# TrackSenger

> Compact Meshtastic-compatible LoRa communicator with push-button keyboard, built around the Heltec Wireless Tracker with ESP32-S3, SX1262 LoRa, GPS, and a 0.96" TFT display for off-grid mesh messaging.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** Bobricius
- **Board Type:** dev-board
- **Price:** ~$30.04
- **Product Readiness:** diy-kit
- **CPU:** Xtensa LX7 dual-core @ 240MHz, FPU, HW crypto (AES/SHA/RSA)
- **CPU Architecture:** Xtensa LX7 dual-core
- **CPU Cores:** 2
- **RAM:** 512KB SRAM
- **Flash:** 8MB
- **USB:** USB-C
- **Power:** 5V via USB-C / 3.7V Li-Ion battery
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V
- **Battery:** 18650 (user-supplied)
- **Charging Port:** USB-C
- **Antenna:** U.FL/IPEX (LoRa) + PCB built-in (WiFi)
- **Display:** 0.96" TFT LCD 160×80

## Connectivity

- **Wifi:** 802.11 b/g/n
- **Bluetooth:** BLE 5.0
- **Lora:** SX1262 868/915MHz

## Open Source

- **Status:** open-firmware
- **Firmware:** Yes
- **Schematics:** No
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Compatible Firmware

meshtastic

## Use Cases

- lora-mesh-networking
- off-grid-communication
- gps-tracking
- portable-terminal
- field-data-logger

## Components

- **ESP32-S3** (mcu): Dual-core WiFi & BLE 5.0 MCU — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espressif.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocumentation%2Fesp32-s3_datasheet_en.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)
- **SX1262** (radio): LoRa Sub-GHz transceiver (863-928 MHz, +21 dBm TX, -134 dBm sensitivity) — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.semtech.com%2Fproducts%2Fwireless-rf%2Flora-connect%2Fsx1262&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)
- **uc6580** (gps): Dual-band multi-GNSS receiver (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, NAVIC, QZSS) — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fen.unicore.com%2Fuploads%2Ffile%2FUC6580x-00_Datasheet_EN_R1.5.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)
- **ST7735** (display-driver): 262K-color TFT LCD controller/driver with SPI interface — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.displayfuture.com%2FDisplay%2Fdatasheet%2Fcontroller%2FST7735.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **SPI**
- **UART**
- **I2C**
- **ADC**

## GPIO Map

| Pin | Name | Type | Functions |
|-----|------|------|-----------|
| GPIO0 | User button | — | — |
| GPIO1 | Battery ADC (ADC1_CH0) | — | — |
| GPIO3 | VEXT control (HIGH to enable GNSS) | — | — |
| GPIO8 | LoRa SPI NSS (CS) | — | — |
| GPIO9 | LoRa SPI SCK | — | — |
| GPIO10 | LoRa SPI MOSI | — | — |
| GPIO11 | LoRa SPI MISO | — | — |
| GPIO12 | LoRa RST | — | — |
| GPIO13 | LoRa Busy | — | — |
| GPIO14 | LoRa DIO1 | — | — |
| GPIO21 | Display backlight (LED_K) | — | — |
| GPIO33 | GNSS UART RX | — | — |
| GPIO34 | GNSS UART TX | — | — |
| GPIO37 | ADC control | — | — |
| GPIO38 | Display SPI CS | — | — |
| GPIO39 | Display RST | — | — |
| GPIO40 | Display DC | — | — |
| GPIO41 | Display SPI SCLK | — | — |
| GPIO42 | Display SPI MOSI | — | — |
| GPIO43 | Console UART TX | — | — |
| GPIO44 | Console UART RX | — | — |

## Available Software

- **[Meshtastic](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fmeshtastic.org%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)**: Open-source LoRa mesh networking firmware with dedicated TrackSenger target in web flasher

## Description

The TrackSenger is a compact, portable Meshtastic LoRa communicator designed by Peter "Bobricius" Misenko as part of the Armachat family of off-grid messaging devices. It wraps the Heltec Wireless Tracker V1.1 module in a custom multi-layer PCB that adds a full push-button keyboard for text-based messaging over the Meshtastic LoRa mesh network.

## Design

The TrackSenger uses a clever PCB sandwich design where the Heltec Tracker's built-in 0.96" TFT display is exposed through a cutout in the upper PCB layer. The upper layer provides labeled push-buttons arranged in a QWERTY-style layout for composing messages. The keyboard section can be detached and reconnected via a 12-pin connector, and two keyboard cover options are available.

## Connectivity

Built on the ESP32-S3 with an SX1262 LoRa transceiver, the TrackSenger supports long-range mesh communication on 863-928 MHz bands. The onboard UC6580 dual-band GNSS receiver provides accurate positioning with support for GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, NAVIC, and QZSS constellations. WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth LE 5.0 are also available via the ESP32-S3.

## Firmware

The TrackSenger runs Meshtastic firmware with a dedicated "TrackSenger" target in the Meshtastic web flasher (thanks to Thomas Gottgens). Support for the original Armachat platform is planned for a future firmware release.

## Availability

Available on Tindie in multiple configurations: bare PCB ($9.99), PCB with keyboard ($24.99), or fully assembled with Heltec Tracker board ($108.99). Also available on Lectronz.

## Related Projects

The MechSenger is a single-board variant by the same creator featuring a mechanical keyboard and a larger 2.42" OLED display, designed to fit in Peli-style waterproof cases for rugged field use.

## Where to Buy

- [Tindie](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tindie.com%2Fproducts%2Fbobricius%2Ftracksenger-armachat-meshtastic-wifi-lora-bt-gps%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export) — $9.99–$108.99
- [Lectronz](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Flectronz.com%2Fproducts%2Ftracksenger-armachat-meshtastic-wifi-lora-bt-gps&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export) — $30.04

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.armachat.com%2Ftracksenger-armachat-meshtastic-wifi-lora-bt-gps%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)
- [github](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fbobricius%2Farmachat&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)
- [datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fresource.heltec.cn%2Fdownload%2FWireless_Tracker%2FWireless%2520Tracker1.1.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tracksenger&source=md-export)

## Tags

`meshtastic`, `lora`, `off-grid`, `mesh-networking`, `gps`, `esp32-s3`, `armachat`, `communicator`, `keyboard`, `heltec`

## Images

![TrackSenger](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tracksenger/3275481de8f8.JPG)
![TrackSenger](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tracksenger/1bb31fc790e9.JPG)
![TrackSenger](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tracksenger/bb9e9705734a.JPG)
![TrackSenger](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tracksenger/c6be9d2b953f.JPG)
![TrackSenger](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tracksenger/39ce2a9ff8c3.JPG)
![TrackSenger](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tracksenger/10c32ba1679f.JPG)

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