APRS - Ham radio w/BS

This will be about the APRS service, how it can be utilized, shared experiences with it, product reviews and technical support.

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is an amateur radio-based system for real time digital communications of information. Data can include object Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, weather station telemetry, text messages, announcements, queries, and other telemetry.

A quick read that covers a general idea of how we can use it can be found here

https://www.rockcreekoverland.com/single-post/2017/04/27/Ham-Radio---APRS-for-Overland-Use

 

Foreward note, this is a learning journey for me. All expertise and helpful input is encouraged and appreciated.

Currently I'm using the APRSdroid app with great success. While on a group trip I was able to signal my location for all other users to see. Pinned to my real time icon was gps coordinates, the frequency that the group was utilizing, a comment box that we used to identify ourselves as the TW trip in case newly joining travelmates didn't know our call signs they could scroll through the comments field, and also can show a plotted course over time.

Two of the biggest benefits I saw while using this was the ability to keep track of the two groups we had convoying through our trip in Vermont and NH. With plenty of repeaters that support APRS the locations were updates at regular appropriate times (we can cover frequency of sending information while traveling later).

The next was that there was never any confusion on what frequency we were on for communication. A simple look into the directory would show the TW groups comment and the frequency listed right next to it. Anyone joining the trip or even a third party that wanted to contact us would now know who we are and how to reach us. Works great when you roll camp at 10:45pm which is a cell dead zone, but at least you can find them on the radio to let the group know you're almost in. Haha.



And now some more about the app. The first thing is to sign up if you're a ham and have a call sign. You can do it right in the app.

First go to preferences in the top right of the app. This will prompt this screen. Next search for the connection preferences.



The next screen is



From there you can request your passcode. This passcode pin they give you is APRS specific and works on other apps as well.

Once that comes in you'll be able to recieve and transmit information. Without this you will only be able to monitor the maps.


Everything you need
Now if you look closer you can see my information I input from the last trip on the first picture above. Both my frequency and a small note was listed. In the top left of the app is a button that will eventually bring you to this screen called the APRS hub. I bet you can spot the TW user and information on your own



If that call sign is selected you can bring it up on the map to locate them. (Btw Garmin and others support APRS as a guided destination. More later)



And that's it for now. Figured I'd get the ball rolling because it is summer and more group activities are taking place with people joining from all over. Comms are a great tool to keep things organized and safe.



My next topic will be a review on the Mobilelinkd tnc2.2 which allows you to do all of this with no internet needed. It works with amateur radio bands, a hand held radio, this Bluetooth device, and an APRS app. Great for remote locations.

https://store.mobilinkd.com/products/mobilinkd-tnc2-2

PS I'm permanently keeping TW in my comment box to identify TW user . Let make it a thing. Because who doesn't love ragchew about trucks.

 

@medic2230 @Toyotacrawler @baldridge
I'm gonna need you guys to read up and tell me what to do

 

sub'ed for once I get my ham license

 

Soon I hope?

 

hopefully Nov (work reasons). I'm starting to study for it now. Then all I need is to find a radio for my truck. debating hand held so I have something while hiking and such.

 

So tried out APRS last week. Was pretty cool. Think i started having issues with it due to distance from tower. Hopefuly here soon ill run a bluetooth tnc to display on a tablet.

 

Heck yeah. Works great!

 

What tablet? I was thinking samsung 8e or,w/e has gps.

 

I got the Samsung Tab A. I hated the E screen.

 

Awesome. Good to know.

 

Ooh I need to read this thread

 

We were all talking on aprs last week trying to figure it out. I got the D710g radio. Forget what the others have. But we were abke to fix some settings we had. And noticed some other issues (range i think). But if you have questions post em up. Or build/settng pics are a plus

 

I like with that d710 you can QSY direct by clicking the Callsign from another station and it automatically puts the vfo the same as theirs

 

Ive been studying for my exam, but thats been taking a back seat the last few weeks while I look for a new apartment to rent. But I want to learn more about APRS so I can get a better idea of what radio I eventually want to buy

Firm believer in buy once cry once haha

 

Thats what i did. D710g was 500.....

 

Just keep cracking at the test at your own speed. It's not going anywhere. Once both you and Jason are on the Ham bands my life will get easier. Haha

 

Really? Have to check that out. I think i just made mine to display what im on. Bout to check aprs.fi

 

Wish I did that. I went in cold turkey with no guidance though haha. It is a really sweet rig.

 

Only bout it cuz you guys.