Anyone using APRS?

xtatik

Explorer
I've also looked into it....not for me......too gadgety...coverage too spotty. Great for urban and semi-rural stuff. Most of the places I like to go are out of range of digipeaters. Here in So Cal there are some offroaders that are playing with it...but they tend to hang out in the local playgrounds (Anza Borrego, Big Bear, etc.). No problem there, because they're usually directly underneath a repeater.....and probably not far from a cellular tower. Way easier and cheaper to study up and step up to HF. With an HF rig and a GPS unit you can set up sked's with tons' o hams that would be willing to track your coord's and status. They even have nets for RV'ers and Maritime Mobiles (sailing and motor vessels) that do this type of thing very well. Most have phone patch service as well, if needed.
This way, I've given rare grid squares to hams that would've never have got them otherwise. In return, I've received detailed weather reports (when out of range of NOAA's FM signals) and peace of mind.....and it was free of charge!
Come to think of it, I'm surprised sked's aren't discussed or used more often between members on this site. I'd certainly be willing to anchor for others that were in the boonies while I was stuck at home.
 
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gary in ohio

Explorer
APRS is great but you do need to have another APRS node to relay your signal around. A single node APRS is pretty worthless. If I were going to go APRS I would have a dedicated radio for APRS and not tie up my main radio for APRS or GO with the APRS specific radio's that can monitor and switch freq when they need to transmit.
 

BlackX

Adventurer
APRS is great but you do need to have another APRS node to relay your signal around. A single node APRS is pretty worthless. If I were going to go APRS I would have a dedicated radio for APRS and not tie up my main radio for APRS or GO with the APRS specific radio's that can monitor and switch freq when they need to transmit.

This is exctly what I discovered in my research this morning. It needs to be on frequency 146.390 so you'd be constantly switching between frequencies when you want to talk. However, I think the Yaesu 8800 might be good for this because you can monitor two freq. at once. Just a guess. I'm new to all this stuff.
 

SinCity4r

Adventurer
The Kenwood D710a has dual tuners. I just leave one on the aprs freq and talk on the other. APRS has been helpful on trips I've been on. I use the d710a and a garmin 276c.
 

Akecj7

Observer
I just finished my install in my JK and I am using the Kenwood D710a as well but with a GPS V plus. This set up works great. I am going to change my GPS to a puck style Garmin so my install will be a little cleaner.
 

bc_fjc

Observer
I've been running the Kenwood D710 for almost 2 years now... works really nice when another truck in the pack has APRS... when possible we normaly try to get a truck with a ham radio/APRS near the front of the pack and another near the end.

You can also configure APRS to use AMSAT for when you are out of range of other stations and Digi's. It took a little playing but works.
 
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Mash5

Adventurer
I just finished my install in my JK and I am using the Kenwood D710a as well but with a GPS V plus. This set up works great. I am going to change my GPS to a puck style Garmin so my install will be a little cleaner.

I would love to see some pics of this as I have a GPS V plus. I haven't got a radio yet but the d710a is on my short list. Did you made up your own cables?
Thanks
 

Akecj7

Observer
I would love to see some pics of this as I have a GPS V plus. I haven't got a radio yet but the d710a is on my short list. Did you made up your own cables?
Thanks

My dad had a cable that he made that works with the Kenwood and the Garmin. But I will be making all of the cables for the new GPS when I get it. I will take some pictures tonight for you.

I've been running the Kenwood D710 for almost 2 years now... works really nice when another truck in the pack has APRS... when possible we normaly try to get a truck with a ham radio/APRS near the front of the pack and another near the end.

You can also configure APRS to use AMSAT for when you are out of range of other stations and Digi's. It took a little playing but works.

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

Akecj7

Observer
Here are some pictures. The radio is mounted under the seat. The Head is attached to the Daystar dash panel using some Ram Mounting parts. When I get the new GPS I am going to mount it under the dash like the MYGIG reciever. When I go to make my cable I am going to split it and run one to the radio and one to a serial connector for my laptop.

DSC_9434.jpg


DSC_9440.jpg
 

cruiserlarry

One Crazy FJ
I've been running APRS in my rig for a while, although I've updated the components involved to get to my current configuration. :coffee:

Current set up is a Kenwood TM-D710A transceiver, Lowrance GlobalMap Baja 540C, and a Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 running UI-View 32 software and Precision Maps 8.1 mapping software. :bike_rider:

This set-up works great, and I've used it with my friends at Outdoor Adventure USA (www.oausa.com) on the trails to keep track of everyone with no issues. Very handy way to get weather data from fixed stations along your routes when traveling, too. :smiley_drive:
 

chrismc

Adventurer
I just traded up from a VX-7R to a VX-8R (with the built-in APRS modem). So far, I haven't successfully sent a beacon (although I am receiving fine). I'm not sure if its a misconfiguration, or if my signal just isn't getting out from the HT. I'm in a suburban area, and there are several I-gates within a few mile range. Still working through this one...

I'm thinking about picking up one of the TinyTrak4's with the built-in radio to install in the Jeep and occasionally use with a Netbook. It can act as a standalone tracker (cheap LoJack?), as well as a KISS TNC, so would work well for this. From what I've read, it can also act as a digipeater simultaneously, which would get my HT APRS signal out to the world when I'm out hiking.
 

Mash5

Adventurer
Here are some pictures. The radio is mounted under the seat. The Head is attached to the Daystar dash panel using some Ram Mounting parts. When I get the new GPS I am going to mount it under the dash like the MYGIG reciever. When I go to make my cable I am going to split it and run one to the radio and one to a serial connector for my laptop.

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.
 

Akecj7

Observer
I will be using a toughbook CF-18 in the JK for tracking as for mapping goes I have terrain navigator and delorme. I have been looking for a package that will let me track other people using APRS. 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.
 

Akecj7

Observer
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.


You will be able to see their location on the Kenwood 710 (lat, long, speed, distance from you and direction from you, ect). I dont know the difference between the 710 and the 110 so it might be different. The Garmin is used strictly for getting your info to send. You should be able to download the Kenwood manual from their site. as for seeing other peoples position you will need a laptop or similar. I believe, that is the part I am still trying to work out.
 

Mash5

Adventurer
Sorry I meant 710 not 110. I didn't think the GPS V would support other locations but I was hoping I was wrong. I really don't want an LCD much less a whole laptop in my rig but it sounds like if I want to see other APRS users I may not have a choice.
I wonder if there is a small net-book that could be set up with the screen upside down mounted from the roof just behind the rear view mirror.
 

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