Mini Tracker

I created a new project using different components and modules:

https://hackaday.io/project/165955-utracker 

For all the people following this project, deadline is on my head and I can not make this modem connects with the network, I made the last try and the answer is negative, the project are moving with or without the contest.

wait for the news...

Well, like the old people said, in the bad moments is when you know the good guys, I made a big effort trying to connect the modem to the network, I was to the mall looking for T-Mobile stand and asking for eSIM and then is this guy Raul (yes he name is Raul too) this guy looks interested and told me that T-Mobile do not sells eSIM's but he knows a guy (Carlos) that repair phones in Laredo TX and maybe he can give me one of this eSIM's, on the way I'll been thinkin that I could desolder the eSIM from the tracker and then wire a normal SIM so I told Carlos my situation and I have just let myself in to the site and use ur tools

Unfortunately the modem don't turn on and I leave the other modems in Mexico so... yes...

At least I'm leaving with the satisfaction that I did what was within my reach and a little more.

I need to thank the Tech Guys in Laredo Texas for they help and Raul to put me in contact with them.

all the people thats follow this project from beginning knows that i'm doing everything to finish this until the deadlines arrives, today I drive from Mexico to Texas USA to test the NB1 Network but my eSIM can't connect with T-Mobile because don't have a contract or something.

Im seating out of the taco tote with my friend Rafael, I'm a little sad because I know that I have a limited options, I can buy a M66 modem that is GSM/GPRS and pin compatible with BC68 but this option is at least 6 or 7 days I don't know if t-mobile can sells me an eSIM and if they can, I think 2 or 3 days is the delivering time

I'm not abandoning the project, I'm just have my foot's on the earth and know that is possible that I can't be ready in two days.

I received today this box from the guys of make mike (3D printers) with the little case that I designed for the square inch tracker

As you can note I placed the magnets also place the screws to close the lid.

Everything looks fine until I try to connect the tracker to the network, looks like my friends don't told me the truth about NB1 Network in Mexico.

I ask for the network status and the answer is 0,2 that means I'm not registered and is searching for the network, when I check COPS command answers that no networks availables 

looks like I designed a device that can't works in my country.

moving on... this saturday I will travel two hours heading to the south Texas, NB1 are working since last year with T-Mobile.

Meanwhile I will write the code and test de GPS module.

looks like everything is working, I plug the usb and the FTDI creates the VCP correctly then I download a firmware to blink the led and the led blinking, finally  I wrote this quick function that receive chars and search the sequence "hello" if found returns the sequence "hello world!"

I just download the firmware and click run, then I type in my computer hello and this is the answer that the square inch tracker sends to me.

I don't think I can sleep tonight, I will keep awake until I hit the keyboard with my face.

UPS guy bring happiness to my project and my day, MCU and USB finally are in my hands.

Now I need solder the components and I hope that the E1 recognize it.

I've been thinking about the applications for this, the only purpose of this device are track things so, if I need to track my bicycle or my car or whatever that can be placed with magnets, for that application we need a box with magnets.

for that reason I started to design this little case with magnets for the square inch tracker

I can send to the 3d printer the case and the device looks like this:

top and base are separated

closed.

this is the bottom view of the case, you can see the space for the magnets and the holes for 4 screws that closes the lid from bottom

I will use this magnets and 4 screws as shown in the picture, I don't know yet what screws and nuts I could use for the magnets.

Maybe tomorrow I can design a case for a leash so I can use with my dog or my cat... better the dog.

I've been talking with some friends that knows people from the networks carriers in Mexico and I have a big surprise because they told me TELCEL have NB1 working in some important cities, well  my city is an important one so maybe is not necessary cross the border into Texas to test the device.

for that reason I decided start to configure a server, I have this CINTERION development kit for that job.

please dont think Im rich, Im not :( but the people from GEMALTO gave to me this kit to test because the company for I work are using modules from others providers so they want we buy their modules... anyway.

I will configure this module like a server, so I will receive all the data from the square inch tracker into this device.

I received another good news and are that the MCU and USB can arrive today by the end of the day.
Maybe I can finish before the deadline.