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ZL3AI > APRDIG 12.04.04 12:02l 239 Lines 9618 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: TAPR Digest, Apr 09, 2/2
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Subject: Regarding Cheaha Challenge bike marathon, Alabama 5/2/02
From: Keith Allen <kallen2@bellsouth.net>
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 2004 12:10:59 -0500
X-Message-Number: 12
To all Amateur Radio Operators intending to work the Cheaha Challenge
event in the Calhoun County Alabama area and all other interested parties.
Hi Guys,
I received an email from a HAM who will be riding in the
Cheaha Challenge. He has a Kenwood THD7 HT that uses APRS and he was
planning on running it and keeping in touch via phone while out there.
I came up with the brainstorm to try to use elements of APRS for this
event. I have a TMD700A which is self contained APRS capable mounted in
my vehicle. What I'd like from you guys is a listing of APRS assets you
may or may not use while working the event. there is a digipeater right
up on Cheaha. So let's take this event and do some good old fashioned
Amateur style experimenting!! <big grin> Please send back your
thoughts and comments. Remember, this is not a set in stone thing, just
something I'm kicking around.
73. Keith. AG4AC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Pocket Tracker - New Product Announcement
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@opentrac.org>
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 10:19:45 -0700
X-Message-Number: 13
It'd certainly be nice to have a version available with a water resistant
case and integrated GPS and patch or helix antenna.
One market for these that might have been overlooked is hang glider and
paraglider pilots. Most of these people are licensed hams (or SHOULD be -
the FCC just issued a nastygram about unlicensed use), and they're often
gadget freaks anyway. APRS tracking is really useful for cross-country
flights, where you've got a ground team chasing after you. I've also heard
of it being used in competitions. The latest issue of HG & PG magazine
makes passing mention of the ability to hook up a GPS to certain handhelds
with built-in TNCs, but it doesn't provide any detail.
At hundreds or thousands of feet AGL the low power output isn't a big deal.
Especially when you consider that some of the best flying sites are also
digi sites!
Of course, it'd be really cool if the APRS clients would start supporting
three-dimensional terrain projections. I keep hoping Xastir will implement
some separation between the display window and the rest of the application,
so you can run multiple display windows with different scales, different
maps, and eventually perspective views.
If you had this working, you could coordinate with a competition organizer,
set up displays for spectators, and furnish trackers for the competitors. I
guarantee the pilots would buy a ton of trackers on the spot when they see
how it can be used.
Scott
N1VG
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: re: Regarding Cheaha Challenge bike marathon, Alabama 5/2/02
From: <jrsmith2@cableone.net>
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 2004 10:49:07 -0700
X-Message-Number: 14
Keith,
I'm considering riding in that as well. If I do, I'll be using a
TT3/Tripmate and an Alinco DJ-191 in a handlebar bag with just a duck.
I've used theat in the same area except with a mag-mount on a van. Worked
well then, but don't know how well the duck will work, but that's all the
extra weight I'm willing to haul. Might get one of the new PocketTrackers
by then, depending of funding issues. Looking at some kind of antenna I
could put on the bike without adding too much weight or drag. I use a
WX2NJ Jurassic Duck on my ATB, but I don't know about for a ride of this
magnitude. Pretty serious ride, this is!!!
73 de KE4LWT
ARRL and Bicycle Mobile Hams of America
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Address to GPS translation
From: "Frank Keeney - KG6JVE" <kg6jve@pasadena.net>
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 11:41:14 -0700
X-Message-Number: 15
Just install this nice little utility on your PC:
http://www.mentorsoftwareinc.com/freebie/FREE1198.HTM
Frank
KG6JVE
>-----Original Message-----
>From: bounce-aprssig-27857@lists.tapr.org
>[mailto:bounce-aprssig-27857@lists.tapr.org]On Behalf Of David VanHorn
>
>I used to know of at least one site that could translate an
>address to GPS coordinates, but I've lost track of it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Address to GPS translation
From: David VanHorn <dvanhorn@cedar.net>
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 2004 13:49:02 -0500
X-Message-Number: 16
At 11:41 AM 4/9/2004 -0700, Frank Keeney - KG6JVE wrote:
>Just install this nice little utility on your PC:
>
>http://www.mentorsoftwareinc.com/freebie/FREE1198.HTM
>
>Frank
>KG6JVE
Ok, but how does this address addresses?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: disregard message photo map on findu
From: "David Dobbins" <ddobbinswa@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 12:38:12 -0700
X-Message-Number: 17
Disregard my previous message re photo map on findu glitch. The map is
perfectly aligned, I just needed to zoom my blinders out to realize the
large coverage area.
Great addition to findu!
Dave K7GPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: OpenTracker APRS telemetry
From: "Brian Riley (maillist)" <n1bq_list@wulfden.org>
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 2004 19:30:00 -0400
X-Message-Number: 18
Personally I have two sites I would use this and be doing parsing ... One of
them a 24/7 application, please nail it down.
I will raise the question since we have 'open sourced' and the ability or
enable some additional outputs, please consider the possibility for an
additional one or two pieces of data and make provision for that.
On 4/9/04 10:44 AM, "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com> wrote:
>That space before the temperature changes to a '-' if it's negative. If
>anyone wants to parse it, let me know first so we can nail down the exact
>formatting.
>
>Also, both fields can be turned on or off in the config program, so you
>might have just one or the other.
>
>Scott
>N1VG
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Regarding Cheaha Challenge bike marathon, Alabama 5/2/02
From: wa4ikq@nevets.oau.org (Geoffrey Dick)
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 22:15:02 -0400 (EDT)
X-Message-Number: 19
Subject: Regarding Cheaha Challenge bike marathon, Alabama 5/2/02
Keith,
I have been running APRS on a bicycle for a number of years, experimenting
with TT2, TT3, a full KPC3+ with an HT-202, and most recently, a Kenwood
THD7A/G. I understand the payload and air resistance issues very well,
having toured on events 25 to 50 miles in length. If you want to run APRS
on a bicycle, consider the following:
ANTENNA
Through experimentation, I have found a rubber duck on an HT is not very
effective, if not held in the hand so one's body can act as a counterpoise.
Mounted to your handlebars, the best you can do is 3 miles to the nearest
station to RELAY your signal, if you run at 5 watts. To reach a DIGI,
your signal will be in competition with stronger stations, having better
antenna systems at higher altitude. Replacing the orginal rubber duck,
with a larger antenna will be a big help. There are a variety of 15 inch
dual band antennas commercially available. The very thin type will give
your radio less strain at the SMA connector in 15 to 25 mph winds. For
better performance, I have found that a 2M Hamstick, mounted to a rear
metal carrier platform works the best. That will put 54.5 inches of
antenna in the air to get your signal out. I connect it via a right-angle
SMA connector to 4ft of coax on a Tandem Bike. I wrap several turns of
coax around a handlebar to decouple and finetune the SWR.
BATTERIES
I have never had very good luck with sealed battery packs that come with
most commercial handhelds. They work okay when new, but after a few
months, the cells become unbalanced in the way they hold charge, and will
give less life. I have had best results using an exterior battery pack,
that accepts individually-charged AA NI-MH cells. I charge my cells in a
Lehar Mach I speed charger, that individually pulse-charges them in less
than an hour, without overheating them, like most chargers. My battery
pack holds 10 cells, and will run the TH-D7A/G all day.
RADIO MOUNT
I made from sheet aluminum, a clamp to fasten around the handlebars, that
holds a 4-inch platform to anchor radio at a good angle for viewing the
screen. The battery pack is counter-weighted from the same clamp.
USING A TINYTRAK
A TinyTrack running on on a 9 volt alkaline will work well all day
beaconing, but you will not know if your signal is getting out without some
sort of monitoring system. Choose a good radio with 5 watts or better
output. Make sure the interface cable works properly with the radio
chosen. Don't wait for the day of the event to check things out.
KENWOOD TNC RADIOS and PATH
I set my radio to beep on my heard packet. This is the best form of
confimation your signal is being heard. On long trips I have found a need
to change my path. RELAY does not always work, and many home stations are
not setting up their alias. Some DIGIS do not accept WIDEn-n format. One
year, our local group tried to set up an event so we would RELAY each other
on a long rural highway, but discovered too late that TH-D7's WILL NOT
DIGI. A TM-D700 will DIGI, but one may find it hard to turn off that
function, later.
I hope this helps.
Geoffrey Dick, wa4ikq
---
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