How to setup a TinyGS station

TinyGS @tiny__GS is an open network of Ground Stations distributed around the world to receive and operate LoRa satellites, weather probes and other flying objects, using cheap and versatile modules. The project is based on the popular ESP32 boards.

The difference from the SatNOGS network is that you can only use the ESP32 LoRa boards with specific frequency range but on the other hand it is much more simple to setup.

So is this amateur radio with satellites? No, not at all, but it is a fun and very simple way to start listening on UHF satellites and maybe some can get interested in ham radio after setting up a station.

This is the way I set up everything and did my first test. It is not a full instruction, you can found everything you need at the TinyGS wiki:

1. First order a LoRa32 module. 433 MHz is the most used frequency so order that one. Note that the module also covers 400 MHz. I got mine from LILYGO official store on AliExpress.
   
2. In order to register on TinyGS you need to have a Telegram account. So register and join the TinyGS community.
3. Still waiting for the LoRa32 module? Then read the TinyGS wiki and be prepared before the installation.
4. When you get the LoRa32 module, go to https://installer.tinygs.com/ and just follow the instructions on that page. I followed Automatic Setup that includes how to setup a new station.
   If everything works fine you get this message:
   
   
5. I recommend that you change the admin password of the station dashboard to your own.
   You can find it via the User Console -> Click on you station -> Click on the IP-address (Local IP) and then -> Configure parameters
6. If you have a TTGO LoRA 32 v2 you have to change the board type. According to the wiki: “…if you have this board, probably it is not detected automatically and you have to select it on the config panel manually. If you don’t do so the Lora communication will not work.”
   
   
7. Connect the LoRa board to an antenna. I just connected it to my UHF Yagi. Then wait a while to see if you get any data from satellites…
   
   

Hopefully in the next hours you will see that you have received satellites data!