1. APRS Emergencies & Drills
Kansas City
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
kcAPRS.org
APRS Organization
KØHAM.com
NEKSUN
SUNFLOWER INTERLINK
NE KS ARC

2. Why We Are Here What is APRS? What software should I use?
What Hardware should I use?
What do I need to know about the existing APRS network?
How can I use APRS for Emergencies?
How can I use APRS for Drills?

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Frequencies VHF UHF HF Primary (Digis): 144.39 1200 baud
Secondary: baud
UHF
Primary (Digis): baud
Secondary: baud HF
30M LSB 300 baud

6. 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

7. APRS Data Types Station Beacons Objects Messages
Contain call, location, symbol, status, time, speed, alt. vector
Wx beacons add wx info
Objects
Created by an APRS as an icon
Contains same data as beacon
Can be moved and adopted by other APRS stations
Messages
Short Text (<68 char) between two stations in 4 ways
Station to Station direct or via digi
Station to Station via TCPIP
RF station to Internet Station
RF station to recipient

8. APRS Emergency Operations
On Demand Station Types
Internet Client
Internet Website
Base
Mobile
Tracker
Existing Infrastructure
Igate
Digi

9. Internet Client Using a software client like UI-View
Can see all APRS station & beacon info
Can send beacons & msgs if setup with a local IGATE +
Avoids having another radio in the EOC
Avoids interference with other VHF radios
Good Mapping & weather integration -
Requires good internet connectivity

10. Internet Website Using a webpage like findu.com or aprsworld.net
Can see all APRS station & beacon info
Can send beacons & msgs if setup with a local IGATE +
Avoids having another radio in the EOC
Avoids interference with other VHF radios
Good Mapping & weather integration
No APRS software installation required -
Requires good internet connectivity
No abililty to send objects, beacons, or messages

11. Base Uses a TNC & Radio & PC to Send & Receive & display data
Software Client (like UI-View) displays info seen on a Map
May also connect to internet to see more stations nationwide or act as an IGATE
Can act as a fill in digi (set tnc myalias to wide1-1)

12. Mobile Uses a TNC & Radio & PC to Send & Receive & display data
Software Client (like UI-View) displays info seen on a Map
May also connect to internet (via wi-fi) to see more stations nationwide or act as an IGATE
Can act as a fill in digi (set tnc myalias to wide1-1)

13. Tracker Uses Transmit TNC and Radio
Only sends position for that particular TNC & Radio
Cannot see other APRS users
May be used on Canteens or other unmanned resources

14. Infrastructure IGATES Can be home users or dedicated stations DIGIS
Use Radio, TNC and Internet connection
Sends all RF data to Internet Servers
Sends SELECT Internet Data to RF (Bandwidth Constrained)
DIGIS
Located at high locations throughout the area
Respond to Wide1-1, Wide2-2, Wide3-3
Respond to their own call for specific routing

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

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

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

23. Hardware Computers for UI-View Consideration for a TNC with GPS
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.

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

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

26. Hardware KPC-2, KAM, MFJ, others Good for Home use Low cost
Check for deals

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

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

29. 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

30. Internet APRS viewing FINDU jFINDU APRSWorld http://www.findu.com
APRSWorld

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

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

33. UI-View Usage
Run UI-view & enter registration information (including APRS server logon)
Turn on alternative mouse actions,, turn on show range scale, turn on auto log, turn off announce stations first time, MISC- turn off splash screen , turn on more detail
Setup Comms, 19200, 8N1 edit ini file add blt 00:00:00 on startup & blt 00:05:00 on exit.
Setup Station APRS,WIDE2-2, add beacon comment, fixed 30, mobile 5, 1 mile symbols
GPS Setup, Shared port setup, cross hairs, clock set (-6)
Copy all the .pos files to uiv-view\overlays
Copy marine zones, counties & forecast zones to ui-view\nws\shapefiles
Install, height tracker, ui-traffic, nwsget
Install fcc callbook server--Copy en.dat and amateur.dat to uiv-view/fccsrv folder
Load Map-Precision Mapping 7
Run UI-NWS, under shapes setup ensure use map server special features is NOT checked
How to delete stations (CTRL-DELETE in stations window)