing and acquisition. Power for the GPS is via a 5v dc regulator onboard all the Tiny-Trak4 versions.

Programming: When you call up the Web Site (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak4) with the sales info and pictures, ignore the "Downloads" in the left-hand column. Scroll to the bottom where you find a long list of downloads. Go to "Firmware" and select tt4_alpha_v0.63zip. Unzip this file and you get 4 more files:

· A Readme.txt, which tells how to load the firmware and has a history of upgrades

· Byonics TinyTrak4 Alpha Firmware Manual v0.63 pdf. Check to see that you have the right manual, whose title should read," Manual Version 0.63 for Firmware version 0.63"

· TinyTrak4 Alpha Config v0.63.exe This is the programming GUI. If you click on it, you see the 1st of several available programming option panels. You can't copy this file, so it has to reside in the computer that you will use to load the firmware. The GUI is preloaded with the default values for each command. You may want to scan these entries, and enter them in your command glossary found in the instruction manual. (There is no listing of defaults provided in the current manuals).

· TT4_alpha_v063.TT4. This is the actual firmware to be loaded into your unit.

· TinyTrak4 Quick Start Guide v0.4.pdf - Quick-Start guide for TinyTrak4 users. Download, open and read this excellent info. Don't just push on. Read it and save yourself hours of grief. Read the instruction manual later, if you are in a hurry.

· TT4_firmware_load v0.1.3zip-TT4/MT-TT4 A special Loader program is needed to send the data to your TinyTrak4. Scroll around and download it.

· Follow the instructions on page 2 of the v 0.4 Quick-Start Guide referenced above. We ignored Tera Term Pro. The LEDS flash and your screen will announce the uploading process. Note: Make sure you upload the proper version as in Tinytrak4...TT4 and not MT-Tinytrak4...TT4. This are two very different models internally.

When you try to run the Loader, your computer may spit out a nasty note that says you need an add-on called net framework v2.0.50277. In Win XP, reference to this is found by clicking on Administrative Tools, then Microsoft .Net Framework. Readers will doubtless know much more about this software than I do. I e-mailed Byon and he came back with a Microsoft URL: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=IOCC340B-F867-4A14-83F5-25634C3BF043&display lang=en

I looked in my Program List (Win XP) and found an earlier version of .net framework. The URL wheeze above gets you to v2.0.50277. In the menu, ignore v3.0, you don't need it. Don't clutter up your computer with it.

With the TT4 Firmware loader running, you will be able to run TT4_alpha_v063.TT4. This happens when you click on the loader icon, a little box shows up that has a panel asking for the file to be loaded. Left click this box, and another panel with My Documents appears. Select the unzipped firmware file. You will be told to cycle the TinyTrak power. Select Com port to be used, power up, and you will see "update firmware." Then follow the instructions shown.

Configuring your TinyTrak4 Alpha Firmware: You can make this job really hard, if you want to but I recommend you try it this way first.

· Your TT4 should be powered up w/12vdc and a serial cable hooked from it's output port to your computer via a double female adapter and a null modem.

· Pull up the GUI icon that you parked in My Documents labeled: TinyTrak4 Alpha Config v0.63.exe.

· Click on the icon and you will see a gray thingy with about 9 available tabs, arranged like this:

Basic | Ports | Position | Position Timing | GPS

Beacon/Digipeater | Telem/WX/Other Packet | Display | Comms

· Click on Comms. Select COM1, unless you know better, in which case select the appropriate port.

· Click on Read Config

· Cycle the 12vdc power OFF and ON. Watch very carefully for things to magically appear, followed by a statement of what got read, changes, etc. Any config items that were pre-loaded will now show up when the other panels are clicked.

· Click on Basic. If a call was previously loaded, it will be shown, else, type in your call, such as W1AZ-1. Fill in the blanks:

· Click on Splitter, which you must have to marry your GPS to Tiny-Trak.

· Send position every 300 seconds

· Click on Close at the bottom right corner.

· Next, click on PORTS. This pops up a fresh screen. Fill in the blanks this way, if they are not already pre-loaded.

· Port A: AMODE TEXT ABAUD 19200

· Port B: BMODE GPS BBAUD 4800

You'll want to select:

· Send decoded packets to serial ports (PKTICOM)

· Send generated packets to serial ports (PKTOCOM)

· Click on Close at the bottom right corner.

At this point, providing you found defaults filled in on the other panels, you can probably fire up and see if the whole gizmo works.

To short cut for now, just click on COMMS again and then click on Write Config. Again, you'll be flipping the power off and on, while watching the LEDS on TT4 and the computer screen for response. You may want to click on Read Config, cycle power and see if your call sign is written on the BASIC tab. That confirms that TT4 read your input. You can save the config to a file or to other media.

If the BASIC panel still says NOCALL, instead of your call, you're in trouble. Stop. Check your hookup. Did you forget to put a Null Modem in the serial cable line? Did you see an acknowledgement when you did the firmware download? Does the blue LED light glow steadily after all 4 LEDS flash when you turn on the power? Did the LEDS flash sequentially during the firmware loading process?

I tried going to the GUI directly when I received my unit. I could not effect any response when I clicked on Read Config on the COMS page. The unit is supposed to arrive with the PIC programmed. Perhaps, mine did, but got corrupted somehow. Whatever the reason, I went ahead and loaded v0.63 as described above. Furthermore, I failed to recognize there are 2 GUI's on the web page. Do not try to use TinyTrak4 Alpha Config v0.62.exe: it won't work!

To examine the programmed PIC, without the GUI, you must load a terminal emulator from Windows. In XP, click on Programs, Accessories, Communications, HyperTerminal. When this program loads, there will be a panel to set up a telephone or whatever. Click EXIT.

A panel with a toolbar will remain. Click PROPERTIES. Screen will say "New Connection Properties." Click Configure. Name it TinyTrak4. Read down to "Connect using" and type in COM 1. The computer will only then allow you to click on Configure.

On the Configure panel, fill in 19,200 Bits, 8 Data, None parity, 1 Stop bit, and Flow Control None.

On my computer, when I call up HyperTerminal and click on Cancel in the first panel, the tool bar already says "TinyTrak4". On my Win 98 laptop, I have to cancel the new connection panel and click on OPEN and select TinyTrak4.

OK, so now you have HyperTerminal running 19,200, 8N1. With your TinyTrak4 unit connected via double female and null modem adapters, turn on your unit. LEDS will flash and screen will show a "?". Press ESC three times to get into command mode. Do this quickly and you'll get a ":". You are ready to talk to your PIC. See the instruction manual for available commands. You will probably want to list the config file. This is done by typing, DISPLAY [Enter]. The file is longer than the window so use the arrow keys to scroll through the list. End your session by typing QUIT [Enter]. If you have a working radio running on the TinyTrak4 input, the TT4 will begin sending data to your screen. If you programmed AMODE as TEXT, it will be readable stuff, else KISS, it will be 90% gibberish.

Completing configuration: I found the GUI very helpful in configuring Tiny-Trak. I will march you through the remaining panels now. With TinyTrak4 hooked to your serial port via double female DB-9 and Null Modem, power it up. In My Documents, find the GUI logo and click on it. This brings up the gray thingy as before. Click on COMS and select Read Config, cycle power when directed. When you are finished click on the Basic tab and look for your call. It is not necessary to use HyperTerminal for this task. The GUI automatically places you in command mode, when needed.

1. Basic. You have filled in your call, such as W1AZ-1, and checked Splitter. Position reporting rate can be 300 sec. However, during ring-out, you might want to enter 20 sec., so you can see the results later in HyperTerminal, without a 5-minute wait.

2. Ports. You've already selected the operating mode of each of the available serial ports. I recommend leaving AMODE TEXT, until you are confident all is finished, then switch AMODE to KISS, if you're going to run this mode. Be sure to check the PKTICOM and PKTOCOM sentences.

3. Position. Scroll TPROTOCOL down to APRS TEXT, Select Send TSPEED and heading. Select TALT and deselect TOSV. By deselecting TOSV, you will see that the Blanks for QTH and altitude are no longer grayed out. Fill in a LOCATION and its altitude = GALT. The numbers used for the lat/long must be shown exactly as in the default, including leading zeros. I enter a QTH and altitude away from my shop, in order to distinguish GPS output and to keep my QTH off the Internet. TSTATUS can be left in the default, or you can place a personal message here, such as your e-mail address, or whatever. Set STATUSRATE to 3. Avoid the MIC-E stuff for now, and leave the time stamp as HMS. Leave TSYMCODE with >, as shown; / for TSYMTABLE. When you get ready to play with the little UI-View icons, the list is available at http://www.wa81mf.net/aprs/APRS symbols htm. Note that there are 2 tables, toggled by TSYMTABLE, wherein you enter either a right slash (default), or left slash to access the other table.

4. Position Timing. Set PPERIOD to 300 sec. Smart beaconing can be useful, especially for complex navigating tasks, as in car rallies, and, if checked, the details should be left in the factory defaults. Smart Beaconing pre-empts PPERIOD, if checked. Ignore ENTS and TSOFFSET, unless you understand them. I don't.

5. GPS. Set GWAYMODE to NMEA. Check Send waypoint for self (TSWPT). GRELAYBITS selects the GPS code you are using. Default is 1, which is $GPRMC. This command can be useful, if you are having doubts about your GPS receiver. Set to 1, if you want to see raw GPS in your HyperTerminal display. Unless you are interested in seeing the raw GPS data in HyperTerminal, set GRELAYRATE to 0. Beacon/Digipeater set BPERIOD to 1300, and avoid irritating your APRS friends with excessive beacons. Leave Digipeater settings blank. I believe that filling in the Alias here will activate the TinyTrak4as a Digipeater. You don't want to do this now.

6. Telem/WX/Other. We think telemetry is cool. Hence, activate this feature by following our suggested choices. Set TPERIOD a minimum of 600 sec. During check out use fewer seconds, so you don't have to wait so long. You have an opportunity to calibrate the voltage and temperature readings with the Tweak commands. Here is what we are using, just for a starter for you: Check TELREAD, TELVOLT, TELTEMP. Select 163 for TVOLTTWK; 119 for TTEMPTWK. Ignore the rest of the page for now. Note in passing that BANK 0 is checked by default. Stray not from here!

7. Packet If you started with the BASIC panel, your call will always be filled in here. Stay in sync with Bob Bruniga on the PATH selection - leave the defaults at WIDE1-1 and WIDE2-1. Avoid the use of "RELAY" or "TRACE"! . For mobiles depending upon terrain, use no more than WIDE1-1 for PATH1 and WIDE2-2 for PATH2. This yields totally WIDE3-3. The first number is NOT used before the dash only the second. DO NOT over position report as it is not necessary and clutters up the frequency for others. Set CDMODE to PIN2. We are using 12 for RXAMP; 128 for TXLEVEL and 50 for TXTWIST. See instructions for more. Leave all the remaining defaults as is. Be careful with TXLEVEL. Read the instructions and follow them. Avoid over deviation, a main cause of APRS communications failure. These parameters are tweaked on a radio-by-radio basis so it may vary. Use the calibrate mode to tweak them.

8. Display. Leave this page as-is. Be sure LEDS is checked.

9. COMMS. We've been here already. After checking the Com Port you've selected and all your entries, page-by-page, click on COMMS, then WRITE CONFIG. Cycle power as directed and watch as the panel shows your entries going by and the LEDS on TinyTrak4 merrily flashing. You'll be told when it is finished. I suggest clicking on Save Settings, so that your hard work is backed up. The settings are a Text file, which can be printed for a hard copy record. After closing, you can also print off the Default values by going back to the GUI, clicking on COMMS and then "Save Settings". Of course, you will want to title the file "Default". The instruction manuals do not show the defaults. Keep in mind you can save multiple configurations by the naming of the file. We do this for archiving different sites configurations versus mobile configurations.

10. You can now click on READ CONFIG, cycle power when asked and see your handiwork displayed on each GUI page. When satisfied, cycle power again and you are good to go. I'd suggest watching the whole machinery play now, by calling up HyperTerminal as before and watching the incoming stations, as well as your own location and id. Your GPS may not work in the shack. Using a DB-9 extension cord, position it outdoors on a chair under an open sky. GPS LOCK is achieved only when the green LED goes from flashing to steadily on. In the absence of valid NMEA data from a locked GPS and TOSV TRUE, you will never see the mobile icon on the screen.

Editing your GUI work: You can edit easily with the GUI. However, it may be simpler to call up HyperTerminal, select TinyTrak4 turn it on and hit ESC three times to go into command mode. Using your instruction manual, refer to Parameter Commands where you will find a glossary of all available commands. Messing with CDMODE is convenient here, for instance. Also, changes in PPERIOD and BPERIOD, GRELAYBITS, are all easily accomplished, as well as screen readout with DISPLAY. We use HyperTerminal to toggle from Tiny-Trak AMODE TEXT to AMODE KISS, only after satisfactory ops are seen with the TinyTrak4 chip alone.

Notice that the current status of each command pops up when that command is typed in followed by [Enter]. Type "QUIT" when you are finished.

Problems and unanswered questions: We are a bit uncertain of the relationship of the setup embedded in the UI-View software and what you've entered into the TinyTrak4 PIC. Right now, it seems like both configs are running, when AMODE is KISS. The serial output certainly writes into UI-View, but the I.D, programmed into TT4 wins over that typed into UI View Station setup. We're wondering how much of the Comms and Station setups influence the overall operation of TinyTrak in KISS mode.

The digipeat function appears to toggle on when Alias 1 is filled in. When we assigned an alias, such as WIDE1-1, we saw our call in the string of stations digipeated here in town. (UI-View Terminal Mode toggled). However, when TinyTrak4 is digipeating, the UI-View display sometimes fails to show my current QTH, while transmitting the information by RF just fine, as confirmed by other stations. When used as a tracker/digipeater, use WIDE3-3. This gives you extra position reporting in case of mountains and valleys blocking your transmissions.

We are unclear as to why a response to My Call must be filled in twice. Are 2 different calls expected? The GUI fills your call in for you, after it is once entered on the BASIC panel. Other items appear to be a prefilled suggesting that you just do COMMS and BASIC and then try the system out, before entering the multitude of commands.

We were dismayed to find that the GUI has glitches. In particular, it is wise to print out a text file of the commands you entered and check them there. The GUI read back may lie to you. We had difficulty with CDMODE defaulting to LEVEL, after we sent PIN2. The LOCATION may revert to Default, even if the correct format is entered. This makes error correction necessary w/ HyperTerminal. We did try repeating the GUI read-in. Some times it worked, but not always. Another approach would be to make corrections in the text file and then read it back in using the GUI COMMS page command. Be sure to use the correct version of GUI (0.63).

In summary, print out a text file of all commands and enter commands of interest into HyperTerminal, in order to check their state.

TOSV TRUE prevents publication of invalid GPS packets. At first glance this seems like a good idea, and intuitively, this should be set TRUE. However, this invalidates publication of an assigned stationary QTH. The GUI panel will gray out when TOSV is TRUE. So we select TOSV FALSE. There may also be an undesired interaction with UI-View, when TinyTrak is run in the KISS mode. (We're exploring this.)

We are very anxious to pursue messaging and plan to acquire Byon's keyboard and display ASAP.

The Weather function will be addressed in another Cheat Sheet. We will explore the possibility of a one TNC weather-digipeater. The check program diag._v0.4.zip is next in line at our bench.

Mobile operation: We are using a GE/Ericsson Monogramä 2-meter transceiver trunk mounted. A Panasonic Tough Bookä computer rides in the back seat with the TinyTrak4. A DB-9 cable with ferrite chokes (Available from All Electronics) feeds the signal from the trunk. I used a toggle switch on an extension cable to control the 12-vdc feed. You may wish to wire the unit through your ignition switch in order to save the car battery. My GPS unit is a Radio Shack "DigiTraveler". I stuck it up under the dash with double-sticky tape. With the glove compartment door snapped down, I reached up in front of the air bag and pushed it up into the Fiberglass dash. In that location, good signal strengths arrive through the windshield and Fiberglass from the GPS satellite array, I power the unit with a 7805 regulator. See: home.teleport.com/~n3eg/rsgps.htm. If you use Byon's GPS, the TinyTrak4 can provide 5 volts, so you don't need to build a supply, as I had done.

Conclusion: TinyTrak4 is a very sophisticated multi-purpose digital communications device. We hope that we have smoothed your learning curve. Comments, criticism and corrections should be addressed to W5EX@intertie.org. You will receive a reply!

We recommend that you check the Byonics web site frequently. Your questions may be answered there.

July 13, 2010

Copyright 2010, Work in progress