Anyone using APRS?

[chrismc]

I have been looking into the VX-8R handheld as well, because it has the built in TNC. Did you get the GPS unit for it not sure it will work with anything but theirs? That might be why you are not able to send your location.

I did not buy the Yaesu FGPS-2 module initially (although I plan to once I decide between the Remote Mic or HT mount). The module certainly makes it MUCH more effective, but it is not strictly necessary for APRS operation. You can manually enter your position (Lat/Lon), which is a PITA. Sadly, all coordinates on the VX-8R are Lat/Lon, and there is no way to enable UTM (which we use for SAR). You do have the option of using Degress/Minutes/Seconds, or Degrees/Decimal Minutes.

As far as I have been able to tell, noone has been able to interface any other GPS with the VX-8R. It does not use a standard NMEA interface. They also have a new version of the VX-8R coming out soon that is "APRS Enhanced" called the VX-8DR (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0008.html). Its is a bit more money, and they will also have a $60 upgrade program for existing VX-8R owners (apparently its a hardware upgrade, not just firmware).

 

[bc_fjc]

What is the best way to configure the D710 to use AMSAT for APRS? Any info would great on this, Thanks.

Yahoo groups has a good section on the D710 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TM-D710_TM-V71. There is a good article on how to configure this here http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/QFsoS2M-j7tL6FJ9P2Oc_vL7QmPYdntr8oU8N7rC8ldpXEuy4mYYAVghWsudiowmUqPFsnhxnRGPenWq81CJVcEYwxwB/How%20to%20be%20heard%20by%20the%20ISS%20with%20the%20%20Kenwood%20TM-D710A.pdf

73,

 

[craig]

I kind of gave up on APRS since I use the SPOT for friends and family and I don't know anyone else local to me that uses APRS on their rig.

I still like the idea of tracking other rigs in my group when out and about on a trail run but it just hasn't become a "need" thing. Also I think we are all waiting for someone else to be the first to jump in

I understand completely. I'm looking at picking up 2-3 battery powered Tiny Trackers that I can put inside a pelican case and velcro onto the roofracks of the tailgunner and other friends. It would have my callsign, but would at least give me a way to track where others in my group are even if they aren't licensed or are licensed but not APRS users.

Craig

 

[taugust]

Thanks! That give me some good ideas. So with that setup can you see other APRS users in the screen of the GPS V? I may be using my setup for Search And Rescue and I know a lot of the guys have APRS.
This is also making me really lean toward the Kenwood 110 rather than the Yaesue 8800.

I have a Kenwood D-7A HT that I used with my Garmin GPS III. Other APRS stations do show up on the screen as waypoints. Not very efficient, and I haven't tried to see if they are mobile. Also, those waypoints are saved in waypoint memory and have to be deleted periodically.

 

[Mash5]

I have a Kenwood D-7A HT that I used with my Garmin GPS III. Other APRS stations do show up on the screen as waypoints. Not very efficient, and I haven't tried to see if they are mobile. Also, those waypoints are saved in waypoint memory and have to be deleted periodically.

Wow that is very interesting. That would be very cool for what I want to do. I passed elements 2 and 3 this weekend so It's time to start shopping for a setup. I would love to know what happens when they move. I wonder if it just updates the way-point. That would be super cool. Thanks for the info.

 

[mmccurdy]

FYI, Yaesu has just started shipping their "response" to the Kenwood unit discussed above, it's called the FTM-350 and street price appears to be $599. It has a nice-looking and relatively inexpensive ($70) integrated GPS add-on option. May be worth a Google search as an alternative -- it's the way I'm leaning right now, having just picked up my ticket on Saturday as well.

I have a Garmin 378 and I'd like to try and use that for the input if possible, but I have no idea what the options are for outputting other stations' locations back to the GPS. Already have my call but no rig yet -- gotta fix that quick :ylsmoke:

 

[chrismc]

Nice! I've been waiting for the FTM-350R as I need a new dual-band mobile and was hoping to add APRS into the box. It looks like a great unit, but I really wasn't expecting the $$$$$$. Wowee.

Here is Yaesu's page and here's the sales page on Universal Radio, Inc.

Its a bit of a bummer that they didn't throw the 6M band in there at that price.

 

[Mash5]

FYI, Yaesu has justhaving just picked up my ticket on Saturday as well.
Already have my call

How did you get your Call so fast? I thought it took a week or more.
That looks like a nice rig hummm...

 

[mmccurdy]

How did you get your Call so fast? I thought it took a week or more.

Yeah I have no idea. I think up to a week is more typical. I went through the Sunnyvale VEC (not ARRL) so maybe that has something to do with it. Ok end of hijack

 

[thallca]

FYI, Yaesu has just started shipping their "response" to the Kenwood unit discussed above, it's called the FTM-350 and street price appears to be $599. It has a nice-looking and relatively inexpensive ($70) integrated GPS add-on option. May be worth a Google search as an alternative -- it's the way I'm leaning right now, having just picked up my ticket on Saturday as well.

I have a Garmin 378 and I'd like to try and use that for the input if possible, but I have no idea what the options are for outputting other stations' locations back to the GPS. Already have my call but no rig yet -- gotta fix that quick :ylsmoke:

My ft-2800 2-meter radio died on me the other day. I pressed the on button and nothing happen. When I went to check my power connection, I saw both of the 15 amp breakers on the positive side were burned out. Thought the short was because of the recent engine work I had done on the truck, but the minute I replaced the breakers they burned out also. Took the radio out and hooked it up to my power supply at home and the power supply went into safe mode. So, my radio shorted out on me. I have no idea how that happened, but it makes me a little worried about buying a $600 radio like the FTM-350 to replace the ft-2800. Has anyone else have something like this happen to them? I have had my ticket since 1993 and in all those years I have never had one of my mobile radios burn out like that.

 

[gary in ohio]

I was excited about the 350 when I saw it but now with the price, not so much. $600 and you dont even get a mic unit and the GPS is optional.

Way to much money...

 

[7wt]

Yea but do you ned the mic anyway? I was wondering how well the speaker and mic in the head unit would work in a truck environment. When I comes to putting a mobil in my buggy, I will be seriously looking at this radio. Another plus for me is it looks like you plug the mic into the radio and not the head unit. That would make for a cleaner instal in my truck and fix the worry of stress on the mic jack like the 7800-7900. Just thinking out loud.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

My ft-2800 2-meter radio died on me the other day. I pressed the on button and nothing happen. When I went to check my power connection, I saw both of the 15 amp breakers on the positive side were burned out. Thought the short was because of the recent engine work I had done on the truck, but the minute I replaced the breakers they burned out also. Took the radio out and hooked it up to my power supply at home and the power supply went into safe mode. So, my radio shorted out on me. I have no idea how that happened, but it makes me a little worried about buying a $600 radio like the FTM-350 to replace the ft-2800. Has anyone else have something like this happen to them? I have had my ticket since 1993 and in all those years I have never had one of my mobile radios burn out like that.

FWIW, I've had good results with Yaesu factory service.....reasonable prices for out of warranty work, and FAST. Almost as good as Icom, way the heck better than Kenwood (amazingly expensive AND slow).

 

[mmccurdy]

I was excited about the 350 when I saw it but now with the price, not so much. $600 and you dont even get a mic unit and the GPS is optional.

Way to much money...

The DTMF mic is included for the $600, and the GPS is (I think) just another $70 and it bolts right in to the back of the face. The software support for APRS once you've done this seems at least on par with the Kenwood unit. That said, it is definitely more money, but I personally prefer the look of the Yaesu a little more as well as some of the flexibility it affords in mounting.

The things I'm not clear on are whether you have the option to use an external (i.e. Garmin) unit with the Yaesu, or whether Kenwood offers a competing "built-in" option.

Yea but do you ned the mic anyway? I was wondering how well the speaker and mic in the head unit would work in a truck environment. When I comes to putting a mobil in my buggy, I will be seriously looking at this radio. Another plus for me is it looks like you plug the mic into the radio and not the head unit. That would make for a cleaner instal in my truck and fix the worry of stress on the mic jack like the 7800-7900. Just thinking out loud.

You can plug the mic into either the head or the body of the radio.



Another question for current APRS users (actually on topic with the thread): I just want to make sure you can use APRS from rig to rig without a digipeater in between. We often have people trying to join us in remote locations, for example an evening after they get out of work or a day or more later, and it would be fantastic if we could get them close enough to be in radio range and let the APRS telemeter our exact location. I had just been assuming this was possible, but the digipeater talk now has me thinking twice.

 

[taugust]

Digipeaters are not required to make your APRS system work. They are a means to extend the useful range, much as audio repeaters do, and as a gateway to the internet. Your APRS system will hear any stations in range and mark their position, either with Lat/Lon coordinates, distance from your station, bearing, speed, heading, etc. or as an icon on a map, depending on your setup. You can send and receive text messages as well.