Dilshan R Jayakody’s Web Log

Ecowitt2APRS is a new open-source Linux service that I have been working on for the past few weeks. This project is designed to seamlessly integrate weather data from Ecowitt compatible professional weather stations into the global Automatic Packet Reporting System Internet Service (APRS-IS) network, transmitting this information in the standardized format of APRS weather packets. APRS, an amateur radio-based system, facilitates real-time tactical digital communications, covering applications such as GPS position reporting and the dissemination of meteorological data. Ecowitt2APRS addresses a specific need within this ecosystem: providing a lightweight and efficient method for weather stations to contribute to this data stream. Live data view from my Ecowitt weather station on aprs.to. The Ecowitt2APRS service is developed as a minimalist daemon for Linux environments. It ingests live weather data from Ecowitt compatible stations, converts it into the required APRS weather pac...

Recently I got an interest to experiment with NOAA weather satellite reception techniques. As a first thing, I did search on the internet for a suitable antenna for NOAA satellite frequencies (137.100 MHz - 137.9125 MHz). After examining a couple of designs, I decided to build a Turnstile antenna which is designed by Ivo Brugnera I6IBE . Due to the COVID19 lock-down, I build this antenna using parts that are already available in my inventory. Originally, I build this antenna on a wood-stick, and later I changed it to a stable setup as shown below. Assembled antenna for 137 MHz NOAA weather satellite receptions. Following materials and components are used for the above construction: - Two 8cm × 8cm × 6cm waterproof ABS project box. - 54cm long, ⌀ 21mm PVC tube, which is reinforced by inserting water resistivity wood stick. - 8mm thread roads. - M8 nuts and M8 flat washers. - 50Ω and 75Ω coaxial cables. - PL259 male and female connectors. Before constructing this ant...