Hi, i am trying to get my head around a project but in an area ive not really ever done much with.
The basics of it are, you can get these "long range" 2 way radios from most places now (even supermarkets) that claim around 2km, well my ultimate goal is to have the arduino transmit a timed "beep" to one of these radios? I notced these radios all use the same, or similer freq because ive picked up other users of them whilst out using them.
So just wondering if someone could guide me in the right direction to the hardware needed for the arudino to get started on this, software isnt an issue as thats what i do, but hardware im unsure of.
I have 1 x arduino uno and 2 x arduino pro mini's. my goal would be be as long range as i can but even 1/2 - 1km would be fine.
Probably the easy way to do it is use an existing radio and with a little bit of electronics connect the arduino so it replaces the microphone and controls the PTT (Push To Talk) button.
I don't know what you would like to do with it, but you could have an arduino operate the PTT switch and send a tone to the microphone.
Would probably only cost a few components if you're willing to hack a two way radio, or a small servo + speaker if you rather keep it intact.
Keep in mind tons of of regulations regarding radio-transmissions exist worldwide, it may be wise to check what's allowed in the region where you're living.
Simpson_Jr:
Keep in mind tons of of regulations regarding radio-transmissions exist worldwide, it may be wise to check what's allowed in the region where you're living.
Yes. In the US, using FRS/GMRS to send anything other than analog voice is specifically disallowed. There is one specific exception that allows encoded GPS coordinate data to accompany a voice transmission (used by Garmin FRS units). Further, it is illegal to attach unapproved items to or internally modify a FRS/GMRS unit (such as attaching wires to the PTT button contacts).
Even if modification/noise/data is legal in your jurisdiction (I'm assuming not the US since you mention km instead of miles ), please don't pollute the airwaves with noise that will annoy other users.
The ideal solution would be to get your ham radio license, which is designed for the sort of thing you're proposing. Alternatively, you may be able to use 433MHz "unlicensed band" Tx/Rx modules with high-gain directional antennas to reach long distances.
please don't pollute the airwaves with noise that will annoy other users.
I can't imagine a occasional short snippet of periodically repeated tones (I'm thinking OP's ultimately planned transmission would be sort of a Morse-code like series of beeps, representing a bit or a byte of data, sent a few times to ensure receipt) would be any more annoying than anything else one typically hears on those kind of radios.
Source: Go to a big zoo or something like that on a busy summer day with lots of families on lots of radios and shake your head at humanity. I'm in the US.
please don't pollute the airwaves with noise that will annoy other users.
Go to a big zoo or something like that on a busy summer day with lots of families on lots of radios and shake your head at humanity. I'm in the US.
Oh I agree, the FRS band is almost the cesspool that CB is. Still, that's no excuse to make it even worse.
Anyway, if you really must spew noise on a voice band, at least have the courtesy to wait for 10 seconds of Rx silence before each transmission to help reduce the chance of blasting other users into oblivion. It would also behoove you to use a "subchannel" to help reduce the chances of others hearing it.
gibbon you've got me curious what your application is now... if you tell us, maybe we can find a better way to accomplish it.
Let's keep in mind the channels on gibbons two way radio could be empty as well. (something that is of course polite to check, hint hint)
Must say I've had great fun "polluting" the airwaves by the way, being part of a digital radio-network covering most of europe was great fun. It even made me part of the internet before local commercial ISPs existed.
And yes, I know it can be annoying not being able to find a free channel, as kid I used CB and certainly remember the cesspool times. But 10 years later my 2400baud telephone modem was rather costly, besides a few truckers CB was deserted and it became legal to send data, so... why not ?
Something you of course could do Gibbon is contact a local ham-operator, ask him which frequencies are open to the public, which are crowded and what's allowed. Should the UHF be to crowded, a project like this could just as well be done on CB.
The rules you mention are valid in the US , like about 19 out of every 20 persons I... don't live there. These rules apply to me.
And yes, a small percentage of time HF propagates 11-meter signals globally. As a result I have qsl-cards from 7 different countries during 5 years I run a BBS on CB.
If you "now know that the typical operator's objective today is to break all rules", be my guest.
I remember it as a great time where both licensed hams and early computer-enthusiasts helped each other by sharing knowledge and sparking interests.
The rules you mention are valid in the US , like about 19 out of every 20 persons I... don't live there. These rules apply to me.
And yes, a small percentage of time HF propagates 11-meter signals globally. As a result I have qsl-cards from 7 different countries during 5 years I run a BBS on CB.
If you "now know that the typical operator's objective today is to break all rules", be my guest.
I remember it as a great time where both licensed hams and early computer-enthusiasts helped each other by sharing knowledge and sparking interests.
I'm not sure if "CB" is part of your region's vernacular, but I'm taking your argument at face value in how it was presented, discounting the alleged 17 out of 20 to which none of our discussion will apply. I think a lot of of the regional laws around HF are borne from international treaties, but some of this may have changed over the last decade or so. I cannot read the language of your regional "laws" so do not know if what you say is true. I'm familiar with the US FRS rules as well, and those may apply to the OPs situation. Thanks.
Iv'e got another application for this which I'm wanting to explore.
In Aust, no hassles with max 5 Watt UHF Transmissions & will be used out west away from others as well.
I have developed a Target Impact unit for LR Shooting applications, out past 1200yds & onto 2000yds the Impacts on a steel Target are near impossible to see or hear so I used an Arduino UNO, an accelerometer module & a relay module connected to a 6V geared motor. on the motor spindle is a bright pink, double ended pin pong paddle that pops up behind the target, pauses for 5 seconds & then dis-apears behind the target again to complete the Code/cycle.
Now.....
Instead of the Motor, I'm thinking it could be a UHF Transmitter that sends out a few short Beeps.
I always have my vehicle at the firing point with me so the dash mounted UHF Radio is the reciever.
So....
Is there an easy way to set up a UHF Transmitter (2 - 5 Watt) that will transmit a tone when the Arduino senses the signal from the Accelerometer?
), please don't pollute the airwaves with noise that will annoy other users.