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Pipistrelle (current version 4.12L) is a unique self-build* electronics project, exploiting surface-mount technology and the high performance, low cost and rich functionality of the Raspberry Pi Pico to deliver the world's most cost-effective full-spectrum bat detector / 384kHz ultrasonic recorder. Listen to the extraordinary sounds generated by British bats and recorded by pipistrelle HERE. When assembled in batches of 10, each pipistrelle costs about £16 and takes about 15 minutes to build. So for a total investment of around £160 and a time investment of one morning and a strong mug of coffee, you can assemble 10 high-specification bat detectors / ultrasonic recorders. That's enough to kit up a small ecological consultancy, to lead local bat walks, or to provide much-needed environmental / ecological technology to a local school or natural history group. You can buy circuit boards and a solder paste stencil to build your own pipistrelles HERE. The cost is $5 for 10 blank PCBs, $10 for a frameless solder stencil, plus shipping from China, typically $20ish. The solder stencil you need to order is the NON-FRAMEWORK version, and is best in 0.10mm thickness. The PCBs should be ordered 1.2mm thick for best acoustic performance. They can be ordered in a number of different coloured soldermasks. Green is manufactured one day faster than other colours. The cost of 5 PCBs is the same as 10, and the extras will come in very useful when assembing your solder stencil frame. And if you decide to build more devices the unit cost drops because you can re-use your stencil indefinitely, saving $1 plus shipping per unit. You can buy components to build 5 pipistrelles HERE - component cost is (as of July 23rd 2023) just under £70+VAT for 5 pipistrelles, around £120+VAT for 10. If you do not happen to have any Sn63/Pb37 solder paste in the house, add THIS to your DigiKey shopping basket for another approx £10+VAT. One 50g tub of solder paste should make at minimum 20-30 pipistrelles. You may also need some solder wire as well to attach the headphone socket, button and battery holder - it may be that you can do this with solder paste, I haven't tried. Yet. You can download a deliverables package HERE which includes a combined assembly manual and user guide, Raspberry Pi Pico firmware, and software tools both as source code and as node.js cross-platform executables. You can download the free iOS App "Pipistrelle" HERE, and an Android version HERE. This app configures your pipistrelles for recording by passing over a selected device ID, the date, time and instantaneous location of your phone. The data is embedded in a short burst of modulated sound - the app generates a very brief "bzzt", and your device hears it and is configured. The iOS app works on iPhone, iPad and ARM (M1 / M2) Mac models, the Android app on compatible devices that support the Google Play store. Pipistrelle is part of a broader family of self-build bat electronics projects, details HERE. But take note, for the pipistrelle detector/recorder device this page is the up-to-date place to come for information. The information on the other pages is not updated as frequently as here. *IMPORTANT : the hazardous nature of the assembly process - a 260ºC hotplate, lead-based solder emitting flux fumes, hot soldering iron and sharp cutters - makes this project unsuitable for children. Indeed, any inflammable life form should not attempt this. Some previous electronics assembly experience is definitely preferred, and a steady hand and good near vision is a prerequisite for accurate placement of surface-mount components using tweezers. See the assembly guide (part of the deliverables download package) for details on the specific equipment that is required to assemble pipistrelles, some tricks and tips to maximise your chances of success, and even more safety warnings. Be careful out there. |
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