Anyone know where I can pick up a serial Arduino? My project involves connecting to a serial GPS, so the USB Arduino won't do. Anyone tried to make the arduino generate sounds for Ham packet radio ax.25?
I'm basically trying to make a Arduino version of the TinyTrack but add more features of my own.
There are at least a few places to get an RS232 arduino. I prefer the version that uses a MAX232 instead of the transistor trick. NKC electronics and Fundamental Logic both carry those models.
You can attach TTL level devices to the USB model Arduino through pins 0 and 1 and basically ignore the USB device.
Scott N1VG recently stated on the opentracker list he's working on an Arduino shield that's basically an OT+. It will apparently use pins 0 and 1 to talk to the ATmega. I have no other information on this one.
I personally have got a couple of prototype shields. I've got an XR2211 decoder version started, and one with an MX614 modem IC actually built (but zero software written yet).
There's also the WhereAVR by N4TXI. While it isn't based on the arduino, it is C code for an ATmega8 and probably would be reasonably portable. I've seen this one work, and Gary was riding with me when he transmitted a message to a WhereAVR on a balloon at altitude that released a slightly irradiated Buzz Lightyear.
If you like tinkering with hardware, spend your money on open source products like the OpenTracker series, and not on the closed source TinyTrack.
-j
I just recently purchased and assembled this:
http://nkcelectronics.com/freeduino-serial-v20-board-kit-arduino-diecimila-compatib20.html
Great price, good quality and I'm very pleased with it.
Lefty