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A.P.R.S. or Automatic Packet Reporting System
APRS has been around for a while. It uses unnumbered
frames or packets of information. One common use is the tracking of positions. Stations would send out there information
such as postion, weather conditions, heading, speed, and messages. For example I would hook up a GPS to a TNC of Radio
Modem, and then to radio. The GPS would receive my current position, and send the information to the Radio Modem.
The Radio Moodem would assemble a message in a packet, containing my callsign, message, and GPS information, and transmit
it through the Radio. Other stations can receive these packets directly or a Internet Gate Station will receive the
local packets, and send to to the APRS server on the internet. There are internet sites for these packets, and also
there are computer programs. APRS is used for weather spotting since you can use weather radar overlays on the
maps , along with spotter locations on the maps. APRS is used at public events to track the whereabouts of stations,
ect. Also APRS is used to send your position to the public, so friends / family can track you on a long trip to make
sure you are safe, or they have an idea how close you are, or made it home safe. APRS is a lot of fun, and this is why
it is so popular. The national frequency is currently 144.390Mhz. You use packet at 1200bauds. I STRONGLY
recommend that you join a APRS yahoo groups. Here you can get a lot of help for setup, debugging, and current correct
settings. This will greatly enhance your pleasure in using APRS.
Kenwood D710A
A APRS ready radio with everything you need built in except the GPS. The AvMap G5T was designed
for use with this radio, and offers built-in tools other systems can only do with use of a computer.
APRSworld
UI-View
APRS+SA
winAPRS
Xastir (Linux)
APRS.net
Bob Bruniga's (APRS founder) Site
FINDu
Icom IC-92 AD (picture on the right)
This HT supports both D-Star and APRS abilities. And you can
order a hand-mic that has a built-in GPS. How cool is that?!! You do not need a big bulky station anymore to do
APRS, plus it has the added ability to do D-Star, which is getting more popular all the time. With D-Star, you can have
digital voice, or share pictures, files, text and more. Sort of like long distance WiFi done Ham Style.
Big Red Bee
Wiscsn. Val. R.A.(APRS)
Tiny Tracker
Here is a Tiny Tracker, and all you have to do is ad a GPS and a radio and you have APRS.
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