Post Install.........Final Part

I can safely say that this project was fun, and version two of this is already in my head. I do think Ill wait a while though before I change things and enjoy the fruits of my labor. The console is now officially in the car, and aside from trying out the cell phone chargers, its working like a charm.

The console contains:

2 - Pro-Mini328 Arduino compatible MCUs ( one runs the time/temp, the other the GPS)
2 - cell phone chargers  ( one offering a cigarette lighter type, the other USB)

All the switches. Those controlling 12V are lighted.
1 - ICOM2100H 144MHz radio for APRS broadcasts

Power distrubution

2 - Self designed 2A 5V power supplies

Also included in this install

1 - 144Mhz collinear whip antenna
1 - GPS unit/ self designed 3.3V power supply
1 - Byonics APRS Tinytrak3 GPS encoder

Initial test show that my 1second updates to the LCD screens are more than enough to show an near real time position indication. I cross checked this against my Yeasu350 and they are both dead on. Its kinda nice now to have near real time readout of position, as well as other features in the car.

Final thoughts:

After working on this I think that I would have used a different medium for the actual console shell. You can see in the final picture above that the wood has imperfections on the milling process, and additional sanding on my behalf still left some " hills and valleys" in the side of the console. Im opting for an all plexiglass body in the next version.

Wiring: The wiring started out neat and looked good, but when I added in the GPS cable, and and the pigtails to power the unit from the car, I could have done better. There are no " barely hanging wires", or possible shorts or problems , " just waiting to happen, but I dont like being rushed and the wiring can be done better with more time. You dont see any of this because its inside the console shell, but I know its there :-)

I was glad I added a switch for the 20x4 LCD back light. I tested this at night, and the large LCD is VERY BRIGHT! I knew this going in, and added the switch so that while driving at night, it can be turned off and on as needed, but not disturb the driver.

Lock up time on the GPS ( not pictured but its in its enclosure on the dash) is fast. Way faster than when I was testing in my house. Its around 30 seconds from a cold boot. It often locks up before I leave the driveway.

What about performance? On 25watts, I am able to reach the distant digipeater. The 6dbi gain of the collinear antenna makes up for the lower power Im using. The first morning commute test run of the system was good

I dont have great coverage in the town I live in due to hills, but once I got out of town I was able to access the APRS digipeater and get my position reported in the system! Im taking a long trip in a few days...time will tell.

All in all this was fun, there is a lot of room for improvement, but it was a great project to meld together, arduinos, GPS, cars and amateur radio all in one project. Look for Version 2 of this in the coming months, but for now, I think its pretty cool!

Happy coding!