1. 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 KS, KC & MO KØHAM.com

2. About “Shorty” First licensed at age 18 in 1987 –Father KØCEY, Step-Mom KBØBAW, Cousin WDØFHK, Nephews KCØQIO & KCØKTP, Brother KCØQIN –KØKU President—1989-1991 –Started the NE KS ARC with WVØS for KU, KSU & Washburn Alumni interested in repeaters-Became NEKSUN –Operations Director of NEKSUN (NEKSARC/Sunflower Interlink) -14 repeaters 26 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 Compuware at UMB –Maintenance director for Heartland Tower

3. 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?

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Packet Radio In ‘packet’ radio, QSO’s are always between ‘connected’ stations, Error correction & acknowledgement ensures receipt Several qso’s can take place simultaneously on the same frequency Packet qso’s may be digipeated by stations upon specific request

9. How is APRS different from Packet Radio? Communication is ‘one to many’ Uses generic digipeating with standard aliases (wide1-1,wide2-1) Supports intelligent digipeating to reduce network flooding Uses UI frames for messaging, bulletins and announcements Provides maps and other features

10. 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 ACK Reception is not guaranteed

11. Frequencies VHF 1200 baud –Primary (Digis) 144.39 –Secondary (No Infrastructure) 144.34 UHF 1200 baud –Primary (Digis) 446.175 –Secondary (No Infrastructure) 441.175 HF 30M 300 baud –10.15151 LSB Satellite 1200 baud –ISS Downlink 145.800, uplink 145.990 –PCsat simplex 145.828

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 –Email capability Need to be able to send short messages to internet users

16. 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

17. Every Day Fun Passive Fun –Watch all the dots (don’t agitate them!) –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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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 email message

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

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

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

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

29. Hardware Tiny Trak III kit ($30) http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/index.html Pocket Tracker Kit: ($89) http://www.byonics.com/pockettracker/ A self-contained tracking/telemetry module ALSO Includes the RADIO! Self Contained

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

31. 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

32. 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 USED! –Use Wide1-1 –Home stations set MYALIAS to wide1-1

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

34. Another way to view APRS FINDU – http://www.findu.comhttp://www.findu.com jFINDU – http://www.jfindu.nethttp://www.jfindu.net APRSWorld –http://www.aprsworld.nethttp://www.aprsworld.net

35. 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 http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/aprs-imp.htm http://www.byonics.com

36. Upcoming Activities October 28—JCRAC Auction & Balloon Launch—Tracking by APRS January 29, 2007— kcAPRS.org Winter Summit –NWS Training center--drive to kc0nws

37. Questions ?? Invitation to join k0ham & kcaprs.org This presentation available at kcAPRS.org