What It Is: A rifle-style handheld device that combines long-range LoRa communication (2km+) with real-time radar tracking (5m precision) – all built from scratch for under £200. Designed initially for a high-altitude CANSAT competition, I later added lots of extra features.

Key Features: 

✔ Dual-Function RF System: Acts as both a data transceiver (LoRa) and pulsed radar (868MHz time-delay ranging) 

✔ Precision Tracking: Gyro-stabilized targeting calculates X/Y/Z coordinates of moving objects 

✔ Portable Design: Rifle ergonomics with hot-swappable batteries (11,000mAh) and water-resistant casing

 ✔ DIY Antenna: Custom 14.5dBi Yagi-Uda array (simulated in CST, hand-built with 3D-printed mounts) 

✔ Python firmware: Raspberry Pi 3 processes radar data with Python (GitHub repo coming soon)

This device is Cheaper/lighter than commercial FMCW radar systems (£500+), yet achieves 5m tracking precision.

It has a modular design to allow specific parts to be replaced easily.

Technical Highlights:

• Antenna: 8-director Yagi with angled reflectors (860mm length, 18dB front-to-back ratio)
• Radar: Time-of-flight calculations with 50ns pulse resolution
• Hardware UI: Laser-cut acrylic control panel with LCD screen and control switches

Build Time: 300 hours | Cost: £185 | Weight: 2.4kg