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Build a
Configuration Adapter for your TT3 |
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Purchase a built and tested Configuration
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This site features how to build a configuration connector to attach a Tinytrak 3 to a PC so you can run the configuration software by Byonics.
Build a Configuration Adapter for your Tinytrak3
APRS is a registered trademark of APRS Software and Bob Bruninga, WB4APR. In the Byonics documentation Byon describes how to run the Configuration Software after connecting your Tinytrak 3 to a P.C. via a Gender Changer and a Null Modem. Those store bought parts could cost together about $20-$30 depending on where you find them.
The parts list is simply: (links to Mouser Electronics)
If you live in the Dallas area, Tanner Electronics Surplus has these parts for a little less $$. Including the plastic gender changer hoods. * Mouser calls the female a "receptacle" and a male a "plug". I am sorry if I am not "politically correct" in my web page references. Also, sometimes Mouser reworks their web page addresses so if the links are broken, just search their site for the part numbers. Let me know so I can follow-up and update the links. Radio Shack only has the battery snap as per their online catalogue.
Here is the inside view of a Configuration Connector. As you can see it couldn't be much simpler to build. I used a solid piece of tinned bare wire for my ground connecting Pin 5 & 5. You can use a regular piece of insulated wire if you wish.
Make sure you have the correct soldering points before snapping together the hood. I takes an octopus to get that thing apart if you later discovered you messed up.
One last thing. You must have J7 on the back side of the Tinytrak 3 solder bridged before you can use the 9 volt power from the configuration connector. J7 is described in the Tinytrak 3 documentation provided by Byonics.
J7 completes the power path from J1 pin 7 (the radio interface DB-9) to J2 pin 4 (the GPS DB-9).
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Here for just a few dollars you can build your own Gender Changer and
Null Modem in a single package. I also got the bright idea to include a 9
volt battery clip so as to provide a temporary power source while running
the Configuration Software. This beats having a mess of jumper wires
strung out across the work bench. Especially while reconfiguring the
Tinytrak 3 in the field where a power source might not be a convenient
thing to have. 
The
schematic is very simple. There are 3 wires internally. The first wire is
straight through from Pin 5 to Pin 5. Then there are two wires that criss-cross
from Pins 2 & 3 on each connector. I drilled a small hole for the
leads of the 9 volt battery clip to enter through and tied the leads in a
knot to prevent them from pulling loose from their soldered points. Drill
the hole nearer to the end that will be the Tinytrak end so you can
remember which end has the 9 volts on pin 4. The 9 volt battery clip
positive (red) lead solders to Pin 4 on the Tinytrak end and the negative
(black) lead solders to either Pin 5. Check your work and snap the hood
together. TADA! You're done! If you don't feel the need to have the 9 volt
battery power supply just simply don't include the battery clip. You will
need to provide power to the Tinytrak 3 for configuration.
Here
is a finished Configuration Connector attached to a Tinytrak 3 APRS
controller and my laptop computer. To test the connector the LEDs should
come on and go through their start up sequence after connecting the 9 volt
battery. Then while connected to the PC and the configuration software up
and running, click on "Read Configuration" and a small window
proclaiming "Tinytrak Found" should appear. Now you can complete
the configuration and when finished click "Write Configuration"
and then you should get a small window proclaiming "Complete".
And you are finished. Disconnect the connector and store it away until the
next time you need it to change the configuration.
