Outdoor Adventure USA

APRS is one of those Ham Radio things that is considered by most of us, at one time or another. Personally, in the beginning, I discovered that it had an extremely high aggravation factor. Once I got past all that, and had a well functioning set-up, it has turned out to be a very useful tool. Unless you have an electrical engineering degree and a huge reservoir of patience, it is best, if you want to get started in APRS, to get the help of someone who has gone through the process and knows how to do it. Many of us at OAUSA were very fortunate to have the help of others who had already been down the APRS road.

This week, our guest speaker, on APRS, will be Phil Pacier, AD6NH, who may be known to many of you. Phil has been active with APRS for many years and some of his projects can be found at: http://www.aprs2.net. Phil will lend a new perspective and be available to discuss all things APRS! We also will have a number of long time users on hand to lend their perspective as well. The net should be informative for current users as well as those who want to get started. Join us!!

Here are some important links on APRS

General Information

- Wiki APRS Website - http://info.aprs.net/index.php?title=Main_Page
- Bob Bruninga, WB4APR website - http://aprs.org/
- Yahoo APRS Talk Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/APRS/info

APRS Software

AGW - http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm
UI View - http://www.ui-view.org/

Equipment

Tigertronics Signal Link - http://www.soundcardpacket.org/1signalinkusb.htm and http://www.querycat.com/question/bfb74d ... 6e7c3ff461
Tiny Trak TNC- http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/
Kantronics TNC - http://www.kantronics.com/products/mt1200.html
Radios with built in TNC / GPS - Kenwood 710 http://www.kenwoodusa.com/UserFiles/Fil ... -D710A.pdf
Radios with built in TNC / GPS - Yaesu FT400 - http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=Di ... Archived=0

Internet tracking

AAprs.fi - http://www.aprs.fi
Open APRS - http://www.openaprs.net/
Findu - http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?n7xyr-1

In the city or in the outback, there always seems to be a need to be a little taller. This week the spotlight is on one of those little things that comes in so handy no matter where you are. It's a step stool made by B&R Plastics, called the "Foldz Step Stool".

Most of us have vehicles that are taller then the usual Prius and getting in and out for friends and family members can be made much easier with a small stool. Looking into the engine compartment and working on that hard to reach part is always easier with a stool. The stool has a weight capacity of 300lbs, folds very flat for stowing, and is reallly cheap ($12.00 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Plastics-101-6B-B ... m_sbs_hg_2). And, if it gets dirty, its just plastic - rinse it off.

OPEN FOLDED
STOWED