Simple 2G telemetry modem for Mavlink telemetry from vehicles

Hwurzburg

Could this be modified to work in this system for telemetry only?....its light and cheap....2g Mavlink telemetry only... https://github.com/night-ghost/gsm-modem I would be willing to do the code mods, but I dont understand what network commands would be required to be sent to the SIM800....

Sinamics

Hwurzburg everything is possible but I don't see the benefit of using sim800 instead of a usb modem which is plug and play. Sim800 will also be restricted to a telemetry only system without the possibility to stream video.

Hwurzburg

Sinamics the benefit is that the modem would be perhaps <10g....a RPI + USB dongle is not only expensive >$25....but also very heavy....we need a cellular solution for telemetry that is neither more expensive nor heavier than a 3dr radio...if you could just stream Mavlink only to a cellphone running QGC, I think it would be very popular....all the systems I have found are very capable, but neither light nor inexpensive compared to existing radio based telemetry...the above system is a tiny SIM800+Arduino NANO...the SIM800 runs an AT command set...the code exists for setting up and controlling a UDP or TCP connection on the network...but what is missing is the network server to send the info to a cellphone or intenet PC running a GCS...your network server seems to be the solution if the NANO code could be expanded to interface the MAVLINK packets to it...

Sinamics

Hwurzburg In the early days, i was also using sim800 to just stream telemetry, using custom Ardupilot software to send the AT commands using UART connection. No need for Arduino at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV4_WlfTPq0

However, a Pi0w weights about 11g, and usb modem <35 g. If you remove the plastic body you would reduce the weight even more.

You pay some extra, but the system you get in total is much more robust in my opinion.

Hwurzburg

okay I am convinced to try it. so do any of the modems below work (some are not listed)? if so, which would you recommend?

https://www.amazon.com/Unlocked-Huawei-E397u-53-Worldwide-Required/dp/B0769Z7WVQ/ref=pd_day0_hl_147_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0769Z7WVQ&pd_rd_r=191a4ab2-cfdf-11e8-bdc5-8929d75e6129&pd_rd_w=sjb1F&pd_rd_wg=KVyKF&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=TS3MHA3TFCMASB331WPF&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=TS3MHA3TFCMASB331WPF https://www.amazon.com/HUAWEI-E3531s-6-HiLink-Modem-UNLOCKED/dp/B01BN9XQLQ https://www.amazon.com/Modem-Huawei-Unlocked-E303c-Caribbean/dp/B07486HRQB/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_vtp_ses_clicks_0_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07486HRQB&pd_rd_r=MGCXS5ZX8DNEY3XA56BH&pd_rd_w=2bwWE&pd_rd_wg=0rvvL&pf_rd_i=desktop-rhf&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=05d75987-58ed-4d36-bbfa-515cd87e4ee3&pf_rd_r=MGCXS5ZX8DNEY3XA56BH&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhf&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=MGCXS5ZX8DNEY3XA56BH

or can you suggest another one in the <$30 range?
thanks

Ahblair

Hwurzburg Be sure to check the bands of the modem. I personally use Google Fi for my LTE, and their bands are B2, B4, etc. Not all modems operate these bands. I ordered a Huawei E3372H-510, with the 510 designation being the proper submodel for my network's bands. Be sure to find your provider's bands and align two or more with the modem you buy. The cricket one you listed operates on the bands I use, as far as I remember. If you have any other questions regarding networks, be sure to ask.

Sinamics

I'm not home at the moment, but a good modem I can recommend is E3372H. Check the docs page for link to supported modems. H is hilink, S is stick modem.

Hwurzburg

fyi....E397 modem works fine as a stick modem(at least on telem)....using USMobile service....running ZeroTier as you suggested.....have learned a lot about networking over the last two weeks.....have also setup an openvpn server at home for my use when mobile and a pihole DNS server also to ad-block on another RPI....
thanks for your help