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ZL3AI > APRDIG 13.03.07 00:06l 263 Lines 9220 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: [APRSSIG] Vol 32 #30, 3/3
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From: ZL3AI@ZL2BAU.#79.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Message: 19
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 09:21:16 -0500
From: "Wes Johnston, AI4PX" <wes_at_kd4rdb.com>
Subject: APRS Spam....Re: Out of Office AutoReply: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
Hey gang... this sort of autoreply message on a mailing list is just like
what Bob Bruninga was saying last week about autoreply messaging being akin
to spam on aprs. This message (in the context of a mailing list) serves no
purpose. I don't mean to be too harsh here, just trying to make a point
about the useless nature of autoreply for aprs.
Wes
On 2/28/07, Edwards, Chris <cedwards_at_trane.com> wrote:
>
>I had to go to the doctor today
------------------------------
Message: 20
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 06:52:22 -0800 (PST)
From: M J <mjandthegang_at_yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
Some times all we need is a little additional insight to take a big "next
step." I share the following with that in mind.
Many bar code readers are designed to be attached to computers through the
PS/2 keyboard port (often times, they come with Y-cables so that you can
have a keyboard and bar code scanner connected to the same port at the same
time). Why? Because bar code scanners were created to do one thing:
emulate keyboard/manual input.
The bar code itself is simply an encoded text string (the same text that
appears in plain language in small alphanumeric characters on the bar code
label).
When pull the trigger on the reader, it decodes the bar code back into the
plain text and sends it to the PS/2 port, just as if the human operator had
typed it on the keyboard.
With that in mind, the least technical way to transfer bar code information
via APRS would seem to be to first, encode it in a meaningful way on the
label When it comes time to scan it, (1) open an APRS message window,
selecting the destination station, (2) place the cursor in the message text
field, (3) scan the bar code and (4) send the message.
Doing this will put all of the power of the APRS client (for retries,
delivery confirmation, etc) into play.
Variations of this strategy are certainly possible. Engage imagination
now. :)
'just trying to "give back a little" to the list that helped me to learn.
MJ
------------------------------
Message: 21
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:15:04 -0800
From: "'Scott Miller'" <scott_at_opentrac.org>
Subject: RE: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
Serial barcode scanners are also widely available. I got mine on eBay for
half the price of the USB keyboard wedge type that I bought for business
use. Seems like no one wants serial scanners anymore. I think I paid
around $20, and it's a high-quality Symbol scanner with an excellent scan
range and width, much better than the cheap LED-based keyboard wedge
scanner. The power brick is a little bulky, though.
I modified the Tracker2 command processor so that it'll accept commands
bracketed in /*... */. That way, you can delimit the text string despite
the fact that it's not possible to encode a carriage return in a barcode.
Yeah, the scanner can be programmed to send a carriage return after each
barcode, but that limits your ability to do things with multiple scans. For
example, I could scan both a message and a destination address from separate
barcodes, like this:
/*SEND N1VG-1
First runner arrived*/
That much you can do with the T2 now. I think some scanners can also be
programmed with prefix and suffix text, so you could use a dumb TNC and save
yourself the overhead of the packet source, destination, and path in the
barcode.
Scott
N1VG
>With that in mind, the least technical way to transfer bar
>code information via APRS would seem to be to first, encode
>it in a meaningful way on the label When it comes time to
>scan it, (1) open an APRS message window, selecting the
>destination station, (2) place the cursor in the message text
>field, (3) scan the bar code and (4) send the message.
------------------------------
Message: 22
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:29:59 -0500
From: "Danny Messano" <danny_at_messano.net>
Subject: [aprssig] Radio <> TNC Cables
Anyone have a good source for Radio <> TNC Cables.
Just tried to do business with Buxcomm, and after getting the improper cable
twice, I was told the common connector on my Alinco was proprietary and
unsupported, given an RMA, and hung up on.
Someone that's pleasant to do business with would be a plus too, but if the
the cable is right, I will take what I can get. :)
Danny Messano
KE4RAP
------------------------------
Message: 23
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:43:40 -0800 (PST)
From: kc9umr_at_freqradio.com
Subject: RE: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
in this case, i would be looking for something to the tune of
/*SEND K9FRT START 9 CAR 43*/
which would result in car 43 put into the "START 9" (stage 9 start) column
at the net control's (K9FRT) computer. (or is the callsign the user and
not the destination?)
With any luck (and only minor modifications) the scanner could be adapted
to work off the same 12V DC power supply that the radio and TNC would
presumably be using.
------------------------------
Message: 24
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:42:51 -0800
From: "'Scott Miller'" <scott_at_opentrac.org>
Subject: RE: [aprssig] Radio <> TNC Cables
Hmm, that sounds kind of familiar! I'd suggest Jason, KE4NYV over at
http://www.rpc-electronics.com. He's gone out of his way to help some of
my OpenTracker users with their cabling.
Scott
N1VG
------------------------------
Message: 25
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:45:12 -0600
From: "John Habbinga" <kc5zrq_at_gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [aprssig] Radio <> TNC Cables
You didn't specify what brand/model TNC or what model Alinco radio you have.
If you are using a Kantronics TNC, then I would recommend searching the
webpages that sell the TinyTracker and OpenTracker (they have the same
connection). I purchased a cable to connect my Kantronics KPC3+ to my Icom
IC-2200H from Byonics.com. It was short, well made and has a power lead on
it so I can power the TNC through the DB9 connector.
------------------------------
Message: 26
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:52:35 -0800
From: "'Scott Miller'" <scott_at_opentrac.org>
Subject: RE: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
>which would result in car 43 put into the "START 9" (stage 9 start) column
>at the net control's (K9FRT) computer. (or is the callsign the user and
>not the destination?)
It's the destination callsign for the message. Just keep in mind that your
barcode density is limited by the resolution of both your printer and your
scanner. Barcodes with lots of text can get pretty long.
Scott
N1VG
------------------------------
Message: 27
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:01:34 -0500
From: "Robert Bruninga" <bruninga_at_usna.edu>
Subject: RE: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
>in this case, i would be looking for something to the tune of
>
>/*SEND K9FRT START 9 CAR 43*/
>
>which would result in car 43 put into the "START 9"
>(stage 9 start) column at the net control's (K9FRT)
>computer.
Maybe I am not understanding this, but I assume the only thing on the CAR's
bar code is the Car Number.
So it seems like you need pre-configured barcodes that would represent all
the "functions" you want to report affixed to the scanner's clipboard at
that station, so that first the scanner scans one of thse function barcodes
on his clipboard, and it says "START 9" and then you scan the car as it
goes by to get the CAR 43.
Other functional bar codes for check point 9 might be ?
ARRIVED 9
WAITING 9
DISABLED 9
QUIT 9
NEEDS FUEL 9
OTHER 9
Is that what we are talking about?
Bob
------------------------------
Message: 28
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 09:06:24 -0800
From: "Cap Pennell" <cap_at_cruzio.com>
Subject: [aprssig] Kantronics MT1200 compressed packets?
Does anybody yet know if the new Kantronics MT1200 TNC (or MT1200G with
built-in GPS receiver) can produce any sort of APRS "compressed format"
packets?
Unfortunately I don't notice such ability mentioned on the manufacturer's
website (and I don't notice the full MT1200 manual there yet either).
73, Cap KE6AFE
------------------------------
Message: 29
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:15:39 -0500
From: "Wes Johnston, AI4PX" <wes_at_kd4rdb.com>
Subject: Re: [aprssig] barcodes, etc.
I would program the "modem" device to accept a special barcode ONCE and
remember the text in NV ram until it was overwritten. I'd have a book of
barcodes (at least a cheat sheet) that had the lat/lon of each checkpoint in
it. You scan one of those "special" barcodes ONCE per event. Now that
modem device is programmed to be checkpoint xxxx. Now any subsequent
barcodes that are scanned have the lat long of checkpint xxxx appended to
them. Need to move the checkpoint equipment to a new location? simply look
up the new location's barcode in your cheat sheet, scan the new location and
move the equipment. Each time a runner passes a checkpoint and gets scanned
a 3rd party aprs position is generated using that checkpoint's latlon. Now
we can extend this to RFID too....
Wes
------------------------------
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