LoRa Wireless Tally Light

This is a Wireless Tally Light system for use with a GPO based switcher Tally.
Note: This project is semi-work in progress and probably will be for a while…
Scroll to bottom for updates!

Story: I go (went) to school for Broadcasting and Video Production. Right now we are kind of in the middle of tossing old equipment and getting new stuff (but as an institution, it can take literal years to get new stuff).
Out current setup that we use doesn't have any tally lights, which, among other things, is a kind of important things.
Additionally, one thing we do have, a wireless camera Tx/Rx, doesn't support tally (as far as I can tell).
Through all this, and me wanting to learn more about electronics (I'm most probably staying in school to do an electronics program), I though It'd be a cool project to make, albeit a large on for a seconds electronics project, and a first using micro controllers/Arduino.
This brings me here…

A Tally light system using the Heltec CubeCell Series of Dev boards and LoRa.
The Code/Built includes Compatibility with multiple systems working together (theoretically), repairing Camera Units with Bases/Switcher inputs, Rechargeable LiPo Batteries on the Camera Units

Features:

• Code Support for 99 tally Lights
• Programming/Pairing System
• Great Range and Low Power
• Rechargeable LiPo Battery in Camera Units
• M5 external mount with model to fit in Cold Shoe

Making your own:

Tools:

• Soldering Iron
• Hex/Allen Wrenches
• ~22AWG Wire
• Heat-Set insert iron tips
• 3D Printer
• Black for preferably dark-colored filament
• Translucent Filament

Parts (All links are direct non-sponsored links):

Base Unit:

• --HTCC-AB01-- Update1: Get HTCC-AB02 for base Unit (Heltec)
• Small Green LED (Aliexpress)
• RS232/DB-25/25 Pin Serial Female Panel Connector (Aliexpress)
• 6x6x~6mm Tactile Button (Aliexpress) (Any Normal Size should work)
• M3 and M2 Heat-Set Inserts (Aliexpress)
• M3x~10 Screws (Aliexpress)
• M2x~10 Screws  (^)
• Better Antenna (Optional, the HTCC-AB01 boards come with a glue rod) (Heltec) (Aliexpress)
• Proper Mounting Standoffs for DB-25 port (Optional, I just used some normal bolts)
• Small Rubber Feet (Optional)

Camera Units:

• HTCC-AB01 (Heltec)
• 10W Red LED (10W is definitely over-kill, but it fits and gives plenty of wiggle-room) (Aliexpress)
• Small Red LED (Same kit as Green LED above)
• SS12D00 Switch (Aliexpress)
• DC-DC Boost Converter (Aliexpress)
• 3.3v Transistor (IDK how much the GPIO pins can handle, but the 3V3 can handle 500ma) (Aliexpress)
• Simple Diodes
• M5, M3 and M2 Heat-Set Inserts
• M3x~20 and x~10 Screws
• M2x~20 and x~10 Screw
• M5x~10 Screw
• 3000mAh LiPo (Amazon)

Assembly:
Print the CamTOPs with a transparent filament to actually see the lights, and preferably print the everything else in black or some other dark color.
The insert spots should be pretty obvious.
There are 4 M3 Insets in the BaseTOP
4 M2 in the BaseBOT
3 M3 and 1 M2 in the CamTOP
and 5 M2 and 1 M5 inserts in the CamBOT

Wiring:

I am unfamiliar with how different Switchers handle tally, but I built this for a BPix Granite 2000 which uses a “Open Collector Driver with a Weak pull up to 5v”. I use a diode to block the 5v from getting to the micro controller and pull the pin up in programming and connect the grounds, making a closed circuit when the transistor in the Driver activates.

Camera Units:
GPIO5 - Tally Light Output
GPIO0 - “Power” Switch
USER_KEY - Pair Mode

Base Unit:
GPIO3 - Camera 1
GPIO2 - Camera 2
GPIO1 - Camera 3
GPIO0 - Camera 4
More Cameras have to be added in code
USER_KEY - Pair Mode

I've tried to make as much as I could held in with hardware (screws and such) but it seems I still need to improve.
With the current version, I use hot glue to hold the small LED (Although the wires normally hold it enough), the switch, the Glue Rod antennas used in the Cam Units, and the Batteries. And it has made it clear that it doesn't last long so modifying the models is definitely in to books at some point.

Notes:

• --I have not tested the range properly, but some minor testing it was able to cross a medium-sized parking lot while also going through multiple brick and metal walls so I'm not too worried about range.--
• I have done basic range testing and it seems adequate. I haven't done a “football field” test but it can easily punch through multiple concrete walls plus a moderately sized parking lot.
• I'm not a professional on electronics, this is my biggest project so far so nothing is going to be anywhere near perfect.

It took a good amount of work and learning but I still expect there to be much more down the line.

3/23/25: I have started work on a new Tally Light system. I have a name idea - “AirTally - The Open source universal wireless tally light system” where I will build everything from the ground up with brand new custom models, PCBs, etc..
It will take a while but stay tuned!

Future Updates:

• --Streamline code to more easily accept more cameras-- (See Update 1)
• --Get/Use HTCC-AB02 for Base Unit? (More GPIO and Fancy Display)--
• Modify (completely redo) Camera Unit 3D Models, Hot Glue is cool, but also sucks… Also make tops thinner for better translucence.
• Actually make better/proper mounting. (I'm just using Gaff tape for now because lazy)
• Come up with better/different communication “protocols”
• Probably Make a V2- Removable Batteries, Smaller Size, Custom PCB(?)
• Make diagrams for new base unit using AB-02
• Put current resistors for all LEDs (Cut me some slack, it's my first project)

Minor Future Updates:

• Make button stronger and less rattle-y on the Base (Fixed with AB02 case)

Latest Versions:

• Base Unit Assembly: v3
• Camera Unit Assembly v6
• Base Unit Code: v1.1
• Camera Unit Code: v1.0

Also, Hi Roland!

UPDATE 1:
I have acquired an HTCC-AB02 board and it's pretty neat. Especially the OLED display.
I have spent some (a lot of) time making a case and programming the display.
The case is way smaller and much more compact. (The old AB01 case is ~13x8cm while the new AB02 case is ~6x6cm)
The code for the AB02, in addition to code needed to support the display, has been reformatted to better support adding more cameras. (It defaults to 5, but the display shows (up to) 8 and it can take more, they just won't show on the display with the graphics I have put together)
As far as right now, the AB01 code is unchanged, but I recommend from now on using the AB02 for the base. It works better and is generally nicer…