1. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR APRS Adapted from Bob Bruninga’s FrostFest 08 presentation - by K9DCI July 2008-May 2010 May 2010, K9DCI Introductory Overview

2. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR What is APRS? ● APRS = Automatic Packet Reporting System ● APRS was developed in the early 1990's for local tactical digital communications, situational awareness and TWO-WAY information exchange using Amateur radio. ● Not just Vehicle Tracking!!!

3. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR What is APRS all about? ● The APRS System was developed to provide immediate local digital and graphical information exchange between all participants in an event. This includes not only tracking and monitoring position data, but also status, messaging, bulletins all without having to maintain packet connections. ● Typical data: Local information of value e.g. Meetings, Repeaters, IRLP Nodes, Storms Positions of all stations and objects Status of all stations Messages, Bulletins and Announcements Weather data and telemetry DF bearings and signal strengths for quick transmitter hunting ● Typical applications are: Routine local awareness of all ham radio events and assets around you Marathons, races, events and public service Search and rescue Family communications, tracking and email Mobile-to-mobile global messaging Weather data exchange and display Efficient multi-user Satellite communications May 2010, K9DCI

4. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Scope of APRS ● APRS consists of a very large land based wireless network. Almost 30,000 users around the world. ● This network works via Repeaters every 20-30 miles called “digipeaters.” And Globally via IGates to the internet (APRS-IS). ● APRS is also used via some of the Amateur Satellites. ● It is also used to monitor telemetry values of weather stations for the National Weather Service (NWS) ● APRS has the capability to quickly relay telemetry values to research centers without the Internet. APRS stations in the US Feb 2009, K9DCI

5. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR APRS MisConceptions! ● That APRS is just Vehicle Tracking instead of a Real-Time Information Distribution System. ● That APRS is dependent on GPS for its value (GPS is not needed. See Objects). ● Failure to use the APRS built-in Mile-Marks (file) for tracking all other non-APRS mobiles. ● Using APRS clients that only do maps and ignored too many of the APRS fundamentals. ● Ignored the fundamental Decay Algorithm to accelerate new data, and decay old data! ● Failure to understand that APRS is all about OBJECTS:. See Objects 101 and Operations ● Failure to use real-time messaging:. See Messages 101 and Message Operations ● Failure to implement the original APRS Centralized Common Bulletin Board concept. ● Not understanding the APRS operator’s role as a Data Input (Objects, Bulletins and Messages) ● Not using the D7 and D700 as data entry and clipboard display units at field events. ● Failure to understand how to best use APRS Displays in support of real-time events. ● Failure to display APRS symbols with all their attributes and colors without clicking them ● Failure to manage the network by adjusting the local digipeater for the situation at hand. ● Not realizing the importance of Voice Operating frequencies in APRS. See APRS-tactical.html

6. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Various APRS Stations (two-way) APRS is a Network intended for real-time Tactical INFORMATION exchange. This means TWO-WAY.

7. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR What’s a TNC Radio Audio Modem uP Bytes, Words, Packets, Protocol TNC Bits Messages, Control, Mailbox, interface Packet Messages & Commands PC Terminal Node Controller End Point Packet Station Well... Controller APRS Client Software Control Feb 2009, K9DCI

8. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Comparison to Ordinary Packet PacketAPRS MOSTLY One-to-One (connected) To specific station via specific digipeaters Request, ACK, Confirm, Message Requires knowledge the RF network Must specify specific call signs Must specify specific digipeaters. Smart nodes began to auto-rout. Can do (Ham) Broadcasts Has bulletin and Message groups APRS is a Group (subset) of Packet Fading out of usage MOSTLY (Ham) Broadcasts Send & Pray All APRS transmissions go to “APRS” Little knowledge of the RF network All digipeaters have the “same” call. Ham only specifies # of hops Standard Path Settings. Can do One-to-One Messages Sends 5 times or until ACK APRS is its own Supergroup Growing in Popularity & Functions DF assistance Satellite Digipeaters Internet Backbone> World-Wide contacts Station location map/Image (Google) E-Mail (send only)& WinLink2000 QRZ Query CQ Server (world wide) For Ex-Packeteers and Newbies May 2010, K9DCI

9. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Add the Kenwood D72

10. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Kenwood TM-D700A Discontinued ● Built-in screen display of other APRS stations and front-panel send/receive messaging. ● Other APRS station locations are sent to the attached GPS map for display. n ● Dual band 144/440 MHz 50/35 Watts ● Built-in 1200/9600 bps TNC including digipeater Kenwood TH-D7A(G) Discontinued TM-D710 ● Adds operating Freq to every posit ! ● Auto tunes to others with Freq! ● Shows local Voice Repeaters ! Kenwood Discontinued as of June 2008 Discontinued Feb 2009, K9DCI

11. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Alinco DR-135T/EJ-41U ● Allows direct input from any standard GPS. ● Basic 1200/9600 bps TNC ● Basic 2 M Radio with optional TNC. (Opentrack makes a drop in tracker TNC) (Opentrack makes a drop in tracker TNC) equires a PC to set it up, and there is no APRS display directly on the radio. ● Unlike the Kenwood radios, it requires a PC to set it up, and there is no APRS display directly on the radio.

12. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Yaesu VX-8R Quad band Feb 2010 K9DCI ● TX Range: 50-54 144-148 222-225 440-450 ● Power max: 5 W FM 1 W AM 5 W 1.5 W 5 W ● RX: AM FM WFM 500 kHz - 999.99 MHz. (Cell blocked) ● Dual Independent Ham Receive (V/V, V/U, U/U ) ● Simultaneous AM/FM stereo broadcast Rx ● CTCSS DCS Encode & Decode ● APRS 1200/9600 bps (B band only) ● Weather Receiving with Weather Alert ● Barometric (altitude) and Temperature sensors ● 1267 Memories (some are frequency specific) ● Memory name 16 characters ● Spectrum Display ±50 channels ● Time domain display (O-scope) of received modulation ● Submersible IPX57 (3 feet for minimum of 30 minutes) ● 7.4 V 1100 mAh 1800 mAh Lithium-Ion batteries 3.7” x 2.4” x 0.9” ● VOX, ARTS, AM Band Bar Antenna, CW Practice, Emergency CW Tx, Rx Atten Clock timer, TOT, APO, Mic gain, Bat saver, Fixed Tx offsets. Int/Ext Charge ● Options: ● 3x AA battery pack (reduced Tx power 1.5W 50/144/440 0.5W 222) ● Bluetooth hands-free with BU-1 and BH-1 (stereo) or BH-2 (mono) ● GPS unit [Requires Bluetooth mic or remote mic]

13. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Yaesu FT-350 tri-band ● TX Range: 144/220 and 430 MHz Power: 50 W 144 & 430, 1W 223 MHz ● RX: 0.5-1.7 AM, 76-108 WFM, 108-250, 300-1,000MHz (Cell block) FM WFM ● 1051 Memories (500 each side and specific function memories) ● Dual Independent Ham Receive (V/V, V/U, U/U ) ● Cross Band Repeat [?? Digi ??] ● Simultaneous AM/FM stereo broadcast Rx ● CTCSS DCS Encode & Decode ● APRS & Packet capable 1200/9600 bps ● Weather Receiving with Weather Alert ● Memory name 8 characters ● 9 DTMF memories 16-digit ● Front panel DTMF or hand held Mic DTMF ● Barometric sensor (for altitude) and Temperature ● Band Scope ● Options: ● Control Head Separation – 20 ft cable ● Bluetooth hands-free with BU-1 and BH-1A (stereo) or BH-2A (mono) ● FPR-1 Remote Monitor – allows others to listen remotely ● Two Line inputs, GPS unit ? Information from: http://www.yaesu.com/ Mar 2010, K9DCI

14. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR APRS – is Local Info! Last 100 stations! Direction & Distance Frequency and Tone Mobiles and HT are 100% compatible

15. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR TRACKERS (two-way) Trackers have no APRS data display. So the receiver should be tuned to a beaconed Voice frequency so the operator can be involved in the Net! The only value for these units is tracking some non-manned assets at large movement events such as marathons, bike-a-thons, parades and other community events, and maybe search & rescue teams. One-way APRS is NOT normally recommended. APRS is a Network. We want good communications among all participants for maximum utility.

16. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Voice Alert! ● Effectively a 3 rd Radio channel. D7, D700, D710 radios. ● Great for meeting APRS users while traveling. For Mobiles Only. Fixed stations SHOULD NOT send Tone. ● Set Mobile APRS Rx (144.39 ) to PL-100 CT (in U.S.), but keep the volume turned up: You’ll only hear nearby mobile Beacon squawks on 144.39 Answer and QSY to a voice channel. ● Fixed APRS & NON-APRS mobiles may listen for transient APRS mobiles. But NOT transmit APRS beacons. This is a “Human Listening” signal. ● Trackers & NON-APRS mobiles Warning: be very careful if using Speaker Jack and CTCSS ! Automatic CQ for Traveling APRS Mobiles Also usable by NON-APRS mobiles! Mar 2010, K9DCI

17. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR APRS Event Mesaging Score Message Score = 42 for troop 874 Score Data Received Scores being reported Feb 2009, K9DCI

18. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR users per degree of lat/long Feb 2009, K9DCI

19. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Software “Clients” add features APRSDos Has the Most Features

20. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR ALOHA circle and digipeater hops [Your ALOHA circle is your 100% saturated channel range]

21. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Range Circles

22. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Range circles and Path tracing

23. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR DFing by signal strength Gray = Not heard (phg circles) Colored Heard circles = inverse signal strength. Feb 2009, K9DCI

24. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Solo DF Fade Circle Technique Solo DF Fade Circle Technique white dots are fade-out locations Feb 2009, K9DCI

25. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Solo DF Fade Circle Technique Alternate display in APRSDos

26. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR 3D views for Balloon tracking This is part of APRSdos software Feb 2009, K9DCI

27. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Tracking with Milemarks

28. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Traffic Speed Posts Shows speed of traffic past special points (captures APRS mobile’s speeds)

29. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR APRS Event Data Entry Arial Map View Compare carefully with next slide. Feb 2009, K9DCI

30. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR APRS Event Data Entry Flip between the two But this is only HALF of the APRS function! Feb 2009, K9DCI

31. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR The New-N Paradigm 2005 ● APRS Generic Paths evolved over 13 years and the presence of many old legacy formats and procedures were really bogging down the network making it saturated and unreliable in busy areas. ● In 2005 all old paths were declared obsolete (RELAY & WIDE) and the entire APRS system in the US was then focused only on the WIDEn-N type of generic paths with small values of N. ● A WIDEn-N path goes N hops outward in all directions. ● WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 Currently Recommended Path concept ● Users NEED to understand this. Factor of 3 to 5 improvement! IMPORTANT Feb 2009, K9DCI

32. APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Aa The APRS Land Network Multiple Hops And to the Internet Gateway Digipeaters