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Quick Start Guide

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From zero to a transmitting beacon in under 30 minutes: parts, flash and first boot

Quick Start Guide

Tip

This guide will help you build and flash your first Aegis-Beacon in under 30 minutes.

Prerequisites

Hardware

  • ESP32 DevKit V1 (30-pin)
  • Ebyte E22-400M30S (SX1262 LoRa module)
  • SSD1309 2.42” OLED (7-pin SPI)
  • Optional: NEO-6M GPS module
  • USB-C cable for programming

Software

  • Arduino IDE or PlatformIO
  • Git for cloning the repository

Step 1: Clone Repository

CODE
git clone https://github.com/Leo-Galli/Aegis-Beacon.git
cd Aegis-Beacon

Step 2: Install Libraries

Arduino IDE

  1. Open Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries
  2. Search and install:
    • RadioLib by Jan Gromes
    • ArduinoJson by Benoit Blanchon
    • U8g2 by oliver
    • TinyGPS++ by Mikal Hart

PlatformIO

Libraries are auto-installed from platformio.ini.

Step 3: Select Board

Arduino IDE

  1. Tools → Board → ESP32 Dev Module
  2. Tools → Port → COMx (select your ESP32 port)

PlatformIO

CODE
[env:esp32devkitv1]
platform  = espressif32
board     = esp32dev
framework = arduino

Step 4: Upload Firmware

Arduino IDE

Open AegisBeacon.ino and click Upload (→).

PlatformIO

CODE
pio run --target upload

Step 5: First Boot

  1. Connect power via USB or battery
  2. OLED shows boot screen with version info
  3. Hold SEL button for 3 seconds to start WiFi AP
  4. Connect to AegisBeacon WiFi network
  5. Open http://192.168.4.1 in browser
  6. Configure your name, frequencies, and GPS settings
  7. Save and reboot into BEACON mode

Important

The first boot may take up to 60 seconds while the OLED initializes and GPS acquires a fix (if enabled).

What You Should See on Boot

Screen elementExpected value
Inverted headerAEGIS-BEACON v5.5
Subtitle lineBuild feature flags (SX1262, GPS, BTN, BAT, SSD1309)
Battery icon + %e.g. [### ] 87%
Status barINITIALISING... then mode name

If the display stays dark, check that the OLED is on 3.3 V (never 5 V), the software-SPI wiring matches the GPIO pin map, and that contrast/displayInit completed in the serial log.

Step 6: Verify the Radio Works

Before relying on the beacon in the field, confirm it actually transmits:

  1. Enter BEACON mode (short-press MODE).
  2. Hold an AM-mode scanner, SDR dongle, or a second Aegis-Beacon in SEARCH mode within 1-2 m.
  3. You should hear (or see, on an SDR waterfall) clean CW keying bursts on the configured frequency.
  4. With an SDR you should see a sharp carrier appear during each dot and dash — SX1262 CW keying switches the carrier on and off directly.

Tip

No receiver handy? Watch the OLED TX progress bar and the LED: in BEACON mode the red LED blinks with each transmission cycle. The serial console also logs TX done with the character count and duration.

Step 7: Emergency Mode Test (Optional)

Hold MODE for 2 seconds to enter EMERGENCY mode. The display switches to an inverted full-screen SOS, TX runs continuously at maximum power with the full payload, and no deep sleep is entered.

Warning

Only test EMERGENCY mode briefly (a few seconds) and with a matched antenna connected. Continuous +22 dBm transmission drains the battery quickly and stresses the PA.

Common First-Boot Issues

SymptomLikely causeFix
Hang on first radio callSX1262 BUSY not wired to GPIO 21Wire GPIO 21, see GPIO map
No OLED outputWrong SPI pins or 5 V on VCCRe-check wiring, 3.3 V only
SOS only, no GPSGPS disabled or no fix yetEnable GPS, wait for fix screen
Device resets in a loopWeak battery or brown-outCharge cell; check TP4056 output
Config portal unreachableWrong AP name or 192.168.4.1 conflictsForget network, retry; check OLED SSID/IP

See the full Troubleshooting page for deeper diagnosis.

Next Steps