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ZL3AI > APRDIG 02.05.07 04:50l 236 Lines 9146 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: [APRSSIG] Vol 34 #20, 1/2
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From: ZL3AI@ZL2BAU.#79.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: neat project? (Joel Maslak)
2. Introducing the OpenTracker+ ('Scott Miller')
3. Annual Baker to Vegas APRS Event (Phillip B. Pacier)
4. Looking for an inexpensive GPS (Bob)
5. Re: Annual Baker to Vegas APRS Event (Bob Bruninga )
6. RE: Dayton Pilgrimage Mobile Settings (Jason Rausch)
7. Re: neat project? (Doug Younker)
8. Re: Annual Baker to Vegas APRS Event (Steve Dimse)
9. Re: Annual Baker to Vegas APRS Event (Steve Dimse)
10. Re: Looking for an inexpensive GPS (Jeff Kelly)
11. Re: Dayton Pilgrimage Mobile Settings (Joel Maslak)
12. RE: neat project? ('Scott Miller')
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:47:10 -0600
From: Joel Maslak <jmaslak-aprs_at_antelope.net>
Subject: Re: [aprssig] neat project?
On Apr 19, 2007, at 6:34 PM, Wes Johnston, AI4PX wrote:
>Perhaps people would leave it alone if we taped some D cells
>together painted red and had some curly wires sticking out?
>Reminds me of a bomb threat at a local hardware store in Sumter
>SC. Someone in the parking lot saw what appeared to be dynamite,
>wires and a blinking LED light under an SUV. After evacuating an
>entire block and closing the hardware store we learned that the
>guy's wife thought he was having an affair and had installed a GPS
>tracker under his car.
I used to work in a soup kitchen that shared space with a community center.
One of the volunteers spotted what they told police was a bunch of tubes
wrapped in tape with wires sticking out, placed in the fridge. This got a
complete bomb squad reaction, etc.
It turns out that an RC racing club used the facility, and often stored
batteries in the fridge while waiting their turn to race. This was nothing
more than a simple RC car batter pack!
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:29:05 -0700
From: "'Scott Miller'" <scott_at_opentrac.org>
Subject: [aprssig] Introducing the OpenTracker+
I'm almost ready to [commercial content deleted] (except for the SMT
version), so I thought I'd re-post this announcement from the OpenTracker
group. Here's the short version: The microcontrollers in the OpenTracker
kits are becoming obsolete. I'm out of stock and won't have more for
several weeks. Once I do, they'll mostly be held for repairs, replacements,
and some customers who bought bare boards and need to finish kits. The OT+
kit takes the place of the OT1x, and is based on a new variant of the same
processor, but has more code space and RAM. So far, the biggest firmware
change is software-based demodulation capability. It's not terribly
sensitive or immune to noise (it'll probably get better) but it's still
pretty cool, and adds no cost. It decodes just about all APRS position
packets and outputs NMEA $GPWPL waypoints.
[commercial content deleted] All of the parts are in, but I don't
have a production schedule for the enclosure silkscreening yet.
Anyway, here's the remainder of the original announcement:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The good news is that the new design is almost ready. I've finished
most of the testing, and the majority of the firmware has already been
tested in the OpenTracker or Tracker2, so I don't expect any major
surprises there. So without further ado, some specs on the new tracker:
* Based on the Freescale MC908JL16CSPE microcontroller. It's the same
HC08 core, but with twice the program space and three times the RAM.
* Different case design. The 32-pin shrink-DIP MCU is taller than the
old 16-pin DIP, so the new case has right-angle D-sub connectors for
more headroom inside. The case is slightly longer overall, but the
jumpers are easier to install now. The layout also allows for
connectors with built-in ferrite filters.
* RX capability. This is the biggest change, but it's still
experimental. In its current state, the demodulator code does at
least a decent job of decoding packets off the air. I expect it to
improve, but I won't make any promises. In a 15-minute drive
yesterday, I received about two pages of waypoints on my GPSmap 60CS.
Waypoint output is in NMEA mode (GPWPL) only, no Garmin binary
support or symbol translation like the Tracker2.
* No trimpots. There's a jumper to set the TX audio level range (high
or low), but all TX and RX adjustment is done in software. This
eliminates a couple of failure-prone parts, as well as the need to
open the case for adjustment.
* Simplified construction. Compared to the OT1x, the OT+ has fewer
parts, and fewer different component values. The resistors are
installed flush with the board rather than vertically, so they're
easier to place and solder.
* Multi-color status LED. Like on the Tracker2, the status LED can be
red, green, or amber. This makes it easier to see what the tracker is
doing.
* More analog inputs. Several ADC inputs are available, with 10-bit
resolution. The voltage sensor also has a slightly expanded range.
* Test and diagnostic functions integrated in config program. A new
menu lets you test the outputs (PTT, power, LED) and send test tones.
Temperature sensor calibration will be added soon.
The waypoint output functions occupy a lot of space, but there's still
space left over for new features that wouldn't fit in the OpenTracker.
In particular, I plan to implement some improved telemetry features
in the near future.
Pictures of the new through-hole unit are here:
http://n1vg.net/opentracker/images/ot1plus-int.jpg
http://n1vg.net/opentracker/images/ot1plus-ext.jpg
Also, I've got some surface mount boards built in 24-pin DIP size.
They're completely untested at this point, since I haven't built a
programming adapter yet. They look cool, anyway:
http://n1vg.net/opentracker/images/ot1plus-smt.jpg
http://n1vg.net/opentracker/images/ot1plus-smt-coin.jpg
The pictures are also on the Yahoo Group photo section, under Prototypes.
[commercial content deleted]
Scott
N1VG
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:22:28 -0700
From: "Phillip B. Pacier" <ad6nh_at_arrl.net>
Subject: [aprssig] Annual Baker to Vegas APRS Event
Hello all! Just wanted to drop a note to say that the annual Baker to
Vegas Challenge Cup Relay race will take place this weekend in the
Mojave Desert. Of particular interest are the 60+ teams utilizing APRS
trackers to keep track of their runners. Catch all of the action at
http://tracking.b2v.org
Enjoy! 73
Phil - AD6NH
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:51:10 -0500
From: "Bob" <k8ys_at_fuse.net>
Subject: [aprssig] Looking for an inexpensive GPS
I am looking for a source for an inexpensive (read that as CHEAP) GPS.
I need it to be USB as it will be dedicated to the motorhome to be used
as a tracker.
I have a Garmin GPS2+ but it is deaf, it needs to see the sky with
nothing in the way except glass, and I have a Pharos i360 (I think, it
was part of my Axim deal) and it is sensitive enough to see thru the
fiberglass/rubber roof.
Trouble is, I forgot to take needed cables, so now I am looking for a
GPS that I can dedicate.
I __ALMOST__ bought a new GPS with Streets & Trips 2007 while at
WalMart, but just could not part with $118 knowing that I can buy the
same thing on ePay for half that when I got home.
Bob K8YS
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:02:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Bob Bruninga " <bruninga_at_usna.edu>
Subject: Re: [aprssig] Annual Baker to Vegas APRS Event
undisclosed-recipients_at_usna.edu
>Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay race this
>weekend in the Mojave Desert... 60+ APRS teams...
>Catch the action at http://tracking.b2v.org
>Enjoy! 73 Phil - AD6NH
Wow, a very impressive effort! Great work. Especially the special freqs
and slotted operation! I like this page which shows the technical
how-dunit...
http://tracking.b2v.org/slotfiles/
Before I found that page, I was going to ask for an APRS technical Summary
Page (after the race when you have time) since I am sure you are swamped
now...
I think the above page answers all my questions except for curiousity about
how many digis you have covering the area and what your planned worst case
hop count turns out to be.. Actually maybe a column in your slotfiles
table that shows "HOPS". Then it could show 2 or 1 or 3 or whatever is the
hop count for each one. I assume all trackers have the same, but maybe the
digis would only need one-less hop since they are high?
Answer when you have time, Im sure you are too busy now.
Bob, Wb4APR
Bob
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:16:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jason Rausch <jason_at_ke4nyv.com>
Subject: RE: [aprssig] Dayton Pilgrimage Mobile Settings
Bob, I like the idea of Voice Alert, but I really hate talking on VHF when
I run APRS because of de-sensing. I am a UHF guy and I typically like to
run voice on 446.000 simplex when mobile. I try to keep that in my
position comment. I just find that UHF voice plays nicer with packet on
VHF.
Jason KE4NYV
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