2. Topics to be covered What is APRS? Why do I want APRS? How do I view APRS? OK, now how do I go mobile? Current software The internet piece of the puzzle

3. What is APRS A utomatic P osition R eporting S ystem By Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Brief history

4. History of APRS Initial use as we know it in 1990 to track boats during summer cruises. The following flavors followed. MacAPRS WinAPRS APRS+ perlAPRS XAPRS released as beta at 1999 Dayton Hamvention

5. Why do I want APRS? For Starters…. Ok, Joe Ham tells me he has a bike rider down but has no clue were he is. Or, Joe Ham has hail coming down and still has no clue were he is. Joe Ham is part of a disaster evaluation team.

6. How do I view APRS?

7. Software DOS APRS 847 WinAPRS and MacAPRS 2.4.7/3.4.7 APRS+SA 1.99 XAPRS for Linux (currently in beta) 0.4.7 pocket APRS (Palm Pilot) 1.08 APRSdigi, digi software APRSce Version 0.99 (Beta) Build 806 Xastir 0.3.6 aprsD 2.1.4 (APRS server software for Linux, no GUI)

8. OK, now how do I go mobile? TNC route Mic-E route Pic-E route GPS receiver So you want to use a laptop?

9. Mobile Equipment

10. TNC Verses Mic-E or Pic-E TNC route requires a separate radio Mic-E and Pic-E can go in-between radio and mic. Either route can be run on separate radio Either route is referred to as a “TRACKER”

11. A laptop in the vehicle for APRS A TNC or laptop with a soundcard is required AWGPE can use the sound card to emulate a TNC Second radio and antenna Source of power for laptop, inverter or DC plug to the accessory jack Extra set of eyes !!

12. Definitions TRACKERA TRACKER is a mobile station POSITSPOSITS are position reports UI FRAMESUI FRAMES are frames that do not employ error correction techniques, entirely that is. DIGIPEATERS (DIGIS)DIGIPEATERS (DIGIS) are stations that act as a simplex repeater except in a digital format IGATESIGATES are stations that feed data to and from the internet

13. Definitions GATESGATES are stations that take the HF APRS data and retransmits them on VHF and possible the internet. APRServersAPRServers are stations that IGATES send data to and redistribute them to the IGATEs

14. Basic operational description A tracker or fixed stations sends out a UI frame that has lat/long and possibly other data. If the packet burst passes the checksum, the info is then displayed on the screen. If the checksum fails, the packet is lost. This is not a big deal since the posit will be transmitted again soon.

15. The Next Level IGATES, why would I want to do this? IGATES provide a feed to the net so everyone can see what is going on and allows for messaging on a world level Balloons, mobile stations, weather events you want to track, using automated watch/warning data to transmit in your area.

16. What else can I do with APRS Connect your weather station DF abilites track vehicles (balloons, trucks, space vehicles, hurricanes) Messaging, regular format and NTS format Propagation, PropNet Send Weather related information Earthquake origins Create map overlays for specific points

18. Guy Story: W8XF baloon launch on 8.3.97. The X indicates max altitude achieved. Guy Story: W8XF baloon launch on 8.3.97. The X indicates max altitude achieved.

20. Digipeater does and don’ts

21. Other station tips What is my tnc deviation? The target is 3 kHz deviation, not too high or too low TNC2 clones and XR2211 based TNCs are picky about tone quality and amplitude ratio Go to http://www.febo.com/layer-one/index.html for more data. Open squelch?????? Hidden and deaf transmitters, not good

22. Credits Bob Bruninga, WB4APR TAPR Mark, KB2ICI and Keith, WU2Z, Sproul Brent Hilderbrand, KH2Z Steve Dimse, K4HG Mike Musick, N0QBF Rich Perry, W9IF John Ackerman, N8UR Dale Huguley KG5QD

23. Missing Radio Kenwood TH-D7 Owner is Russ McConnel Sebastian Florida if found please see registration table