T-Motion & Stratux Dongle Guide
The T-Motion is an ultra-compact USB-stick form factor LoRa transmitter. It powers the Stratux Dongle-our plug-and-play upgrade for adding TX capability to existing Stratux systems.
T-Motion Hardware Specifications
| Processor | STM32L073Z (ARM Cortex-M0+) |
| LoRa Radio | SX1276 with TCXO (868/915 MHz) |
| GPS Module | Sony CXD5603GF GNSS |
| Size | 78 × 25 × 10 mm |
| Weight | ~30g |
| Power | USB-A male (direct plug-in) |
| Current Draw | ~18 mA (active) |
| Connectivity | USB-Serial, 3.3V UART |
| Barometer | None (external BMP280 recommended) |
T-Motion vs T-Beam
| Aspect | T-Motion | T-Beam |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | USB stick (3-4× smaller) | Development board |
| GPS Receiver | Sony CXD5603GF | u-blox NEO-M8N (high precision) |
| Power | ~18 mA (10× less) | ~160-280 mA |
| Battery | None (USB powered) | 18650 holder built-in |
| WiFi/Bluetooth | No | Yes (ESP32) |
| Barometer | None (external recommended) | Optional (add BMP280) |
| Stratux Connection | Direct USB plug-in | USB cable or UART wiring |
| Best For | Simple plug & play TX | Full-featured DIY builds |
Stratux Dongle Protocol Switching
The Stratux Dongle (T-Motion based) can only transmit ONE protocol at a time. Unlike the Stratux Pro which transmits all protocols simultaneously, you must manually select which protocol to activate via the web interface.
Available TX Protocols
Open Glider Network protocol. Best for visibility on OGN live tracking and ground stations.
Flying Ad-hoc Network. Popular in paragliding/hang gliding communities. Includes messaging capabilities.
UK-focused protocol with strong general aviation adoption. Good for UK/Ireland operations.
FLARM-compatible legacy protocol for visibility to certified FLARM devices.
Note: ADS-L is NOT available on the Dongle. For ADS-L transmission, upgrade to Stratux Pro or Stratux Dual Pro.
How to Switch Protocols
- Connect to your Stratux WiFi network
- Open the web interface at 192.168.10.1
- Navigate to Settings → Transmitter
- Select your desired protocol from the dropdown
- Click Save and wait for the device to restart
💡 For most European pilots, we recommend OGN (OGNTP) as the default protocol. It provides the widest ground station coverage and integrates with popular tracking platforms like glidertracker.org and live.glidernet.org.
Need simultaneous multi-protocol TX? The Stratux Pro and Dual Pro transmit all 5 protocols in parallel-no switching required.
T-Motion Wiring & Integration
USB Direct (Recommended)Recommended
Plug T-Motion directly into Raspberry Pi USB port. Stratux auto-detects the device. No wiring required.
Pi USB ← T-Motion USB-A
UART Serial (Advanced)
For custom integrations, T-Motion exposes 3.3V UART pins (38400 baud, 8N1). Connect TX→RX, RX→TX, GND→GND.
T-Motion TX → Pi RX (GPIO 15) T-Motion RX → Pi TX (GPIO 14) T-Motion GND → Pi GND
💡 For pressure altitude reporting, add an external BMP280 sensor via I²C. The T-Motion does not include a barometric sensor. See installation guide
Best Use Cases for T-Motion/Dongle
Upgrade Existing Stratux
Add TX capability to your receive-only Stratux without buying a new device.
Space-Constrained Installs
Ultra-compact form factor fits anywhere. Perfect for tight cockpits.
Low Power Priority
10× lower power draw than T-Beam. Ideal for battery-sensitive setups.
Related Technology Guides
Get the Stratux Dongle
The Stratux Dongle is our pre-configured T-Motion module. Just plug it into your existing Stratux and start transmitting.
Disclaimer
Stratux is not certified aviation equipment. It does not replace a transponder or relieve the pilot of traffic awareness responsibilities. Use as supplementary situational awareness only. Dross:Aviation assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of Stratux devices, firmware flashing, or hardware modifications. All DIY guides are provided without warranty-use at your own risk.