Strato Flights STRATOfinder User manual

GPS Tracker to locate your
stratospheric probe
STRATOnder
Guide

Foreword
Thank you for your trust in our GPS tracker STRATOfinder and your interest in this
very special mission. We would like to oer you the opportunity to experience an
unforgettable adventure with breathtaking video recordings from an altitude where
no planes will fly and where the black of space and the blue of our planet become
visible - the stratosphere!
Stratoflights is launching stratospheric balloons since 2011. Our vision is to make
the stratosphere accessible to everyone. Whether for research flights, school experi-
ments, filmproductions or just as a family or adventure project - a Stratoflights is
pure fascination and a real adventure.
We want you to join the „Hall of Fame“ of STRATOnauts so we put together the
best equipment for you from our experience of over 1,000 stratospheric flights in our
shop, so that you can carry out your own mission in the stratosphere.
If we could not find the optimal equipment on the worldwide market, we have deve-
loped our own products with our engineers. So far, we have developed parachutes,
battery packs, data loggers and now the GPS tracker STRATOfinder according to
our own requirements and have them produced for our customers from all over the
world for a wide range of industries and applications.
The following guide will not only help you set up your STRATOfinder, but will also
provide you with numerous notes, pictures and useful tips for your mission. Howe-
ver, to fully prepare for your stratospheric mission, be sure to check out the tutorial
on our website. There you will also find helpful tools and our free Stratoflights app
that will support you with many extras for your mission.
We wish you a lot of fun, success and great video recordings on your stratospheric
flight adventure!
Your Stratoflights team

1 Inhaltsverzeichnis
1 General instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 Scope of delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Product view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2 Quick Start guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3 STRATOfinder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1 Charging Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2 Activation of the STRATOsim Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3 Inserting the SIM Card and Turning On/O the STRATOfinder . . . . . . 13
3.4 Installing the Stratoflights app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.5 Integration of the STRATOfinder into the Stratoflights app . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.6 Settings and functions of the Stratoflights app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.7 Adding more STRATOfinders to the Stratoflights app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.8 Optional commands for SMS operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.8.1 Request GPS coordinates via SMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.8.2 Check whether the APN has been set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4 Installation of the STRATOfinder and further information for your mission. 24
5 FAQ and troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
6 Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7 Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.1 Signal words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.2 Intended use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.3 Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.4 Battery operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.5 Electromagnetic compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.6 Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.7 Dangers for children and persons in need of assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.8 Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.9 Declaration of conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.10 Disposal of packiging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.10.1 Acceptance of returned used batteries free of charge . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.10.2 Separate collection of old appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.10.3 Batteries and accumulators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.10.4 Return options for old appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.10.5 Data protection notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7.10.6 Manufacturer registration number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7.11 General information about a stratospheric mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

7General instructions
1 General instructions
Before use: Before using the STRATOfinder GPS tracker for the first time, please
read this manual completely and with the utmost attention and follow the steps and
sequences prescribed here exactly to ensure error-free setup and operation. Please
keep this manual in a safe place. If you lose the manual, you can download it again
digitally from your customer account.
1.1 Scope of delivery
The GPS tracker STRATOfinder comes with the following scope of delivery. Imme-
diately after unpacking your STRATOfinder, please check the contents for complete-
ness according to the following list:
• STRATOfinder GPS tracker
• Micro USB cable
• STRATOsim card

8General instructions
1.2 Product view
The following product photos are intended to give you a first impression of the
STRATOfinder GPS tracker:

9Quick Start guide
2 Quick Start guide
To get your STRATOfinder ready for use, you can follow the quick start guide below:
• Charge the STRATOfinder using the Micro-USB cable until it is fully charged.
This will be indicated by a red light. Once the red light no longer illuminates, the
STRATOfinder is charged. The charging process may take several hours.
• To activate the STRATOfinder, you must first subscribe to the included STRA-
TOsim. You can subscribe to the plan through your customer account or using
the following link or QR code.
https://www.stratoights.com/en/activation-stratonder/
• Insert the STRATOsim into the STRATOfinder. On the side, there is a SIM card
slot beneath a cover. The STRATOsim will click into place with a light snap.
This will start the STRATOfinder. Only by removing the STRATOsim can the
STRATOfinder be turned o!
• The STRATOfinder now needs to establish contact with satellites. This might
take 2-3 minutes. Note that the STRATOfinder doesn‘t work indoors, under
roofs, in basements, or in close proximity to tall buildings, and it might provide
inaccurate position data. Therefore, it‘s best to activate the STRATOfinder out-
side with a clear view of the sky.
• Tip: Move around with the STRATOfinder and walk a few meters. This will help
the STRATOfinder establish a connection much faster.
• To use the STRATOfinder, you‘ll need the free Stratoflights app. It‘s available for
all common smartphones with Android and iOS operating systems and can be
downloaded from the app store.
• Open the Stratoflights app on your smartphone and select the „STRATOfinder“
button. Now, you‘ll need the IMEI from the STRATOfinder. This is located on
the device itself as well as on the packaging. You can then assign a „name“
to your GPS tracker STRATOfinder. Once you‘ve chosen a „name,“ click the
„Add“ button.

10 Quick Start guide
• If the IMEI is entered correctly and the STRATOfinder is in the powered-on state
as previously described, with an unobstructed view of the sky, your newly set up
STRATOfinder will be displayed on the map within the Stratoflights app.
• To add additional STRATOfinders, simply start again from the beginning.

11STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
3 STRATOfinder: Charging Pro-
cess, Initialization, and Activation
3.1 Charging Process
Before initial use, the GPS tracker STRATOfinder must be fully charged. To charge
the STRATOfinder, you‘ll need the included Micro-USB cable. First, carefully open
the right flap of the STRATOfinder.
Now, carefully insert the provided Micro-USB cable into the port. Next, connect the
USB cable to your computer or use your smartphone‘s USB charging adapter. Once
the STRATOfinder is properly connected to the power source, please continue char-
ging it until the red LED is no longer illuminated.

12 STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
Note: The STRATOfinder oers a runtime of approx. 3-4 days in nor-
mal conditions on earth, without charging in the meantime. However,
it should be noted that the runtime depends on the usage as well as the
extreme conditions of the stratosphere of temperatures down to -65°C.
The more the STRATOfinder is moved and the more position data is
sent and the longer the stratospheric flight, the higher the usage. Ho-
wever, the runtime of the STRATOfinder is by far sucient for an
average stratospheric flight of three to four hours including subsequent
recovery!
3.2 Activation of the STRATOsim Card
After the GPS tracker STRATOfinder is fully charged, it‘s time to activate the inclu-
ded STRATOsim card (also referred to as STRATOsim) so that your STRATOfinder
can be used.
The STRATOsim card is not an ordinary mobile SIM card: The STRATOsim opera-
tes globally and automatically connects to the best available mobile network in the
landing region. To use the STRATOsim with the STRATOfinder, the first step is to
subscribe to a suitable plan. You can either subscribe directly through your customer
account or use the following link or QR code.
https://www.stratoights.com/en/activation-stratonder/
After selecting the appropriate subscription, you‘ll need to enter the IMEI number of
your STRATOfinder during the activation process. You can find the IMEI number
on a sticker located on the side of your STRATOfinder or on the product packaging.

13STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
In the second step, you‘ll need to input the ICCID number of the STRATOsim card.
You can find this number on the card from which you removed the STRATOsim, or
directly on the STRATOsim card itself.
Once you have entered both numbers correctly, the STRATOsim card and STRA-
TOfinder will be paired, the STRATOsim will be activated for your subscription,
and the STRATOfinder will be activated. To activate additional STRATOfinders and
STRATOsim cards, the activation process needs to be repeated.
3.3 Inserting the SIM Card and Turning
On/O the STRATOnder
After the GPS tracker STRATOfinder is fully charged
and your SIM card is activated, begin by inserting the
SIM card into your STRATOfinder. Carefully open the
left cover for this purpose. Make sure that the SIM card
is in the Nano-SIM size, and thus in the correct dimen-
sions.
Slide your SIM card slowly and gently into the designated SIM card slot as shown in
the following illustration. Be sure to insert the SIM card correctly! (with the diagonal
corner facing forward and the contacts facing downward, see photo). Gently press
the SIM card into the slot until it clicks into place with a soft „click“. Inserting the
SIM card into your STRATOfinder will automatically turn it on. If you wish to turn
o the STRATOfinder, you need to remove the SIM card. We intentionally chose not
to include an on-o switch: In previous models, there were instances where the GPS
tracker‘s switch was accidentally triggered during installation into the stratospheric
probe. We aim to prevent this oversight and provide maximum security.

14 STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
After inserting the SIM card into the STRATOfinder, the GPS tracker will
initiate itself, searching for GPS satellites and simultaneously establishing
a connection to the mobile network for data transmission. To enable the
GPS tracker to establish a connection with the GPS satellites during ini-
tialization, it‘s best to take the GPS tracker outdoors and let it sit under
open skies for a few minutes to establish a connection.
Tip: Move around with the STRATOfinder and walk a few meters; this will signifi-
cantly expedite the connection process.
Now the STRATOfinder should blink in blue and green.
Blue LED: Constantly lit when the STRATOfinder hasn‘t yet acquired a
GPS signal; blinks when GPS positioning has been established.
Green LED: Constantly lit when the STRATOfinder hasn‘t yet connected to
a mobile network; blinks when the mobile network has been found.

15STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
Note: It‘s crucial to be aware that the STRATOfinder might NOT function
reliably indoors, within houses, basements, freezers, metal roofs, and similar
environments. Additionally, the GPS signal can be disrupted in urban canyons
and areas with tall buildings, just as with any navigation device. The GPS
tracker STRATOfinder requires „line of sight to the open sky.“ Installing it in
your styrofoam stratospheric probe presents no issues, as well as being near
other GPS trackers and electronic devices available at Stratoflights‘ shop.
After two to three minutes, the GPS tracker should have established a connection
to the GPS satellites and the mobile phone network for data transmission. In order
to be able to use the GPS tracker via the SIM card and thus via the mobile internet,
the so-called „APN“ must first be set in order to set up the mobile internet for data
transmission.
3.4 Installing the Stratoights app
To be able to use the STRATOfinder GPS tracker, you first need the free „Stratof-
lights“ app. This is available in the app store for all common smartphones with
Android and iOS operating systems.
Alternatively, you can scan the following QR code to start the download and install
the app.
Once the download is complete and you have installed the Stratoflights app on your
smartphone, open the Stratoflights app. The app provides you with the most import-
ant information for your stratosphere mission at a glance: Tutorials, various tools
such as helium calculator and flight route calculation, a checklist, the shop, contact
information, blog and the GPS tracker STRATOfinder.

16 STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
3.5 Integration of the STRATOnder into
the Stratoights app
In order to set up your STRATOfinder GPS tracker after it has been fully charged,
the activated SIM card has been inserted, the APN has been set and the Stratoflights
app has been installed, you will need the IMEI number of your STRATOfinder. This
IMEI number is a ten-digit number that you will find on the packaging or directly
on the STRATOfinder.
Now open the Stratoflights app on your smartphone and select the „STRATOfinder“
button. A window will open with the name „Add STRATOfinder“. Now you can
assign a name to your GPS tracker STRATOfinder. After you have chosen a name,
enter the IMEI and click on the „Add“ button.

17STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
Tip: You should give your STRATOfinder a unique name! For exam-
ple, „Stratospheric Probe“, or if you are operating two STRATOfin-
ders in parallel, name the second one „Parachute“, for example, if it is
attached to a parachute. This way you know exactly which STRATO-
finder is currently sending you the position data. If you are using two
STRATOfinders, it is best to label them directly on their cover to avoid
confusion!
If the IMEI is entered correctly and the STRATOfinder is switched on with a clear
view to the sky as described above, the STRATOfinder you have just set up will be
displayed on the map:

18 STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
3.6 Settings and functions of the Stratof-
lights app
The Stratoflights app oers various setting options, views and functions in the STRA-
TOfinder GPS tracker area, which are briefly described below:
In this green area, the position data is given in longitude and latitude and in-
formation is provided about the date and time at which the data was last sent
and whether, for example, the „movement“ of the GPS tracker has been stopped. If
the point no longer changes, the stratospheric probe has most likely landed at these
coordinates.
Use these symbols to zoom in and
out on the map.
Reception: If the STRATOfinder cannot receive a sucient GPS satellite sig-
nal, it switches to LBS. LBS means Local Base Station (= GSM network). The
STRATOfinder tries to determine the location using a Wifi network or the position
of the nearest GSM masts, which is relatively inaccurate. However, the transmission
of the position via GPS (=Global Positioning System) is more accurate. The more
satellite signals the GPS tracker can receive, the more accurate the location. This is
the case if the STRATOfinder has an unobstructed view of the sky and is not located
indoors.

19STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
The battery icon shows the battery status
of your STRATOfinder.
This icon can be used to switch between several STRATOfinders, provided at
least two STRATOfinders have been set up. Otherwise this icon is not visible.
Click on the arrow to display your current position or the position of the
smartphone currently using the Stratoflights app. The position is represented
by a blue dot on the map.
Click on this button to request the current
GPS position of the STRATOfinder.
Clicking on this button opens Google Maps and suggests a route from your
position to the last position data sent by STRATOfinder, so that you can ea-
sily navigate to this position.
Mit einem Klick auf diesen Button wird die aktuelle GPS-Position des
STRATOfinders abgefragt.
Click on „Settings“ to display the device list. Here you will find information on the
STRATOfinder currently in use and the link to this manual.
By clicking on „Add STRATOfinder“ you can add
further STRATOfinders, e.g. in order to have the grea-
test possible security with a dierent mobile phone
provider. In some countries there are still dead spots
in the mobile network, so that the GPS tracker may
not be able to send its position data via the mobile
network. This risk can be reduced by using a second
STRATOfinder with a dierent network provider.

20 STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
By clicking on the device name, you can view history of the GPS position data sent,
rename the selected STRATOfinder, navigate to the tracker or delete the STRATO-
finder from the app.
Under „History“ you can call up the saved GPS position of your tracker. To
do this, first select a time period or interval. The coordinates of the tracker for
the selected period are then displayed on a map.
Click on „Change name“ to change the name of your
STRATOfinder at any time.
Click on „Navigate to the tracker“ to retrieve the current position of the
STRATOfinder and to determine a route to the GPS position of the STRATO-
finder sent via Google Maps.
The assigned IMEI of your STRATOfinder is indicated here. You will also find
the IMEI on the housing of your STRATOfinder and on the packaging.
This allows you to remove the STRATOfinder
from the Stratoflights app.
By clicking on „Add STRATOfinder“ you can add further STRATOfinders, e.g. in
order to have the greatest possible security with a dierent mobile phone provider.
In some countries there are still mobile network gaps, so that the GPS tracker STRA-
TOfinder may not be able to send its position data via the mobile internet. This can
be remedied by using a second STRATOfinder with a dierent network provider.

21STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
3.7 Adding more STRATOnders to the
Stratoights app
To get your stratospheric images, you need to find your stratospheric probe. In Ger-
many and in almost all countries of the world, there are regions with smaller or
larger dead spots in the mobile phone network, these are regions that are not covered
by the mobile phone providers. For example, it can happen that a region in Germa-
ny is covered by the D2 network, but no D1 network is available. In this case, the
STRATOfinder may not be able to establish an internet connection to transmit its
position data, and thus the stratospheric probe, including its technology and came-
ras, cannot be located and recovered. This scenario varies from country to country
due to dierences in network coverage.
To minimise this risk, a second STRATOfinder may be useful. For example, if you
decide to operate the first STRATOfinder with a D1 network and the second STRA-
TOfinder with a D2 network, you should add both STRATOfinders to the Stratof-
lights app. This way you will receive the position data from both GPS devices and
will be in the best possible position.
To add another STRATOfinder to the Stratoflights app, click on „Settings“ and se-
lect the menu item „Add STRATOfinder“. Now enter the name and IMEI of your
additional tracker.

22 STRATOnder: Charging Process, Initialization, and Activation
It is not possible to display both STRATOfinders simultaneously on one map. To
switch back and forth between the two devices, select the following button as shown
in the illustration to access STRATOfinder B, for example.
You can easily find out which STRATOfinder is currently displayed on the map: The
name of the currently displayed STRATOfinder is shown at the top.
With two STRATOfinders, you are well equipped for your mission.