This is a standalone CATS transceiver, designed to be used in mobile installations. It can also be used as a standalone digipeater station. For information on CATS, the packet radio standard, see here: https://cats.radio/pages/mobile-transceiver.html

Features

• Integrated GPS, with port for optional external antenna
• Configurable using serial terminal software - no extra software required
• Transmits location, voltage, transmitter temperature on a configurable cadence
• Black hole setting allows disabling location transmissions in a specified geofence
  • Useful for privacy and to prevent transmitting exact home or work address
• Can be configured to turn off at a threshold voltage
  • Switches back on automatically when voltage level rises
  • Useful to prevent an always-connected CATS transceiver from draining car battery
• Fully integrated digipeater
• 1W transmit power
  • With CATS coding gains, this is equivalent to a much more powerful APRS transmitter
• 6-18V DC input
• Input power regulation suppresses harsh automotive electrical noise and transient spikes

Warning: Do not run the mobile transceiver without a properly matched antenna or dummy load connected. Failure to do so could result in transmitter failure!

Reception

CATS is in fairly early stages, so your area probably doesn't have coverage. Most people work around this by also purchasing a CATS I-Gate board and installing it on a Pi for reception. As the network continues to grow, this will become less of an issue.

Case

The case is 3D-printed ABS. This material was chosen to withstand being inside a hot summer car. The case is primarily meant as a structural component. It may have small blemishes or minor warping around the corners.

Shipping

Shipping is done on roughly a weekly cadence.