kcAPRS.org –Coordinating organization – for APRS in KS, KC & MO NEKSUN –Join in the fun of APRS and repeater building across Northeast Kansas kØham.com APRS in Northwest MO KØHAM.com

About “Shorty” First licensed at age 18 in 1987 –Father KØCEY, Step-Mom KBØBAW, Cousin WDØFHK, Nephews KCØQIO & KCØKTP, Brother KCØQIN –KØKU President— –Started the NE KS ARC with WVØS for KU, KSU & Washburn Alumni interested in repeaters-Became NEKSUN –Operations Director of NEKSUN (NEKSARC & Sunflower Interlink) -Total of 14 & 19 digipeaters across Kansas & the midwest –President & FC for the Kansas Amateur Repeater Council –Coordinator for kcAPRS.org –Johnson County ARES Emergency Coordinator –Project Management Consultant for Sprint –Maintenance director for Heartland Tower –Private pilot wannabe

Why We Are Here What is APRS? How did APRS originate? What software should I use? What Hardware should I use? What do I need to know about the existing APRS network? How can I get involved?

What is APRS Automatic Position Reporting System (previoulsy Automatic Packet Reporting System) Packet communication protocol for sharing live data on a network in real time Real time tactical communications and display system for emergencies and public service applications (APRS Spec)

History Invented by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR in 1992 Devised to facilitate short haul, short duration data transfer – conventional packet was not suitable GPS input came later

History APRS for DOS was the first program MacAPRS & WinAPRS 1994 by Sproule brothers UI-View—best support & popularity Many other APRS apps since – runs on Windows 3.x, 9x, NT and XP, Mac, Linux, Palm, CE and DOS

Packet Radio History –AX.25 protocol was approved by ARRL in 1984 –Came from X.25 protocol (the A is for Amateur) –Primary difference from X.25 is allowance for call signs and for unconnected packets

Packet Radio In ‘packet’ radio, qso’s are always between ‘connected’ stations Several qso’s can take place simultaneously on the same frequency Packet qso’s may be digipeated by specific stations

How is APRS different from Packet Radio? Communication is ‘one to many’ Uses generic digipeating with standard aliases Supports intelligent digipeating to reduce network flooding Uses UI frames for messaging, bulletins and announcements Provides maps and other features

How APRS uses Packets Uses the same AX.25 protocol but only a part of it Uses Unnumbered Information (UI) frames exclusively Always runs in unconnected mode Frames are transmitted without expecting any response Reception is not guaranteed

Frequencies VHF –1200 baud HF 30M LSB –300 baud Satellite –ISS Downlink , uplink –PCsat simplex –1200 baud

APRS Primary Uses Weather Spotting Balloon Chasing Emergency Operations Special Events Every Day fun

Weather Spotting What do you need 2B a good spotter? –Detailed Map May be deployed to unfamiliar territory. –List of Spotting Locations –Latest WX info from the NWS Need to see Watches & Warnings Radar –Field Observations Need to see temperature & wind all around –See other spotters To confirm reports, u need exact location –Automated Objects Create a vectored Tornado object with that others can see

Balloon Chasing What do you need 2B a good Balloon Chaser? –Detailed Map You WILL be in unfamiliar territory. –Visibility of balloon location & height –Auto display of your station & balloon Needs to display in one place, so you can concentrate on keeping up with the balloon! –Field Observations Need to see temperature & wind all around –See other chasers Keep the convoy from getting lost

Emergency Operations What do you need 2B a good Emergency Operator? –INCLUDING SAR –Detailed Map May be deployed to unfamiliar territory. –Latest WX info from the NWS Need to see Watches & Warnings Radar –Field Observations Need to see temperature & wind all around –See other spotters Need to know where all field units are deployed –Objects Indicate damage or roadblocks on a map for all to see List of Shelter Locations –Short Messaging Communicate more confidential info to EOC or field units – capability Need to be able to send short messages to internet users

Special Events What do you need 2B a good Event Specialist? –Detailed Map May be deployed to unfamiliar territory Aid Stations need to be on the map Event Route needs to be shown Hazards or Medical support locations need to be displayed –Latest WX info from the NWS Need to see Watches & Warnings Radar –Field Observations Need to see temperature & wind all around –See other specialists Need to know where all field units are deployed –Objects Show first & Last Runner Show event officials Show Safety units Show medical units & rovers

Every Day Fun Passive Fun –Watch the display of many stations –Watch the ISS or PCsat fly by Tracking –Find your buddies Set alarms-movement or proximity –Track your family & friends –Make new friends spontaneously while driving

UI-View 32 Solution Detailed Map: Show world Map Zoom full in Show Search capability Address, County, State, Phone, Mile Marker, Call Show Overlays (Spotter Locations) Show Underlays (Aerial Photos) Show UI-Terra

UI-View 32 Solution Latest WX info & Observations: Show UI-NWS Show active colored counties Click for details Show finger wx_srv Show Field Wx Station observations

UI-View 32 Solution Messaging: Show sending a message direct Show sending a message via digi Show sending a message via internet Show sending an message

UI-View 32 Solution Tracking & Zooming: Show Auto Track (Cross Hairs and Track zoom) Show UI-Height Track With Height based color Show movement alarm Show UI-History Show FindU Log Converter Show FCC server

UI-View 32 Solution Objects: Show moving object Show UI-Signpost Show inactive object Difference between objects & overlays Show Objects list

Hardware Home station requirements –2 meter radio and antenna –Desktop computer –TNC or soundcard/interface Mobile station requirements –2 meter radio and antenna –Variables Getting on the Air with APRS – What to Buy/Scrounge

Mobile/Portable Variables Mobile-Track & View –GPS –Laptop –TNC Mobile-Tracking Only –GPS –Tiny Track, or Tracking TNC Portable-Tracking Only –GPS –Tracker interface device –Power source for portability

Hardware Computers for UI-View –Pentium II, 128mb 3gb avail, minimum –Faster PC=Faster Map refresh Consideration for a TNC with GPS –2 serial ports are needed (Unless KPC3+) –If only 1 serial port is available, can use a “Port sharing” device –Any TNC will do with fixed location and a PC attached.

Hardware Kantronics KPC-3+ –Supports single PC Serial Port Tracker –Supports UI Flood Protocol –Current Version is 9.0 –Simple Mobile Operation –Cost $189

Hardware Kantronics KPC-3 –Good for Home use –Version 8.2 Supports UI Flood Protocol –Average cost used: $80

Hardware KPC-2, KAM, MFJ, others –Good for Home use –Low cost –Check for dealshttp://swap.qth.com/

Hardware Tiny Trak III kit ($30) Pocket Tracker Kit: ($89) A self-contained tracking/telemetry module ALSO Includes the RADIO! Self Contained

Hardware Kenwood TM-D700 ($489) Just add a GPS Self Contained Kenwood TH-D7 ($339) Just add a GPS

GPS Hardware GPS Receivers –Must have PC interface port –Must output NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) messages on the PC port (default) –External antenna a plus –RS-232 or TTL

The APRS Network-Digis Digipeaters only repeat if their call sign, their unique alias, or a generic alias is in the digi path –Two WIDE Types: WIDE3-3 (called a ui-flood) WIDE,WIDE,WIDE (OBSOLETE) RELAY –NO LONGER ENCOURAGED! –Use Wide1-1 –Home stations set MYALIAS to wide1-1

Mobile Path –Metro Example: APRS V WIDE2-2 or APRS V WIDE1-1, WIDE2-2 –Non-Metro Example: APRS V WIDE3-3 or APRS V WIDE1-1, WIDE3-3 –Metro Example: APRS V WIDE2-2 –Non-Metro Example: APRS V WIDE3-3 or APRS VIA K0XYZ, WIDE2-2 Home (Fixed) Path

Another way to view APRS FINDU – jFINDU – APRSWorld –

Important Links KC APRS Organization kcaprs.orgkcaprs.org NEKSUN APRS k0ham.comk0ham.com tapr.org ui-view.org nwaprs.org web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs/fix14439.html

Upcoming Activities May 24—kcAPRS.org meeting –NWS Training center--drive to kc0nws June 25 & 26 Field Day at Perry Lake Spring & Summer—Digi & Igate installations –join r er at k0ham.com for latest info

UI-View Installation 1) Copy CD 1 onto your harddrive (folder 7cd1 is fine for the name)+ 2) Copy the contents in the folder C:\7cd2\States onto your hard drive (Put it in the C:\7cd1\program files\Precision Mapping Streets and Traveler 7.0\states) 3) Double click on Setup.exe in the c:\7cd1 folder to install Precision Mapping 7 4) Double click on 32full203.exe to install ui-view 5) Double click on PMapServer7.zip USING WINZIP(included on this disk-don't use the WINXP zip viewer) 5a) Select the INSTALL option in Winzip (top buttons) 5b) Once installed, click on START, Programs, PMAPSERVER7, INITPMAPSERVER7 5c) Unzip UIV.zip into the c:\Program Files\Peak Systems\UI-View32 folder 5d) Unzip shapefiles.zip into the c:\Program Files\Peak Systems\UI-View32\NWS\Shapefiles folder 5e) Unzip MAPS.zip into the c:\Program Files\Peak Systems\UI-View32\MAPS folder 5f) Unzip FCCsrv.zip into the c:\Program Files\Peak Systems\UI-View32\FCCSrv folder 5g) Unzip overlays.zip into the c:\Program Files\Peak Systems\UI-View32\OVERLAYS folder 5h) Double click on fccsv160.exe 6) N/A 7) Run the programs (from the start menu) 7a) Click on START, Programs, Precision mapping streets & traveler v7.0, Precision mapping streets & traveler v7.0 7b) Register the program over the internet (just enter any data, as long as all fields are not blank--BE SURE YOU PURCHASE Precision Mapping from Chicago Software!) 7c) Click on START, Programs,UI-View32, UI-View32 7d) Enter your callsign and registration code from step 6, and your APRS-IS code in APRS Server setup menu 7e) READ & FOLLOW all the help files that come up....it tells you EVERYTHING you need to know. 8) One setting I find useful is under Options -->Alternative Mouse Actions...check it and you will find UI-View easier to use. 10) Run from UI-view directory:

Questions ?? Invitation to join kcaprs.org This presentation available at kcAPRS.org