F.A.Q.
A. Unfortunately, no. The LoRa APRS system uses 433.775 MHz worldwide (with some exceptions), while the legacy AFSK APRS system uses 144.800 MHz in Europe and 144.390 MHz in North America. Additionally, the modulations are different, so they are not compatible. You cannot use a LoRa Tracker with a 2m APRS iGate.
A. There are several reasons :) First of all, setting up a LoRa APRS iGate or Digipeater is easier and cheaper than AFSK APRS. Second, a LoRa receiver can successfully receive and decode a useful LoRa signal up to 20 dB below the noise level, resulting in a receiver sensitivity of a maximum of -149 dBm. This is a significant improvement compared to the maximum FSK sensitivity of approximately –125 dBm to -130 dBm. With the FSK receiver, the signal can only be successfully decoded if the useful signal is approximately.
Finally, LoRa modules have much better energy consumption compared to AFSK radio modules.
A. No, you shouldn't. The LightTracker Plus is shipped preloaded with LoRaAPRS software. All you need to do is configure it using the web interface.
A. It's also very easy; the most convenient way is the use Web (OTA) Firmware Update method.
A. If there are LoRa iGates in your neighborhood/area or a LoRa digipeater on a hilltop facing your location, you don't need to set up an iGate. If not, you should purchase two LightTracker Plus devices and set up one of them as a tracker and the other as the iGate.
A. Check out aprs.fi and look for symbols containing letter "L".
