GPS + Radio coms project for locating model rockets. Ongoing project files. Currently developed for AVR Nano MCUs.
7/24/26 Status: Working at 1Hz transmission rate with help from radiohead-arduino google group, https://groups.google.com/g/radiohead-arduino RocketTracker GitHub project https://github.com/AllanGallop/RocketTracker discussion page, Arduino forum Projects webpage, discussion on https://www.rocketryforum.com/. This version appears to have an issue which requires delays after the GPS commands to function correctly. This version is for 2 std AVR nanos.
8/13/26 Status: This version does not have the delays after the GPS commands, stopping GPS listening during the radio broadcast solved the problem.
Hardware:
GPS: "GoouuuTech GT-U7 Module, NEO-6M" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084MK8BS2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Is working easily with TinyGPS++ library.
Radios: "QCCAN 433mhz RF Transmitter and Receiver with Support ASK / OOK modulation" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLTSSMXH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title Are working easily with the RadioHead library - based on RH_ASK driver example.
Libraries required: SoftwareSerial, TinyGPS++, RadioHead/RH_ASK, SPI
I got about 110m range maximum on flat ground but it started dropping out frequently around 100m. I am now going to try upgrading to a small ESP32 module and LORA radios, adding an accelerometer.
See the RocketTracker library for the python app with map GPS location plotting.
