IoT Kits

IoT Kits© are easy to build and are a great introduction to the Internet of Things, sensors, and microcontrollers. All parts are supplied and all software is free.

To build a kit, you should have:

  • an intermediate level of soldering skill,
  • the ability to install software on a personal computer,
  • familiarity with basic text editing (cut & paste), and file manipulation (unzipping files, moving folders),
  • WiFi and access to the Internet,
  • some basic tools (wire cutters & screwdriver),
  • a Micro USB cable.

Available IoT Kits:

Solar-powered, wireless weather station (single-board version)

The D1M-WX1 is a completely wireless, solar-powered weather station using your WiFi for connection to the Internet. It reports barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, and light intensity to ThingSpeak, a free Internet of Things service. Licensed radio amateurs can also post data to APRS-IS.

Single Board Weather Station

Single Board Weather Station

Solar-powered, wireless weather station (stacked version)

The D1S-WX1 has exactly the same features as the D1M-WX1 in a three-shield stacked version: LiPo cell charger, D1 Mini, and sensor board. The shields are compatible with the D1 Mini microcontroller.

D1S-WX1 Stacked Version

Remote display

The remote display is a companion kit for the solar-powered weather stations. Currently, it displays data from IoT Kits using the amateur radio APRS-IS network. Firmware is under development to allow the use of other weather sources so that non-radio operators can enjoy the same features. In addition to weather information, it displays accurate local and Universal Time obtained from a Net Time Protocol Server. It automatically adjusts for Daylight Saving time. The display is a full color, 1-inch (25 mm) square TFT device mounted on a D1 Mini-style shield. The IoT Kits firmware displays in five-second intervals,  an analog clock showing local time, a digital clock with local and UTC times, weather, and telemetry data from your D1M-WX1 kit. It will display an APRS message until acknowledged when the user presses a reset button.

General Assembly Instructions

These assembly and programming instructions are for IoT Kits© purchased after May 2018. Legacy instructions are at http://w4krl.com/solar-powered-weather-station/

Permanent link to this article: https://w4krl.com/iot-kits/

1. Order an IoT Kit

To order a kit, send e-mail to info@w4krl.com. Identify the kit numbers and quantities. Include your name, shipping address, e-mail address, and callsign if licensed. I will reply with an invoice payable by credit card or PayPal. Shipping will be combined to reduce your cost.

2. Prepare the Arduino IDE

The Arduino IDE is an easy-to-use C++ compiler specially adapted to programming Arduino-compatible microcontrollers. You do not actually need to know how to program because all the IoT Kits software is ready-to-run. The IDE will upload the IoT Kits firmware to the microcontroller used in the kits. There are many tutorials online. Try this YouTube tutorial from www.opensourcehardware.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDkdVZ7e3OY  After …

3. Download IoT Kits Firmware

Click on this link to download a zip file containing the latest IoT Kits firmware. FIRMWARE DOWNLOAD: D1M-WX1-IoT-APRS-2018-09-23 Use Windows File Explorer to unzip the downloaded file to a known location such as your Download folder. The zip file contains three folders.  Copy the folders to your Arduino folder. This is usually located in your Documents folder.  …

4. Open a ThingSpeak account

ThingSpeak is a free Internet of Things service that stores and displays data received from your weather station. ThingSpeak integrates support for MATLAB software from MathWorks, allowing you to analyze and visualize your station’s data using MATLAB without requiring the purchase of a MATLAB license. https://www.mathworks.com/videos/introduction-to-thingspeak-107749.html Steps to open an account Open thingspeak.com in your browser. Click …

5A. Assemble Single Board Solar-Powered Weather Station

Hardware Assembly  Assemble the board starting with the lowest components and work up: Resistor, 2 slide switches, socket for the PANEL, headers for CELL (2p), I2C (4p), LOCAL (2p), TP4056 (4 x 1p), female sockets for the D1 Mini, BH-1750, and BME280. Solder the headers to the underside of the BME280. The pins should be …

5B. Assemble Stacked Version Solar Powered Weather Station

Hardware Assembly Stacked Shield Version Use the photos as guides. The orientation of the breakout boards and LiPo cell connections are critically important. Use good quality small gauge rosin-core solder. Keep the iron tip clean and tinned. Solar Charger Shield D1S-LiSo Refer to the photo. <To Be Added> Assemble the board starting with the lowest …

5C. Assemble Remote Display

The remote display is a companion kit to the APRS weather station. It will receive weather and telemetry information from your weather station over the APRS-IS system. A version using an IoT service is in development for people not holding an Amateur Radio license. Assemble the Kit: Press the female headers with the short pins …

6. Try MATLAB Scripts

ThingSpeak can be used “right out of the box” to display the raw data from your weather station. MATLAB gives you the ability to analyze your data and present it in different ways. Here is a selection of MATLAB Visualizations for ThingSpeak addins that may be used with the IoT Kits to display the weather data in different …

7. Explore How IoT Kits Work

More to come!