WV8RAG
APRS Information
Automatic
Packet Reporting System APRS utilizes
radio equipment, the Global Positioning System and computers to broadcast information
concerning real time events. The information is transmitted and
received by radio in the form of digital data and displayed graphically on
computer terminals. Here is an
example of the APRS data displayed on a computer terminal:
Each icon
represents an individual APRS station with particular information: vehicle
tracking, weather data, fixed station location, digital repeater locations
and their capabilities. The map and data change as often as the
information is broadcasted. As you can see, a wealth of information can
be disseminated. KE8NK-3
Digital Repeater A digital
repeater or "digi" extends the range of mobile and portable
stations transmitting digital data just as a conventional repeater
extends the range of voice transmissions. The Ritchie Amateur Group
APRS digi was implemented on KD8AMN-5
Citizen Weather Observer Program Station APRS has the
unique ability to record and track weather conditions. Here is an
example:
You may visit
the KD8AMN-5 link below to view current and historical weather
conditions. Equipment
Needed for APRS A typical
APRS station consists of a two meter radio, a Terminal Node Controller
(TNC), a GPS unit and a computer or display terminal. Depending on the
application, however, all of these components may not be necessary. For
instance, any licensed amateur operator with an internet connection can use
APRS software to input their position into an APRS server. There are
other numerous options with pros and cons. First, determine your
application, then, acquire the components that will suit your needs. What's a
TNC? TNC is an
abbreviation for Terminal Node Controller. It works much like your
computer modem. If you didn't know, modem is a word that developed from
the words modulate and demodulate. In other words, a TNC modulates,
converts digital data to audio tones to be transmitted, and demodulates,
converts the audio tones back to digital data to be received and displayed on
a terminal. Local
Activity APRS was
interfaced to the internet in the 1990s. Internet Gateways or
I-Gates, make it possible for anyone with an internet connection to view APRS
activity. Here are some
links where you may view local activity: Local
Stations - A view of local APRS stations. KE8NK-3 Digi - The Ritchie Amateur Group wide
digital repeater: Equipment: Yaesu FT-3000 2 meter transceiver and
a Kantronics KPC 3+ TNC. Output power is 10 watts. KE8NK-1 - Don's Home
Station: Equipment: Kenwood D700 dual band transceiver connected to a PC
running UI-View software. KE8NK-5 - Don's Mobile
Station: Equipment: Yaesu FT-90 dual band transceiver, Tiny Trak 3 Plus
TNC and a Deluo GPS. KD8AMN-5 - Jim's Weather
Station: Equipment: Oregon Scietific Deluxe Weather Station connected to a PC
running UI-View software. KN8J - Mike's
Portable Station: Equipment: Yaesu VX7R dual band transceiver, Tiny Trak
3 Plus and a Deluo GPS. KN8J-1 - Mike's Home
Station: Equipment: Kenwood D700 dual band transceiver connected to a PC
running UI-View software. KC8URS - Donna's Mobile
Station: Equipment: Kenwood D700 dual band transceiver and a Garmin GPS
III. More APRS
Information APRS is one
small part of the Amateur Radio You may
visit the following links for more information: APRS - Bob
Bruninga's (the creator of APRS) website. APRSWORLD - An internet database of APRS
activity; simple search by call sign. Find U - Another internet database;
searches are a little more complex, but has more features. CWOP - The
Citizen Weather Observer Program. UI-View 32 -
APRS computer software. APRS
Equipment Links TM-D700A - An APRS ready
dual band transceiver. TH-D7AG - An APRS ready
portable transceiver. DR-135T/EMKIII - A mobile transceiver that can be ordered with an
optional TNC for APRS operations. Also includes a GPS input. KPC-3+ - A popular Terminal Node
Controller (TNC) commonly used as an APRS Digipeater. Tiny Track - An inexpensive solution for position
tracking. TigerTrak - Another moderately priced position
tracker. |