Is it possible to have Dual Mode Mini Motus Station to detect Lotek and CTT tags? (we used simple Omni directional antenna to detect Lotek tags).
Any recommendations how to add and what kind of CTT antenna to a very simple Remote system (solar panel, car battery…etc).
Would mounting the antennas separately be necessary to avoid interference?
How far apart they should be?
Would we need to optimize the size/power of the solar panel and battery and/or use a simpler SensorGnome rather than SensorStation to save on costs if money is a barrier?
Thank you so much for any advice!
Eva Allaby
Wildlife Technician V
Threatened, Endangered and Diversity Program
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Fairbanks
Not a big expert but may try to address your qs. But before that may I clarify when you say “mini” what do you mean - How mini (size-wise) do you aim for? Or is it about mini=smaller cost or both size and cost?
Q: Is it possible to have Dual Mode Mini Motus Station to detect Lotek and CTT tags?
CTT sells SensorStation with both SensorGnome software and their own CTT receiving software (this board is pricey though). Do you want something smaller/cheaper and off-the-shelf? Not sure if this is possible unless you do your own assembly and perhaps own R&D to have a dual but you may be able to assemble own SensorGnome station based on Raspberry Pi (not sure if you can assemble a DIY CTT base station).
Q: Any recommendations how to add and what kind of CTT antenna to a very simple Remote system (solar panel, car battery…etc).
For 433 MHz products (I assume you mean) you need to choose an antenna depending on what you try to achieve. Could be any directional 433 MHz yagi (there are many suppliers) or if you aim for mini / cheapest probably any whip or a simple omnidirectional antenna could do but detection range will be small but design/cost/detection range is on your to find out.
Q: Would mounting the antennas separately be necessary to avoid interference? How far apart they should be?
It is always a good idea to separate antennas but how to place them relative to each other is always complicated and depends who you ask/frequencies/antenna designs. You may reach out to some engineers in antenna making companies eg this small company in the UK ( InnovAntennas ) or some North American suppliers you know. Best to ask a couple of companies.
Q: Would we need to optimize the size/power of the solar panel and battery and/or use a simpler SensorGnome rather than SensorStation to save on costs if money is a barrier?
If money is a barrier you prob looking into a small and self assembled SensorGnome based on Raspberry Pi but you would need to get in touch with CTT about receiver which is not SensorStation eg they may be able to advise on cheaper receivers.
Hope it helps a bit
Dmitry Kishkinev
PhD, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour
& Behavioural Neuroscience,
School of Life Sciences,
Keele University,
Keele, Staffordshire,
ST5 5BG UK
Hi Eva, do I understand correctly that you are asking about how to configure a “budget” Motus station with just two antennas, one for Lotek tags and one for CTT tags? If that’s the case you need to make sure the station can fulfill your requirements in terms of detection distance as omni antennas have much smaller range than the Yagis commonly used. Also, if there is a lot of noise coming from one direction (like a town) it affects everything. In terms of separation between the antennas I do not believe there are recommendations other than giving them a few inches at least. Also, don’t mount them right next to the pole.
This being said, you are likely to arrive at a lower cost solution by using a Raspberry Pi over a SensorStation, especially if you use the Adafruit board for the CTT receiver, but it somewhat depends on all the parts. In terms of battery you need to use an AGM or quality SLA (sealed lead-acid) battery, not a car battery. Car batteries (unless they’re AGM) are not designed for daily deep discharges and will degrade rapidly, you are actually better off with a smaller AGM than a regular car battery.
I hope this helps! (And that others with more experience chime in…)
I am sorry I was not more specific with my question; I will provide much more information next time!!
I am enclosing PDF with our “How to Manual” so you can see what our “Mini Motus Station.”
Basically, I was thinking on top of it have another antenna for CTT tags.
What did you mean - “giving them a few inches at least” and then you write " Also, don’t mount them right next to the pole" - how do you mean that?
But if you look at the manual, basically to make this DUAL, we could just have 2 Antenna’s stands with both frequencies Omnidirectional antennas and have them maybe few feet apart? Would that work?