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Setup Guides

Quick reference guides for common WarDragon setup tasks.

Quick Setup Checklist

First Boot

  • Connect antennas to correct ports
  • Connect power supply
  • Wait for boot (~90 seconds)
  • Connect via Ethernet or WiFi
  • Verify network connectivity (ping, etc.)
  • Check detection services running

Field Deployment

  • Charge/verify power source
  • Pack transport case with unit
  • Verify all antennas included
  • Configure hotspot if needed
  • Test ATAK connectivity
  • Verify GPS lock capability

Common Configurations

Standalone Operation (Hotspot Mode)

For field use without existing network infrastructure:

  1. Enable WiFi hotspot (see Hotspot Setup)
  2. Connect ATAK devices to WarDragon WiFi
  3. Configure ATAK for multicast (239.2.3.1:6969)
  4. Verify detections appear in ATAK

Diagram:

              ┌─────────────┐
              │  WarDragon  │
              │  (Hotspot)  │
              └──────┬──────┘
                     │ WiFi
        ┌────────────┼────────────┐
        │            │            │
   ┌────▼────┐  ┌────▼────┐  ┌────▼────┐
   │  ATAK   │  │  ATAK   │  │  iTAK   │
   │ Device 1│  │ Device 2│  │ Device 3│
   └─────────┘  └─────────┘  └─────────┘

Network Connected (Client Mode)

For integration with existing infrastructure:

  1. Connect WarDragon to network (Ethernet or WiFi client)
  2. Configure DragonSync for TAK Server
  3. Optionally enable MQTT for Home Assistant
  4. Configure analytics dashboard

Diagram:

   ┌─────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐
   │  WarDragon  │────►│ TAK Server  │
   └──────┬──────┘     └──────┬──────┘
          │                   │
          │            ┌──────▼──────┐
          │            │ ATAK Devices│
          │            └─────────────┘
          │
   ┌──────▼──────┐
   │ MQTT Broker │
   └──────┬──────┘
          │
   ┌──────▼──────┐
   │Home Assistant│
   └─────────────┘

Hybrid Mode

Maximum flexibility for diverse teams:

  1. Enable hotspot for local devices
  2. Connect Ethernet to network
  3. Route traffic between interfaces
  4. Field devices use hotspot
  5. Server access via Ethernet

Detection Services

All Remote ID protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth, UART/ESP32) are handled by a single unified service — zmq-decoder (droneid-go). DJI DroneID runs separately via dji-receiver.

Service Overview

Service Role ZMQ Output
zmq-decoder WiFi RID + BLE + UART/ESP32 (droneid-go) 4224
dji-receiver DJI DroneID via DragonSDR 4221 → 4224
dragonsync Aggregates 4224/4225, outputs TAK/MQTT —

Check All Detection Services

sudo systemctl status zmq-decoder dji-receiver dragonsync

Restart Detection

sudo systemctl restart zmq-decoder
sudo systemctl restart dji-receiver

Disable DJI Detection (if no DragonSDR)

sudo systemctl disable dji-receiver
sudo systemctl stop dji-receiver

Verify DragonSDR antenna connected to Left Side - Port 3 (RX DragonSDR).

Output Configuration

Edit /home/dragon/DragonSync/config.ini to configure outputs.

TAK Only (Default)

Simplest configuration for TAK users:

[SETTINGS]
# Multicast enabled by default
enable_multicast = true
tak_multicast_addr = 239.2.3.1
tak_multicast_port = 6969

# Disable other outputs
mqtt_enabled = false
lattice_enabled = false
api_enabled = true

MQTT Only (Home Assistant)

For smart home integration:

[SETTINGS]
# Disable TAK multicast
enable_multicast = false

# Enable MQTT with Home Assistant discovery
mqtt_enabled = true
mqtt_host = 192.168.1.100
mqtt_port = 1883
mqtt_ha_enabled = true

# Keep API for monitoring
api_enabled = true

Full Integration

All outputs enabled:

[SETTINGS]
enable_multicast = true
mqtt_enabled = true
lattice_enabled = true
api_enabled = true

Antenna Placement Guide

Mobile/Vehicle Mount

              ▲ Roof-mounted antennas
              │ (best LoS to sky)
    ┌─────────┼─────────┐
    │    WarDragon      │
    │    (inside)       │
    └───────────────────┘
  • Mount antennas on vehicle roof
  • Use weatherproof antenna bases
  • Run low-loss coax inside
  • Consider magnetic mounts for temporary use

Fixed Installation

    ┌─────────────────────────────┐
    │     Building/Structure      │
    │                             │
    │  Antennas ─►  ▲  ▲  ▲      │ Roof level
    │               │  │  │       │
    │               │  │  │       │
    │         WarDragon           │ Inside
    └─────────────────────────────┘
  • Mount antennas as high as practical
  • Clear line of sight to sky
  • Weatherproof all connections
  • Consider lightning protection

Portable/Backpack

       ▲ Antenna on pole/mast
       │
    ┌──┴──┐
    │Pack │ WarDragon in backpack
    │     │ Short antenna runs
    └─────┘
  • Use compact, foldable antennas
  • Short coax runs minimize loss
  • Consider directional antennas for range

Service Management

Check All Services

sudo systemctl status zmq-decoder dji-receiver dragonsync

Restart Services

sudo systemctl restart zmq-decoder
sudo systemctl restart dji-receiver
sudo systemctl restart dragonsync

View Logs

# All drone detection (WiFi + BLE + UART)
journalctl -u zmq-decoder -f

# DJI DroneID
journalctl -u dji-receiver -f

# DragonSync
journalctl -u dragonsync -f

Enable/Disable Autostart

# Enable service at boot
sudo systemctl enable dragonsync

# Disable service at boot
sudo systemctl disable dragonsync

Backup Configuration

Export Settings

# Backup DragonSync config
cp /home/dragon/DragonSync/config.ini ~/config-backup.ini

# Backup network settings
sudo nmcli connection export "WarDragon-Hotspot" > ~/hotspot-backup.nmconnection

Restore Settings

# Restore DragonSync config
cp ~/config-backup.ini /home/dragon/DragonSync/config.ini
sudo systemctl restart dragonsync

# Restore network settings
sudo nmcli connection import type wifi file ~/hotspot-backup.nmconnection

Related Documentation