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APRS Basics and Tracking

Joe Foley N1ZRN/TF IRA Meeting 29/3/2012. APRS Basics and Tracking. What is APRS?. Automation of what we do Relay radio messages to their destination Simplified AX.25 implementation for ease of use Ad-hoc data infrastructure Cheap GPS location tracking Check weather station data.

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APRS Basics and Tracking

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  1. Joe Foley N1ZRN/TF IRA Meeting 29/3/2012 APRS Basics and Tracking

  2. What is APRS? • Automation of what we do • Relay radio messages to their destination • Simplified AX.25 implementation for ease of use • Ad-hoc data infrastructure • Cheap GPS location tracking • Check weather station data

  3. What is APRS NOT? • NOT a way to pass encrypted data from one place to another • NOT for streaming video or pictures • NOT the internet • OK, this is a bit of a lie due to IGates like TF3RPG

  4. I have a smartphone with GPS, why do I care? • Your cellphone has a maximum power of 100mW at ~1-3Ghz • Without Siminn/Vodaphone, you have an expensive brick • APRS can use higher power, higher gain, different frequencies • You get greater control over your data and who sees it.

  5. What do I need to use APRS? • You need three parts • Something to generate or process data • GPS module, weather station, microcontroller • Something that understands AX.25 signalling • Microcontroller, custom ASIC • Terminal Node Controller • Something that can transmit/receive radio signals • You know what this is... • A valid wireless license of course!

  6. Generate or Process Data http://www.kr7rk.com/DavisVP2.jpg http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/arduino_uno_test.jpg http://www.berkut13.com/aprs/aprs02.jpg

  7. AX.25 ModemsPortable TNC http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak4/ http://www.argentdata.com TinyTrak4 OpenTracker USB

  8. AX.25 ModemStandard TNC http://www.universal-radio.com/used/UW61lrg.jpg http://wb0wao.net/images/tnc-x.jpg

  9. AX.25 ModemArduino Argent Radio Shield Trackuino Shield: Arduino is the TNC!

  10. APRS-ready Transceivers http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Amateur_Radio/Portables/TH-D72A http://www.yaesu.com/ProductImages/VX-8GR_thumb.jpg Kenwood TH-D72A Yaesu VX-8GR

  11. I bought the toys, now what?

  12. APRS Callsigns • -0 Primary • -1..4 Generic • -5 Other net • -6 Special • -7 Human • -8 Boats/RV • -9 Primary • -10 Internet • -11 Balloons • -12 Trackers • -13 Weather • -14 Truckers • -15 Generic <yourcallsign>-<SSID>

  13. Digipeater“Digital Repeater” • Two kinds • WIDE1 (fill-in) • WIDE2 (wide area) • Frequency: 144.800 MHz (Europe) • You can use other frequencies too!

  14. Digipeater Aliases • All respond to WIDE1 • Only WIDE2 responde to WIDE2 • If WIDE(n) where n>2, • WIDE2 respond, and relay WIDE(n-1) • To prevent packets bouncing forever

  15. Paths • APRS is simplified AX.25 • AX.25 allows long-range many hops • APRS intended for local use • Suggested • Mobiles: WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 • Stations: <relay>,WIDE2-1 • Airborne: WIDE2-1 or WIDE2-2 • Low altitude: WIDE1-1

  16. Beaconing • Transmit “something” to every ARPS Station in earshot (usually location) • Set transmit rate according to speed • >2 min for driving • >20 min for stationary • Position comment • “Emergency” will cause people to notice! • Objects • Hamfest, accident, meeting

  17. http://20poorandfabulous.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/texting2.jpghttp://20poorandfabulous.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/texting2.jpg

  18. Sending Messages • You can broadcast or send • Specific callsign • Groups • ALL in range • This message can have a position, so people can go there

  19. Internet Gates (IGates) • If you can get to one, you can: • Send email • Report position to webpage https://aprs.fi • WHO-IS: Lookup info on a callsign • CQ Server for APRS QSO

  20. Questions? • Much of this material is from “APRS Beginner Guide 2011 by K9DCI” • There is interest at RU for APRS development • Joe Foley foley@ru.is N1ZRN/TF is an instructor of mechatronics and mechanical design at Reykjavik University

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