Building a GPS Emergency Beacon: A DIY Tutorial

Welcome to our latest DIY project: creating a GPS Emergency Beacon with a provided PCB. This device, ideal for hikers, adventurers, or anyone needing a compact emergency locator, sends a message with your GPS coordinates to a predefined contact at the press of a button. Let's dive into the assembly process, using our "Wireless RFID Card Copier" project as a reference point for our tutorial style.

Disclaimer

This GPS Emergency Beacon is designed for emergency situations. Use it responsibly and in compliance with local laws and privacy regulations. Ensure you have permission from your contacts to send them emergency messages.

Applications:

• Emergency Locator: Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts to send their location if they find themselves in distress.
• Educational Tool: Great for learning about GPS, GSM, and IoT technologies.
• Travel Companion: A helpful gadget for solo travelers in remote areas.

Building Guide - GPS Emergency Beacon:

Gather Your Tools and Materials

• Provided custom PCB designed for this project
• Wemos D1 Mini microcontroller
• GPS Module (e.g., Neo-6M)
• GSM Module (e.g., SIM800L)
• Push-button
• Micro USB cable (for programming and power)
• Soldering iron, solder, flux
• Tweezers or small pliers

Assembly

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Choose a well-lit, clean area to work in. Safety first!
2. Mount the Wemos D1 Mini: Fit the Wemos D1 Mini into its designated slot on the PCB. Ensure a snug fit and solder it into place.
3. Attach the GPS Module: Locate the specified area on the PCB for the GPS module. Align it carefully, ensuring that all pins are correctly positioned. Solder each pin to secure the connection.
4. Install the GSM Module: Similar to the GPS module, place the GSM module onto its spot on the PCB. Double-check the orientation and solder it.
5. Place the Push Button: This button will act as your emergency signal trigger. Position it in its labeled area on the PCB and solder.
6. Power Configuration: The Wemos D1 Mini can be powered via the micro USB port, which also serves as the connection for programming.
7. Programming the Wemos D1 Mini
8. The core of your GPS Emergency Beacon is the software that ties all components together.
9. Install necessary libraries in the Arduino IDE: for handling GPS data, GSM functions, and any other required utility.
10. Connect the Wemos D1 Mini to your computer using the micro USB cable.
11. In the Arduino IDE, select the Wemos D1 Mini board and the appropriate COM port.
12. Write or paste the code that handles GPS reading, button press detection, and sending the SMS with the coordinates.
13. Upload the code to the Wemos D1 Mini.

Conclusion

With this project, you've created a powerful tool that can provide peace of mind during your adventures. It's an excellent opportunity to learn about integrating different technologies like GPS, GSM, and microcontrollers. Enjoy your new GPS Emergency Beacon, but remember to test it responsibly in a safe environment before taking it on your adventures. Happy tinkering and safe travels!