BreezeDude Ground Station – FANET Gateway

Introducing the BreezeDude Ground Station, an open-source FANET gateway designed to bridge local LoRa® networks and the internet for real-time data exchange - ideally complementing your BreezeDude Mini in areas with insufficient network coverage. It serves as the vital link between remote FANET transmissions and online services, ensuring that wind and flight data from your area reach the global Open Glider Network (OGN) and related platforms in real time. Built on a powerful ESP32-S3 microcontroller with LoRa radio, this compact kit is ideal for paragliding clubs, outdoor enthusiasts, and tech-minded pilots looking to expand coverage and enhance safety. With a balance of technical reliability and user-friendly design, the BreezeDude Ground Station makes it easy to set up your own internet-connected FANET base station.

BreezeDude Ground Station – Key Features:

• High-Performance Hardware: Powered by an ESP32-S3 dual-core processor paired with an SX1262 LoRa® transceiver (Heltec Wireless Stick V3 Lite), providing robust Wi-Fi and long-range LoRa connectivity. This ensures reliable 868 MHz network coverage and seamless integration with existing FANET devices.
• Seamless FANET-to-Internet Gateway: Receives local FANET (LoRa) broadcasts — such as BreezeDude Mini wind sensor data or tracking signals — and forwards them via Wi-Fi to the internet. Nearby variometers and ground stations pick up the LoRa packets, and the BreezeDude Ground Station relays them to OGN in real time. This means your weather station and flight data become instantly available on global platforms, greatly enhancing live tracking and weather monitoring for all pilots in range.
• Safe & Flexible Power Options: Designed for continuous 24/7 operation with minimal power draw, it runs on a stable 5 V DC supply (pluggable screw-terminal adapter included). The power input features reverse-polarity protection to guard against wiring mistakes, adding robustness to remote installations. You can power it via a USB source, and an optional 5 m USB-A cable is available for convenient positioning.
• Open-Source & Compatible: Like all BreezeDude products, the Ground Station is fully open-source. The official BDGroundStation firmware is available on GitHub (source code is provided), inviting community collaboration and customization. The hardware is also compatible with the popular GxAirCom project, so you have the freedom to choose or switch between software platforms. This compatibility and transparency ensure that you’re in control – whether you stick with the BreezeDude software or experiment with other FANET/FLARM gateway solutions, the Ground Station has you covered.

The BreezeDude Ground Station plays a crucial role in the FANET ecosystem. It listens for LoRa-based weather and tracking signals in your area and bridges them to the internet in real time. For example, when paired with a BreezeDude Mini wind sensor, the Ground Station will receive the sensor’s broadcasts and immediately upload them to the Open Glider Network, where they become accessible on live wind maps and tracking services. This seamless data relay ensures pilots and enthusiasts can view up-to-date conditions from your location on platforms like OGN and GliderRadar. By deploying your own ground station – especially in areas with limited coverage – you help strengthen the community network, extend coverage (often up to ~20 km line-of-sight), and improve overall flight safety. Embracing open-source technology, the BreezeDude Ground Station delivers a blend of reliability and innovation. It’s truly plug-and-play: assemble the kit, connect to power and Wi-Fi, and join the network of FANET ground stations contributing live data to the cloud. Whether you’re enabling a remote weather station on a mountain launch or enhancing tracking in your local flying site, the BreezeDude Ground Station is your trusty gateway linking the sky to the internet.

Included in Delivery

BreezeDude Ground Station Kit

• Heltec Wireless Stick Lite V3 (ESP32-S3 + SX1262 LoRa module, pre-loaded with firmware) – provides the core Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/LoRa functionality.
• 868 MHz LoRa Antenna – for long-range wireless coverage (attaches via u.FL/IPEX connector on the Heltec module).
• BreezeDude Ground Station interface board – a custom PCB that the Heltec module plugs into, featuring an easy 5 V power input (screw terminals) with reverse polarity protection and connectors for I²C or analog wind sensors.
• Weatherproof ABS casing with mounting clamp for 48mm pole
• (Optional add-on: 5 m USB-A cable for power, allowing flexible placement of the Ground Station away from outlets.)

Each BreezeDude Ground Station Kit is assembled and tested to ensure all components work together out-of-the-box. Note: An internet connection (via Wi-Fi) is required for the ground station’s gateway functionality. No special subscription is needed – it uses standard Wi-Fi to forward data to free community networks (OGN). With this kit, you can set up your own FANET ground station in minutes.   Current lead time: 14 days Worldwide shipping available - for orders outside the EU please kindly contact us at info@neomium.eu.