BEEP base v3.7 - Pre-order

The BEEP base v3.7

The BEEP base is an automatic bee measuring system that you place under the beehive. The built-in scale and the temperature and sound sensor take measurements every 15 minutes, or another chosen interval. The measurement data is sent directly to your BEEP app via LoRa. This way, as a beekeeper, you always have insight into the status of your bees thanks to the BEEP base. The BEEP base is delivered complete and is immediately ready for use.

New - Improved stability

The biggest change in the BEEP base is the steelwork. In previous versions, the legs were separate parts that had to be attached to the frame. For the new BEEP base we changed that design, so the legs and the base housing are made from one piece of steel. This results in a more stable BEEP base, and therefore a more stable beehive

New - External battery holder

One of the wishes of BEEP base users was an easier way to replace the batteries. This is now possible with an external battery holder that is attached to the frame of the base. The box can be disconnected and thanks to the cable you can replace the batteries without having to remove the hive from the BEEP base. The batteries last three times as long, because the AAA batteries have been replaced by AA batteries.

New - Build-in real-time clock

The BEEP base collects and transmits data. The data is also stored on the computer of the BEEP base in case the data connection does not work as expected. It is important that the stored date and time of the measurements are precise, especially if the data is used for scientific research. That is why we have built in a timer with its own battery, a so-called real-time clock. This ensures that the time series is always correct. This results in higher quality and reliability of the collected data.

Easy installation

The BEEP base is delivered complete. Calibrate the BEEP base with the BEEP base app (iPhone and Android) via a wireless Bluetooth connection. A detailed step-by-step plan can be found in the online helpdesk. If you have any questions, you can contact our team.

Wireless data transmission

The BEEP base sends the measurement data to the BEEP app via LoRa. On the BEEP website you can read more about what LoRa is and how it works. If there is no LoRa coverage at your apiary, you can connect to the LoRa network in two ways: via a KPN LoRa subscription (only in the Netherlands) or by means of your own LoRa gateway.

Even without a LoRa connection, the BEEP base continues to store measurements; you can read the data directly with the BEEP base app via Bluetooth. The base has 8MB of memory in which two years of measurement data can be stored.

Up to three years of measuring with two AA batteries

The BEEP base v3.7 uses two AA batteries, which allows the BEEP base to measure up to three times longer than previous versions. This is based on a measurement interval of fifteen minutes. The batteries need to be replaced less often, which increases the ease of use for the beekeeper.

Dimensions

The surface of the BEEP base is 48x40cm and fits under all common types of hives such as the savings hive, Segeberger, Dadant and smaller hives. Clamps are included to clamp the hive upwards and downwards. If you want, you can fasten the hive with a tension strap (not included). Afraid of theft? You can easily hide the base with a homemade wooden edge. Once registered, the base is unusable for others, unless you reverse the registration in your BEEP app.

Application of knowledge

The sensors (weight, temperature and sound) provide a wide range of possibilities to take measurements of the bee colony. For example, about food supply, consumption, swarming, robbery, brood expansion and shrinkage and flight activity. By placing BEEP bases at multiple locations, you can compare the (foraging) behavior per location and colony.

Click here for more information about the applications.

Benefit from research

The BEEP foundation participates in several studies. Based on the results, the BEEP platform is improved by (free) upgrades of the BEEP app and/or BEEP base. BEEP bases that are already in use also benefit from this. You can update the BEEP base via the BEEP base app. An example of ongoing research is the interpretation of sound data, for example in a queenless colony. This is very complex and thorough research can help with a reliable interpretation. You can now consult all the raw, transformed (Foerier) data from the BEEP app. Via the BEEP platform you can also contribute to an existing study by sharing your data, for which you give explicit permission per study, and to set up your own study.

For more information about studies with the BEEP base, click here.

Making adjustments

The BEEP foundation shares code and construction drawings via Open Source. This means that you can consult the code and construction drawings to work on them yourself. This can vary from adding multiple temperature or humidity sensors (up to 10) and other sensors or making code adjustments for new features in the app. You can also build your own data dashboard using the API (Application Programming Interface).

Technical specifications

• Dimensions: 482x398x68mm 
• Energy usage
  • 0.24 mW @ 1x/15min measurement and sending interval
  • 2.5-3.8 VDC (2xAA 1.5V batteries included)
• Measurements
  • Temperature sensor 1-Wire (DS18b20): -55 °C +125 °C (+/- 0.5 °C)
  • Weight sensor Bosche H40A: 0-150 kg (+/- 0.1%)
  • Microphone frequency: 100Hz-12kHz, Audio ADC (92 dBA SNR) 
• Transmittors
  • Bluetooth® 2.4 GHz / transmit power max: +8dBm
  • LoRaWAN®-Zone: EU863-870 (868 MHz) / transmit power max: +20dBm
  • uFL SMT-antenne 
• Push button to turn the base on and off
• Buzzer (beep!) for auditive feedback
• I2C sensor screw terminals
• Processor: nRF 52840 MHz ARM®️ CortexTM-M4
• 8MB flash memory (storage for approximately two years of measurement data)
• 2-Channel Weight Amplifier (HX711)
• Firmware updates via Bluetooth (BLE)
• Real-time clock DS-3231

Delivery

To keep the BEEP base affordable, we produce the BEEP bases in batches. Given the time needed for the production process, the delivery time can be longer. The base is delivered in sturdy packaging made of recycled material.

Note for customers outside the EU and Southern Africa: The LoRa chip in the BEEP base only complies with the LoRa frequency in Europe and Southern Africa. In other countries, you can collect the data with the BEEP base but you will need to go to the base to transfer the data to your BEEP app.

We ship to a variety of countries. Is your country not in the list of shipping options, please contact us and we will help you further.

Large orders from 25 pieces

We also offer options for large orders for resellers, organizations or researches, starting from 25 pieces. Feel free to contact us for more information.

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