ULARI ECO Radio Interface Hardware
ULARI ECO Radio Interface is based on NanoPi Neo 1.4 512 MB module from FriendlyARM. The device consists of a microprocessor module and an HAT board (HAT stands for “Hardware attached on top“) with all necessary external components. The whole system includes:
Radio 6-pin minidin connector (Microsat standard, WX3in1-like pinout),
A 100 Mbit Ethernet connector,
USB connector,
RS-232 serial port (via 6-pin minidin connector),
DS18B20 thermometer connector,
Four SMD leds informing about device operation,
SD CARD connector for operating system image.
This is not a standalone radio transceiver. You need a proper VHF or UHF amateur radio station to use the device for packet transmission and reception.
ULARI ECO Radio Interface photos
Rear panel RS-232 port pinout
RS-232 port can be used to connect any serial port devices with RS-232 voltage levels. Devices with low current consumption can also be powered from this connector. GPS-RS232/Microsat/2 is compatible and works nice.
Pin 1 – 5V output, do not short-circuit, max. current 100mA,
Pin 2 – GND,
Pin 3 – hard-wired to negative voltage for WS-2300/WS-2350 weather station support,
Pin 4 – RS-232 Port 2 TXD,
Pin 5 – RS-232 Port 2 RXD,
Pin 6 – not used.
Front panel RADIO port pinout
RADIO port pinout is the same as in Microsat WX3in1 and PLXTracker/PLXDigi line of devices. Cables can be used interchangeably.
Pin 1 - not connected,
Pin 2 - APRS audio output from the device to the microphone input of the radio. This output also acts as a PTT by shorting pin to ground through a 2k2 resistor - an option for portable radios that do not have a separate PTT input (selectable in configuration software, 2k2 resistor is built-in),
Pin 3 - not connected,
Pin 4 - APRS audio input from radio to WX3in1,
Pin 5 - Ground pin,
Pin 6 - PTT output - if the external PTT output is selected in device configuration, this pin is shorted to ground while broadcasting.