Tracker3
The Tracker3 is the successor to the Tracker2 APRS tracker/TNC. It is based on the Freescale MCF51JM128 microcontroller, with a 32-bit ColdFire CPU core running at 48 MHz.
Tracker3 official product page
Contents
Tracker3 Hardware Variants
There are presently three products in the Tracker3 series:
OT3m - Standalone version in metal case with telemetry inputs and solid-state relay
T3-301 - Integrated 5-watt VHF transceiver
T3-135 - Plug-in board for Alinco DR-135T
T3-Mini - Tracker module measuring 1.72" by 1.12"
T3-Micro - USB dongle form factor tracker
This page covers material common to all variants. For hardware information specific to a particular variant, see the links above.
User's Manual
USB Support
The rear panel of the OT3m includes a standard USB 'B' connector. The USB functions of the Tracker3 are identical to those of the OpenTracker USB.
The USB port on the OT3m can be used for configuring the tracker with the otwincfg utility, accessing the command prompt, and connecting to a PC in KISS interface mode.
When the USB connection is in use, the tracker draws its power from the host system - no other connections are required for configuration of the unit.
Note that the OT3m does NOT act as a host device - the USB port is only used for connecting to a PC, and cannot be used to connect a USB GPS receiver.
Windows
Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and 7 require the INF file linked here to properly recognize the device.
For help on installing the INF driver for the device, please see the Windows INF File Installation article.
Linux
Most Linux distributions should recognize the OT3m automatically and assign it a name like /dev/ttyACM0. If the device isn't recognized, try the following:
sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x134a product=0x9000
Mac OS X
OS X should recognize the OT3m and assign a name starting with /dev/cu.usbmodem. If prompted to set up a dial-up device, hit cancel.
Other Operating Systems
The OT3m is a USB CDC ACM serial device with VID 0x134A and PID 0x9000. Most modern operating systems should include class drivers for this type of device.
Configuration
The tracker should always respond to the otwincfg utility, regardless of the operating mode. If otwincfg is already running when the tracker is connected, it should automatically detect and connect to the device. If the operating system assigns a COM port number higher than 16, you'll need to change it manually in the device manager.
A single setting controls the USB port mode. This setting appears as the 'USB KISS' checkbox in the port setup box in otwincfg, and as the command USBKISS from the command prompt. Setting USBKISS ON or checking the checkbox will set the port to KISS mode, for use with host programs like AGWPE and UI-View32. If the host program sends a KISS exit command, this option will be disabled and the USB port will return to command prompt mode.
You can access the command prompt through the USB port exactly like you would through the serial port, using the terminal program of your choice. Note that baud rate settings are ignored on the USB port.
When the tracker is connected to a PC using the USB port and the USBKISS option is off, the command prompt will be accessible only through the USB port and not through port A as usual.
Hardware Configuration Flags
Some hardware-specific behaviors are controlled by a configuration byte at location 0x005FFF in the tracker's flash memory (or 0x002FFF in firmware builds prior to 56398). Normally there should be no need to change this configuration byte.
Bit 0 - Reserved Bit 1 - Invert serial RX polarity Bit 2 - Invert serial TX polarity Bit 3 - Reserved Bit 4 - Reserved Bit 5 - FC-301/D radio present Bit 6 - KYL-600 series radio present Bit 7 - Reserved
The hardware configuration byte may be set using the PATCH command, in the form PATCH 005FFF01nn, where nn is the new value of the byte. For example, PATCH 005FFF0106 sets the TX and RX invert bits.
Scripting
The Tracker3 includes a simple scripting engine for automation and customization. See also Script_Examples.
