iGateMini

Last Update: 5/19/25

As an avid APRS fan, the latest project is a self-contained VHF APRS device. It can be used as a Digipeater, receiver and/or transmitter to send packets to the APRS network.

• Connect with WiFi
• Web interface
• USB Powered
• Report to APRS
• Digipeater
• Beacon
• Easy APRS messaging
• Use as a Satgate
• Live monitor
• Built in GPS

Much More Than an iGate!

A self-contained VHF APRS device. It can be used as a Digipeater, receiver or transmitter to send packets to the APRS network.

• 1. Digipeater: This functionality allows the device to act as a repeater for APRS packets, receiving data and retransmitting it to extend its range or reach other stations.
• 2. Receiver: The device can monitor APRS packets from the network and display or process them for tracking, situational awareness, or logging purposes.
• 3. Transmitter: In this mode, it sends packets to the APRS network. For example, it might broadcast location data, weather information, or messages.

Also works as a satellite APRS gateway.

The Designer’s Goal

APRS beacons are being broadcast all the time by drivers, helicopters, balloons and even the space station. But in order for them the make it to the internet there needs to be receivers or digipeaters to pick them up. Normally this requires a dedicated radio and computer. This is where the iGateMini comes in – the computer, decoding software and VHF receiver are all built in to the unit.

Take for example a driver making a road trip and beaconing their position along the way. Due to a lack of receivers there will dead spots and those beacons are simply lost. By having iGateMinis in every Ham shack we can greatly expand the coverage area and fill in all the gaps.

• 1. APRS Overview: APRS uses amateur radio frequencies to transmit beacon data (such as position, speed, and altitude) from a device, like a GPS-enabled radio or tracker, to nearby receivers. These receivers relay the data to the APRS-IS (Internet System), making it accessible globally.
• 2. Dead Zones: In rural or underserved areas with limited receiver infrastructure, beacon signals may fail to reach an iGate or digipeater, leaving “holes” in the tracking data.
• 3. The Role of iGateMinis:
  • iGateMinis are compact, affordable devices that connect directly to the Internet via a user’s home WIFI network.
  • They receive APRS beacons over local radio frequencies and forward them to the APRS-IS.
  • Since they are simple to set up and inexpensive, ham radio operators across different locations can deploy them in their shacks, effectively creating a denser receiver network.
• 4. Benefits:
  • Enhanced Coverage: With more iGateMinis, areas previously affected by dead zones are more likely to have APRS data successfully relayed to the Internet.
  • Improved Redundancy: By distributing the receiver network, reliability improves; even if one iGate is offline, others in nearby shacks can fill the gap.
  • Community Impact: Encouraging hams to participate fosters collaboration and enhances the value of the APRS system for road trips, public events, emergency coordination, and more.

iGateMini by CSN Technologies

Knut’s FIRST IMPRESSION

It works!!
During initial setup I have it configured as a Tracker and iGate in the car. Internet is provided by my cellphone’s hotspot. I have not traditionally liked using WiFi and hotspot from cell. My Openspot 4 Pro will not reconnect after cell outage, but the iGateMini recovers nicely – Kudos!.

The tracker works well. The turn logic seems good although it missed a few corners.
The iGate seems to be working, but I will put it to an indepth test later.
The RF Output was measured to be just short of 1.5w. I have the RF transmit part turned off but the receiver is on for the iGate. All my other trackers are 10w (which I find as minimal usable power) or higher. I assume you can add an amplifier.

I have suggested to CSN a couple of feature upgrades which can be added by firmware upgrade:

1. It has 2 WiFi profiles. I would like to see more.
2. I would like two APRS profiles based on speed would be slick – example:
   1. During movement, have it set up as a Tracker, and
   2. Stand Still for more than X minutes, change to DIGI/IGate.
3. Optional Ethernet Port – I love cabled devices for stability and simplicity.

Initial Impression

This shows a roadtrip from QTH counter clockwise to Woodbury Outlet Mall in NY and back to the Berks on backroads. A few areas with weak cell coverage are blank. RF was not used since the wife-mobile has no antenna.

The key to success was to systematically allow the iGateMini to “see” my iPhone hotspot.

With only 1w (measured 1.5w) RF beacons would not have helped in the no-cell areas.

This will be my GoTo iGate for Events and my initial rating is a 9 of 10!