GENERAL HAM RADIO & APRS

[DaveK]

This trip is a perfect opportunity for Ham radio, whether its HF, VHF/UHF or APRS. Post up the conversation here.

[RogerD]

Does anyone have experience with newer APRS software than UIVIEW? I pretty much gave up on any moving map software for APRS since UIVIEW. It was all getting pretty old and was not always compatible with newer versions of Windows. It seems that most newer software required a real time Internet connection to download map tiles which doesn't work for remote off road use.

[DaveK]

Roger

Yes. Take a look at AGW (https://www.sv2agw.com/). The developer is still alive and very active in keeping his software current. He is also very approachable and willing to help out when there are problems. Additionally, there is a very active Yahoo talk group.

The program uses certain map programs or you can make your own. Cost is minimal.

[Jeepergeo]

I have just installed an APRS-capable radio and it is now up and running. The radio is the

• Yaesu FTM-400XDR/DE.

I'm using the following software to program the radio:

• Advanced Data Management System ADMS-M400-RSD with data transferred to the radio via a MicroSD card.

Fortunately, the radio interface seems to make programming via the radio itself fairly simple. I've got a Nifty guide in addition to the Yaesu Manual, and between the two, have figured out some of the basics.

I'm now starting to dig into the APRS features, and that seems to be generating a lot of questions that I hope the experts here can answer. I have downloaded the Yaesu APRS manual, and I'm not opposed to reading it, but want to get a jump start as time is slipping by for getting ready for the Parashant trip. Here's a few initial questions.

• Is a computer essential for basic use of the APRS capabilities on the Parashant trip?

• I was thinking about getting a tablet with GPS capabilities for the trip, looking so far at the Samsung Galaxy S2 8" that runs on Android to use with the Avenza App. Would such a tablet be something that could be used with the APRS radio, or should I be looking at something else all together? I will be in a Jeep TJ, so space is at a premium

• Will everyone's' call signs need to be entered into my radio in order to broadcast to them and to receive from them APRS position information during the trip?

• Is APRS always on, or is it something that needs to be turned on and off when one wants to broadcast position information?

Jeeper

[DaveK]

Jeeper

With regard to the Yaesu 400, our resident expert is Hector, who, I believe, will be running one on the trip. I will defer to his expertise for some of your questions. Subject to his input, here are my thoughts:

1. The Yaesu 400 comes with a GPS and an internal TNC. It is ready to function in APRS mode without a computer. Having a computer, however, with a moving map screen is an option, and a very nice one at that.

2. You do not need to enter our call signs in order for us to receive your beacons. If you wish to send us a text message, you will need them.

3, APRS is on when you turn it on.

I recommend that you set up a computer at home so that family can track your progress. Consider using APRS.fi for this purpose. Although the contents are not private, you can send email through APRS. Just a quick note - we will have APRS coverage in almost all of the areas we will travel.

In the past, through a site called OpenAPRS, it was possible for licensed Hams to use their home computers to send text messages to us while we were traveling. Unfortunately, the site no longer exists. Anyone with some update on them?????

Hector, your comments.

[JumpingCholla]

Those of us who regularly use APRS have our favorite metro area SmartBeaconing and Path settings (click links for information).

I haven't given it much thought, but I'm wondering if other settings might be better for off-road travel.

We'll probably be travelling at a bit less than freeway speed, so is more beaconing useful? On the other hand, we'll probably be within visual distance of at least the person in front of us, so is less beaconing better?

Regarding the path setting, some might be interested in limiting their beaconing to our group; some who are using APRS to let family know where we are might want to ensure that their beacon gets out to more distant digipeaters.

Any opinions?

[DaveK]

There are a number of reasons for using APRS, One of the more important ones is to keep track of the other members of the group. If we are spread out for any reason, we will want to locate the lost or injured member. While we should be able to receive simplex beacons from everyone without the benefit of being digipeated, the odds of finding someone are improved if we have the benefit of a digipeated beacon.

Beacon frequency is not critical, but it can overburden the system if sent too often. I've found every 5-10 minutes to be sufficient, whether on or off road. Your path setting should be WIDE2-2.

[JumpingCholla]

Below is a CSV file compatible with CHIRP containing a collection of repeaters from RepeaterBook (current) and ARRL TravelPlus for Repeaters (version 18.0, 2014). Which of the repeaters are operational is TBD.

Location,Name,Frequency,Duplex,Offset,Tone,rToneFreq,cToneFreq,DtcsCode,DtcsPolarity,Mode,TStep,Skip,Comment,URCALL,RPT1CALL,RPT2CALL,DVCODE
0,APRS,144.390000,,0.000000,,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
1,KE6TZG,146.385000,+,0.600000,Tone,146.2,146.2,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
2,K6JS|,145.250000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
3,N7SGV,145.300000,-,0.600000,DTCS,88.5,88.5,244,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
4,KD7HUS,145.450000,-,0.600000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
5,W7DRC,145.450000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
6,W7DRC,145.490000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
7,OAUSA,145.570000,,0.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
8,W7DRC,146.640000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
9,WA7GTU,146.680000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
10,KA7STK,146.700000,-,0.600000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
11,N7NVR,146.700000,-,0.600000,Tone,173.8,173.8,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
12,W7NRC,146.720000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
13,NR7K,146.820000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
14,W7NRC,146.880000,-,0.600000,Tone,123.0,123.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
15,NR7K,146.910000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
16,WABGDF,147.120000,+,0.600000,Tone,192.8,192.8,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
17,K7SG,147.260000,+,0.600000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
18,N7YSE,147.300000,+,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
19,WB6JAA,147.320000,+,0.600000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
20,WI7M,147.360000,+,0.600000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
21,W7MVR,147.390000,+,0.600000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
22,N7FHQ,442.075000,+,5.000000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
23,KA7STK,446.700000,,0.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
24,N6RTR,447.450000,-,5.000000,Tone,151.4,151.4,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
25,K7OK,447.600000,-,5.000000,Tone,107.2,107.2,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
26,WA7HXO,448.020000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
27,K7WS,448.500000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
28,WB6TNP,448.725000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
29,N7YSE,449.100000,-,5.000000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
30,K5JCA,449.275000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
31,NR7K,449.325000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
32,K7OET,449.350000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
33,KI2U,449.350000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
34,KA7STK,449.425000,-,5.000000,Tone,203.5,203.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
35,K7SG,449.700000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
36,KD7YK,449.725000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
37,W7AOR,449.750000,-,5.000000,Tone,123.0,123.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
38,N7ARR,449.825000,-,5.000000,Tone,123.0,123.0,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
39,W7NRC,449.850000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
40,KC7UJL,449.875000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
41,NR7K,449.950000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,
42,NR7K,449.975000,-,5.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,5.00,,,,,,

[JumpingCholla]

On the left is a Comet CA-2x4SR with optional CA-SPR spring before Parashant.

On the right, after. Bent right at the "spring", besides having the top segment removed.

20180513 181453 nloc.jpg (67.35 KiB) Viewed 9604 times

[DaveK]

Cholla

Apparently, the trail you were on required a sacrifice. From what I understand, several sacrifices were necessary.