HAM
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The last years a new mode is coming up in OE. It is called APRS.
What is APRS?
APRS is the short form of "Automatic Position Reporting System". You can check where a HAM is at the moment or you
can track his movements when he is mobil. There are some possibilities to use APRS. More follows.
APRS is running in the unproto-format of the AX25-protocol at 144.800 MHz (in EU with some exceptions).
What do you need to get QRV in APRS?
If you are using Packet Radio at home then you are ready for APRS. The only thing you will need additionally
is the equipment for mobil/portable operation.
If you want to transmit your position when you are moving then there are two simple possibilities:
1. 2m - Mobil-/Portabletransceiver (any) + TinyTrak + GPS
2. 2m - Mobil-/Portabletransceiver with built-in TNC (TH-D7E / TH-D700E) + GPS
I am using variant 1 with my Alinco DJ-G5E, a homebuilt TinyTrak mit
with firmware V1.4 and a GPS eTrex from Garmin.
The whole hardware is built into a small plastic box, as you can get it for sample IC's.
The hardware includes the TinyTrak, a linear regulator for 12V car operation and a 9V battery
for portabel operation.
Here you can find some images:
1. A view into the box (looks confusing, doesn't it ;-):
On the left side there you can see the battery (accu). I am using it only when there is no
12V from a car available (portable operation).
To the top right side you can see the heat sunk
of the linear regulator. It provides the 3V power supply for the GPS.
Beneath it is the PCB
of the TinyTrak (version 1), which also has a small 5V voltage regulator.
2. The closed box (looks much better ;-):
On the left picture you can see the lighter plug and the cables to the portable transceiver and the GPS.
On the right picture you can see the complete APRS equipment including the homemade antenna.
To examine the positions of other HAMs you need the following equipment:
2m-FM-Transceiver + Laptop/Palm + modem/TNC/soundcard
And then you will need the proper software:
UI-View, WinAPRS,
DOS APRS
and for the soundcard FlexNet or AGW.
At home I am using an ICOM IC-706 + UI-View32 and for portable/mobil
a Alinco DJ-G5E + TinyTrak (version I) + GPS e-Trex from Garmin.
Via internet you can use the following link to track stations: findu.
With OE_Geocaches.pos (overlay file for UI-View32) you can see the positions of Austrian Geocaches on the map.
Very good sites for more infos are TAPR, OE-APRS-site(german) and DL-APRS-site.
What means the SSID?
The SSID gives you a short info about the kind of the station.
Here the list:
| SSID # | name |
|---|
| 1 | ambulance |
| 2 | bus |
| 3 | fire guard |
| 4 | bycicle |
| 5 | sailing boat |
| 6 | helicopter |
| 7 | aircraft |
| 8 | powerboat |
| 9 | car |
| 10 | motorcycle |
| 11 | balloon |
| 12 | jeep |
| 13 | leisure mobil |
| 14 | truck |
| 15 | van |
