Lora APRS Tracker and Lora Aprs Digipeater / IGate
LoRa APRS Tracker
=================
Once you have purchased your board, it’s time to get started with the firmware.
We picked the Heltec WiFi LoRa 32(V3) Dev-board with SX1262 and ESP32-S3FN8 Chip OLE Board (433 MHz version)
Visit https://github.com/richonguzman/LoRa_APRS_Tracker
There is a very simple-to-use web flasher/installer.
Firstly, make sure you have the antenna connected to the Board and then connect the board to your computer.
Using your device manager, check out which COM port the board is connected to.
Select the correct options for your board and press Flash Firmware (this takes about two Minutes)
Reset your board and connect to the wifi access point
“LoRaTracker-AP” WiFiAP will be created by the Tracker board (password is “1234567890”). Use the Google Chrome web browser and enter 192.168.4.1, and you will find the WebUI Configuration Page
Complete the settings as required, use section 1 only – you just need one beacon, pick the options to meet how you are going to use your tracker.
Note
====
Freq config
===========
In the UK, currently, the following freq have been allocated in the band plan. If not in the UK, please check (2025/09)
Note 9: Coordinated usage includes – Low-power Lora 125kHz Max BW at 439.9125 MHz,
Once rebooted, your Device should display;
Your Callsign + SSID
the Date and Time (UTC)
Lat and Long (from the GPS)
Alt and Speed
Last Rx
Battery Voltage
My next job is to find a suitable enclosure and battery, and a charging system for my LoRa APRS Tracker.
Lora APRS Digipeater / IGate
============================
However, if you do not have a LoRa APRS Digipeater / IGate near you, you can build one of these.
Visit: https://github.com/richonguzman/LoRa_APRS_iGate
Check out the list of Supported Boards.
Once you have picked a suitable board, there are links to order it. Do make sure you pick a 433MHz band Board
We chose the Heltec 433Mhz V3.2 Board
The Flashing of the Firmware is very similar to that of the tracker board – for the config, you need to get an APRS Pass code
We recommend going to https://apps.magicbug.co.uk/passcode/
Again, use the correct freq for your country (see above)
If you are planning to run your APRS Digipeater / Igate 24 x 7 (which I hope you are), you need to complete a frequency clearance certificate, which allows you up to 5watts by going to the https://rsgb.online/etccsecureforms/self_declare1.php
The Process is fairly self-explanatory; however, if you need help, do ask.
All you need to do is sort out a 433MHz antenna (one is supplied); however, I am sure you will want a better one and also to get your device
high up. Why not build your own antenna?