This is about the Snootlab AirPi 2G/3G+GPS Shield for Raspberry Pi – not to be confused with the AirPi Raspberry Pi weather station.
I first came across the AirPi when it was announced at the June 2014 Sierra Wireless Developer Day:
Snootlab present AirPi at Sierra Wireless Developer Day 2014 (with thanks to @vrmvrm for the photo)
It is an add-on board – a “shield” – for the Raspberry Pi featuring a Sierra Wireless SL8082T cellular (2G/3G) module with GPS. The ‘T’ suffix indicates that this module supports the Open AT Framework – allowing a user application to be embedded within the module.
It was a long time in coming, but the production versions eventually went on sale in November, and I was finally able to get my hands on one:
AirPi Kit
As shown, a certain amount of self-assembly is required (a fully-assembled option is also available).
Most of the assembly is straightforward, although some instructions on the GPS antenna would have been helpful:
The GPS antenna is supplied with a paper mask on its underside:
AirPi GPS Antenna – As Supplied
This must be removed to reveal the adhesive coating:
AirPi GPS Antenna with Mask Removed
Noting the correct orientation – as indicated by the AirPi PCB silkscreen – the antenna can then be stuck to the board, and its contact soldered in place (from the underside of the board):
AirPi GPS Antenna Fitted
And the assembly is complete:
AirPi Completed
The next step will be to get communication going with a PC, and send & receive text messages…