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ZL3AI > APRDIG 26.09.03 12:22l 217 Lines 9195 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
TAPR APRS Special Interest Group Digest for Tuesday, September 23, 2003.
1. Re: A couple of beginner's questions if I May.
2. Re: Take control <g>
3. Re: A couple of beginner's questions if I May.
4. Excessive Paths WAS WIDE5-5 (Now CHEAP?)
5. Another Aircraft Record attempt
6. Re: Excessive Paths WAS WIDE5-5 (Now CHEAP?)
7. Re: Another Aircraft Record attempt
8. Re:A couple of beginner's questions...
9. Re:A couple of beginner's questions...
10. Re: Take control <g>
11. Take Control of your digi REV(1)
12. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
13. Re: A couple of beginner's questions if I May.
14. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
15. Part 1/2 -Re: Take Control - oh let's just go backwards on things, that's
the solution NOT
16. Re: Take control <g>
17. Part 2/2 -Re: Take Control - oh let's just go backwards on things, that's
the solution NOT
18. Re: Another Aircraft Record attempt
19. Re: Another Aircraft Record attempt
20. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
21. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
22. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
23. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
24. RE: [aprsspec] OpenTrac
25. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
26. Tactical RF Networking !!!
27. Re: Path limiting by digis
28. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
29. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
30. Re: Tactical RF Networking !!!
31. Re: WIDEn-N to-UHF path splitters
32. RE: Tactical RF Networking !!!
33. Re: Tactical RF Networking !!!
34. Re: Tactical RF Networking !!!
35. Re: Tactical RF Networking !!!
36. TRACKING THIEF IN CARMEL, CA
37. Excessive packet lengths
38. South Carolina Digital Day
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Subject: Re: A couple of beginner's questions if I May.
From: WA8LMF2@aol.com
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 00:06:51 EDT
X-Message-Number: 1
In a message dated 9/22/2003 6:51:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
eyaniv@telus.net writes:
>I will be purchasing an Icom IC-T90A (first weekend of October) and have
>already purchased a Garmin eTrex Legend. My computer is Windows XP but
>because it is a fairly new laptop it does not have a serial port. I have
>not had any luck with serial to USB cables and hubs.
1) You absolutely have to resolve the issue of USB-to-serial conversion
before you go any farther. Virtually none of the GPS / APRS / ham-related
devices will be useable without serial ports.
2) What are you attempting to do?
o Run a mobile tracker (in other words, merely send your vehicle's
position periodically)?
o Operate as a full-function APRS mobile (i.e. see your own and other
peoples' positions on a map display, and send/receive messages)?
o Operate as a fixed station (i.e. do the same thing from home and
possibly act as a digipeater and/or Internet gatestation) ?
One way or another you need a device between the data side of things (the
GPS and/or computer) and the audio side of things (the radio's mic and
speaker jacks).
This can be either a hardware device ( TNC -- Terminal Node Controller --
essentially a modem for use over a radio instead of phone lines, it takes
radio RX / TX audio in/ out and connects to a PC via a SERIAL port ),
--OR--
be done entirely in software on the PC using the computer's sound system to
generate TNC-like tones on transmit and to detect them on receive.
You connect the computer audio input and output jacks to the radio mic and
speaker lines with a simple isolator consisting of small audio transformers
wired to patchcords with plugs to fit your jacks.
A third alternative is to get a radio with the modem (TNC) already
built-in. The Kenwoood TH-D7 dual-band handheld, D-700 dual-band mobile,
and Alinco DR135 2M-only mobile all come with RS232 serial ports ready to
connect directly to a computer SERIAL port. The Kenwoods also have a
second serial port to attach a GPS receiver's serial data output.
The software (actually "firmware") built into the Kenwoods allow them to
operate either with a computer and appropriate APRS software, or in a
standalone mode without a PC. The LCD panels of the Kenwoods become
dot-matrix displays that can display incoming messages. They can even send
text APRS messages standalone, although this can be tedious session of
endless button pushes on the radio's keyboard pad, similar to sending a
text message on a cell phone.
A 4th alternative for the simple mobile tracker scenario where you transmit
but don't receive is the TinyTrak. This $35 US kit is essentially a very
simple transmit-only modem (TNC). After configuring the device once with a
Windows-based setup program (again SERIAL port required!), you plug the GPS
serial data cable into one end of the device and connect the other end to
your radio mic and speaker jacks. Info at:
http://byonics.com
Misc comments in no particular order:
Interfacing external audio devices (TNCs, TinyTraks, sound card interfaces,
etc.) to hand helds can be a much greater hassle (because of the oddball
mic circuits and push-to-talk schemes often used on handhelds) than
connecting to full-sized mobile rigs (which often have dedicated connectors
for hooking up audio-using devices without interfering with the mic
connections).
Providing DC power to each of the three devices involved (GPS, TNC or
TinyTrak, and radio) is often a bigger headache than connecting the devices
to each other. Most GPS units require 5 VDC, and will require some sort of
voltage-reducing regulator to run off 12 VDC. Powering GPS devices off
their internal batteries for extended periods is not very practical since
the current drain is too high The TinyTrak and Kantronics KPC3 TNC have
low enough power drains to run off 9-volt batteries for a useful amount of
time (20-30 hours) but any other TNC device will require 200-300mA or more
at 12 VDC.
Garmin GPSs use a screwball non-standard connector for their serial data
input/output and external power connections. You will have to acquire the
matching plug/cable assembly in order to do any APRS stuff with the Garmin.
Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Home Page: http://wa8lmf.com
Ham Radio/Mobile SSTV page: http://members.aol.com/wa8lmf/ham
APRS Stuff
http://members.aol.com/wa8lmf/aprs
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Subject: Re: Take control <g>
From: "Stephen Hooper" <k7acs@localnet.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 23:8:5
X-Message-Number: 2
going on from KB7ZVA's comments on UI-View, It only cost about $16, and
will support callsign substituiton and allows WIDEn-n, TRACEn-n, RELAY,
etc.
and it can use the AWPGE Packtet Engine with a soundcard and/or TNC.
Stephen
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Subject: Re: A couple of beginner's questions if I May.
From: "Dick Stanich" <dick@kb7zva.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 0:32:13
X-Message-Number: 3
On 09/22/03, ""Ehud Yaniv" <eyaniv@telus.net>" wrote:
>Sorry to bother people with beginner's questions but I am just starting out
>in both ham and APRS. I only passed my basic test at the end of August for
>a VHF/UHF license.
>Where to I go from here in getting my basic rig organized and connected to
>the computer? What are some software suggestions and what additional
>hardware do I need.
You are a new ham, congrats!
The best way to handle this is to find another ham in your area, if
possible, that is familiar with APRS. Take your time. Look for big
antennas, dim lights, and poorly maintained yards, and knock on doors. Park
in front of your local 'Radio Shack' and wait for mobiles to show up that
look something like porcupines. Don't rush into buying a mess of stuff
until you actually can get a feeling of how this all works, else you'll end
up renting a booth at the next hamfest. Join a local ham group, at the
first meeting just smile and nod your head and don't raise your hand.
'Elmering' (learning from another), with 'hands-on' is a real cool way to
go. My opinion is that you will learn far more about this hobby,
rag-chewing over a cup of coffee or a soda pop <g>, with other hams that
are on APRS near you. Oh ya, always wear a hat with your callsign on it. If
anyone says, 'what's that', their not a ham :) If someone actually
recognizes it as a callsign, call your wife or girlfriend and explain you
are going to be a little late.
Welcome to the hobby <g>.
Dick, KB7ZVA
http://www.kb7zva.com
APRSWest
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Subject: Excessive Paths WAS WIDE5-5 (Now CHEAP?)
From: "Dick Stanich" <dick@kb7zva.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 0:56:48
X-Message-Number: 4
>I would agree that this is the IDEAL solution. But as I stated, we need to
>try and work towards an interim solution that is CHEAP to implement for the
>installed base.
CHEAP? Many have been there. Some still are:
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/near.cgi?lat=00000&lon=00000
Where is SEKONDI-TAKORADI, GHANA? <g>
Dick, KB7ZVA
APRSWest
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