Getting Started

Required Materials

To get started, users will need a few items. Now some users may have a few of these items, feel free to modify your cart accordingly.

• Satellite Transceiver Function Board - Swarm M138
• Satellite Transceiver Breakout - Swarm M138
• SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Single
• SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Double
• SparkFun MicroMod Artemis Processor
• SparkFun MicroMod ESP32 Processor
• GPS/GNSS Magnetic Mount Antenna - 3m (SMA)
• Interface Cable SMA to U.FL
• Magnetic Mount SMA - 2m
• SMA Male to SMA Female - 10m (RG174)
• USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot - The Main Board USB interface serves two purposes: it powers the board and allows users to upload programs. (*If your computer doesn't have a USB-A slot, then choose an appropriate cable or adapter.)
• Computer with an operating system (OS) that is compatible with all the software installation requirements.

Satellite Transceiver Function Board - Swarm M138 SPX-20107	Satellite Transceiver Breakout - Swarm M138 SPX-19236
SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Single DEV-18575	SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Double DEV-18576

Li-Po Battery

For mobile applications, users will want to pick up a single-cell LiPo battery from our catalog. Below, are a few available options:

Lithium Ion Battery - 2Ah PRT-13855

Lithium Ion Battery - 400mAh PRT-13851

Lithium Ion Battery - 1Ah PRT-13813

Jumper Modification

To modify the jumpers, users will need soldering equipment and/or a knife.

Solder Lead Free - 100-gram Spool TOL-09325

Weller WLC100 Soldering Station TOL-14228

Chip Quik No-Clean Flux Pen - 10mL TOL-14579

Hobby Knife TOL-09200

Note

New to jumpter pads? Check out our Jumper Pads and PCB Traces Tutorial for a quick introduction!

How to Work with Jumper Pads and PCB Traces

Suggested Reading

As a more professionally oriented product, we will skip over the more fundamental tutorials (i.e. Ohm's Law and What is Electricity?). However, below are a few tutorials that may help users familiarize themselves with various aspects of the board.

Satellite Transceiver Breakout - Swarm M138 - Hookup Guide
Installing the Arduino IDE	Installing Board Definitions in the Arduino IDE	Installing an Arduino Library
How to Install CH340 Drivers	How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering	How to Work with Jumper Pads and PCB Traces
Serial Communication	Analog vs. Digital	Pulse Width Modulation
Logic Levels	I2C	Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

One of the new, advanced features of the MicroMod Main Boards is that they take advantage of the Qwiic connect system. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the Logic Levels and I²C tutorials. Click on the banner above to learn more about Qwiic products.