Setting Up the BaseStation Plus -- All Versions

This information is modified from the Blue Robotics guide.

To complete the software setup for your BaseStation Plus, you will need the following components:

• BaseStation Plus (with included antenna and USB-C cable)

• A computer—most PCs and laptops running Windows 10 or newer, macOS, or Linux will work well. You can view the system requirements here. Android tablets, Apple tablets, and Chromebooks are not recommended and are currently not supported.

• We have instructions available for Windows. If you are using macOS or Linux you can adapt the instructions for those operating systems, found here.

• The BlueROV tether connects directly to the BaseStation Plus tether connector. It should work as expected after the network setup below — except you will now also be able to connect your laptop using Wi-Fi if you wish.

• It’s also a good idea to fully charge your BaseStation prior to starting the software setup process.

  1. Screw the BaseStation Plus antenna onto the antenna connector on the side of the BaseStation Plus. The antenna clip installs between the BaseStation Plus and the antenna. Orient the antenna so sticks straight up when in use.

  2. Unscrew the cover off the USB-C bulkhead connector.

     
  3. Use the included USB-C cable to connect the BaseStation to a USB power source. This could be a USB port on your computer, a USB wall charger, a USB power bank, etc.

  4. Press the charging button on the BaseStation panel to begin charging. You need to hold the button for about one second to turn it on or off. The orange indicator LED above the charging button and the battery status LEDs should light up to show that the battery is charging.

     

  5. The orange indicator LED above the charging button will turn off when charging is complete.

Configuration

Install SonarView, if not already installed.

Follow the Blue Robotics directions to install QGroundControl. Don't follow the other setup instructions at the link.

Network Setup

You now need to connect the BaseStation Plus to your computer. The BaseStation Plus can be connected to your computer wirelessly via Wi-Fi or wired using the included USB-C cable. Keep in mind that if you connect to the BaseStation wirelessly, your computer will no longer have internet access through that wireless connection. Connect the BaseStation to your computer using one of the methods below, you do not need to do both.

We have instructions available for Windows. If you are using macOS or Linux you can adapt the instructions for those operating systems, found here.

Network Setup using a USB Cable

1. Turn on the BaseStation Plus if it is not on already and connect the included USB-C cable to the Type-C port on the back of the BaseStation. You need to hold the button for about one second to turn it on or off.

2. Connect the other end of the USB-C cable to your computer. If your computer does not have a USB-C port, you can use a USB Type-C to A adapter.

3. Open the Windows Control Panel then select Network and Sharing Center. If you don’t see Network and Sharing Center, change the View by: option to large or small icons.

   
4. Select Change adapter settings from the left side menu.

   
5. The BaseStation has an internal USB Ethernet adapter, it should be displayed as “Realtek USB GbE Family Controller” in this menu. Right click on this Ethernet adapter then choose Properties.

   

6. In the properties dialog, click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to highlight it, then click Properties.

   

7. Select Use the following IP address And enter 192.168.2.1 for the IP address and 255.255.255.0 for the Subnet mask. Select OK. You can then exit this menu.

   

Network Setup Using Wi-Fi

1. Turn on the BaseStation if it is not on already.

2. Open the Windows Control Panel then select Network and Sharing Center. If you don’t see Network and Sharing Center, change the View by: option to large or small icons.

   

3. Select Change adapter settings from the left side menu.

   

4. Find your Wi-Fi adapter in this menu, right-click it and choose Properties.

   

5. In the properties dialog, click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to highlight it, then click Properties.

   

6. Select Use the following IP address And enter 192.168.2.1 for the IP address and 255.255.255.0 for the Subnet mask. Select OK. You can then exit this menu.

   

7. The BaseStation Plus creates a wireless network with the SSID “Omnitrack – 2.4Ghz”. Open the Wi-Fi network menu and connect to it. The default password is “OmnitrackAP”.

   

Verifying the Network Connection

The Omnitrack Wi-Fi Module will automatically connect to the factory default “Omnitrack – 2.4Ghz” BaseStation Plus network. If the BaseStation Plus network SSID or password are changed from the defaults, you will have to manually connect the Omnittrack to the BaseStation Plus. Now is a good time to verify all the connections are good and everything is talking to each other correctly.