AHAC 2020 Workshop - CircuitPython, GPS and LoRa radios - M. Nelson and M. Plewa
Channel: Stratospheric Ballooning Association
Date: 2020-09-19

LoRa is a new radio modulation scheme that allows for long range communication using low power transmitters.  In recent years these transmitters have become available in a variety of prototype boards including Adafruit's Feather Wing boards.  These boards, when paired with Adafruit's M4 or M0 feather boards, allow for a very powerfully computing device with long range communication.  Recently, students at Iowa State University have been testing these boards on several high altitude balloon flights and the tests have been very successful.

This workshop will have participants learn about LoRa technology and also on creating your own tracking system that can be used on high altitude balloons.  We will use CircuitPython to program an Adafruit M0/M4 feather board.  We will also pair this with Adafruit's GPS wing which will give you a full tracking system in a compact package.  This workshop will be virtual.  We encourage that everyone purchase the components ahead of time so they can follow along with the workshop.  A full list of components and where to buy will be provided before the workshop.

Workshop Website - https://www.stratoballooning.org/ahac-2020-workshop