Using RF to monitor location (cat)

[Test]

I'd like find out where my cat is when he is prowling around the neighborhood.

My plan is to attach an RF transmitter on his collar and use a home computer &
google earth to plot his movements.

What parts do I need and any suggestions are welcome as are pointers to similar
projects.
I can't spend too much money so gps is too costly. Accuracy can be +-3 meters.

I am thinking along the lines that maybe I can't cut down in size an Arduino or
Raspberry for his collar. I probably need a few boards with rf receivers attached
outside to select fixed poles to triangulate his position

 

[David Eather]

On Sun, 19 Jan 2014 05:51:29 +1000, Test <test@.nil.invalid.com> wrote:

I'd like find out where my cat is when he is prowling around the
neighborhood.

My plan is to attach an RF transmitter on his collar and use a home
computer &
google earth to plot his movements.

What parts do I need and any suggestions are welcome as are pointers to
similar
projects.
I can't spend too much money so gps is too costly. Accuracy can be +-3
meters.

I am thinking along the lines that maybe I can't cut down in size an
Arduino or
Raspberry for his collar. I probably need a few boards with rf receivers
attached
outside to select fixed poles to triangulate his position

Silicon Chip Magazine has just done a project for this sort of thing (DEC
2013 IIRC). The article is available online. The introduction is free so
you can see if you want it and there will be a photo so you can see size.
A PCB is always available. A kit may be available from Altronics.com.au
or jaycar.com.au

Any thing you build is probably going to be too big to fit on a collar, so
fit your cat with a fluro safety vest type thing and tape the tracker to
the back (of the vest, not the cat). No doubt the weight and this
humiliation of the cat will also reduce its roaming, so a win-win
situation, except for the cat.

Alternatively, this might do what you want:
http://dx.com/p/s5-multifunction-anti-theft-gsm-gprs-850-900-1800-1900mhz-locating-tracker-w-maps-black-209461#.UttQlUCtPWQ

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2014-01-18, Test <test@> wrote:

I'd like find out where my cat is when he is prowling around the neighborhood.

My plan is to attach an RF transmitter on his collar and use a home computer &
google earth to plot his movements.

What parts do I need and any suggestions are welcome as are pointers to similar
projects.
I can't spend too much money so gps is too costly. Accuracy can be +-3 meters.

I am thinking along the lines that maybe I can't cut down in size an Arduino or
Raspberry for his collar. I probably need a few boards with rf receivers attached
outside to select fixed poles to triangulate his position

GPS modules are like $40 from sparkfun, and that saves you the cost of
two poles two revceivers and two antennas.



--
For a good time: install ntp

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---

 

[Phil Allison]

"Test"

I'd like find out where my cat is when he is prowling around the
neighborhood.

My plan is to attach an RF transmitter on his collar and use a home
computer &
google earth to plot his movements.

What parts do I need and any suggestions are welcome as are pointers to
similar
projects.
I can't spend too much money so gps is too costly.

** You for real ??

Devices that use GPS and can send their location to your phone are cheap as
chips.

Check out Ebay.

Your mad idea will never work.


..... Phil

 

[Jeff Layman]

On 18/01/2014 19:51, Test wrote:

I'd like find out where my cat is when he is prowling around the neighborhood.

My plan is to attach an RF transmitter on his collar and use a home computer &
google earth to plot his movements.

What parts do I need and any suggestions are welcome as are pointers to similar
projects.
I can't spend too much money so gps is too costly. Accuracy can be +-3 meters.

I am thinking along the lines that maybe I can't cut down in size an Arduino or
Raspberry for his collar. I probably need a few boards with rf receivers attached
outside to select fixed poles to triangulate his position

Only just seen this thread. You might find this of interest:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22821639

--

Jeff