Hello all. I've been surfing the web, reading about APRS but I am confused
about one thing. How does the GPS play into the whole thing? Can anyone give me
a webpage with a good explanation of how everything links together (planing on
using a Handspring Visor Prism with my KPC-3 and a cheap 2m mobile rig)? If
anyone can suggest a specific GPS unit, that would be good. Email replies are
welcome.

Also, does anyone sell a Palm pilot mount for the car?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
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"VHFRadioBuff" wrote

I've been surfing the web, reading about APRS but I am confused
about one thing. How does the GPS play into the whole thing?

APRS is designed to report "positions." These positions are derived from
some kind of NMEA 0183 protocol device.

Any GPS that provides a serial output, NMEA 0193, and WGS 84
based position references would be acceptable. I like Garmin products.

Check out the Geko 301 (Wow!)

People in other parts of the world may use a different datum then WGS 84,
and their position may not correlate well to U.S. based maps.


[GPS with WGS 84 datum and serial port NMEA]
[Data modulator]
[Radio]

Most people use a tracker device based on a one-chip PIC processor,
and run that to a radio.

As people move around the tracker decodes the NMEA lat/lon/speed
and/or altitude, and modulates the radio and signals the PTT.

So how does the GPS interface with the system? I know the Palm Pilot connects
to the TNC and the TNC connects to the radio. Do you know of some good websites
that explain more? I will check into the Geko 301.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
Fight Spam! http://spamcop.net
National "Do Not Call" Registry: http://donotcall.gov

So how does the GPS interface with the system? I know the Palm Pilot connects
to the TNC and the TNC connects to the radio. Do you know of some good websites
that explain more? I will check into the Geko 301.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
Fight Spam! http://spamcop.net
National "Do Not Call" Registry: http://donotcall.gov

If you have a lot of time, then cobble stuff together.
Otherwise, write a check and buy an APRS-integrated radio
like a Kenwood TM-D700A. Just remember it's not suitable for
ordinary connected-mode packet cause of a blatant bug, but it's
a fine APRS radio.


Hmm.. just looked at that.. $520? That's a bit more than I wanted to spend. I
already have a KPC-3. I figured I could use that and buy a used 2m radio,
probably for less than $100. The interface for a stand alone GPS unit is too
complicated?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
Fight Spam! http://spamcop.net
National "Do Not Call" Registry: http://donotcall.gov

VHFRadioBuff wrote:
If you have a lot of time, then cobble stuff together.
Otherwise, write a check and buy an APRS-integrated radio
like a Kenwood TM-D700A. Just remember it's not suitable for
ordinary connected-mode packet cause of a blatant bug, but it's
a fine APRS radio.



Hmm.. just looked at that.. $520?

Yeah. Figure the price of a 1200/9600 baud TNC and a dual-band
mobile and it's not a bad deal. Never mind the fact it's
pre-assembled and functional when you get it. You only really
have to make the cable from the GPS receiver to the TM-D700A.

Alternatively, the TH-D7 might be just the ticket.

That's a bit more than I wanted to spend. I
already have a KPC-3. I figured I could use that and buy a used 2m radio,
probably for less than $100. The interface for a stand alone GPS unit is too
complicated?

Not really. It's just kinda cool not to have a bunch of stuff cobbled
together in the car, the reliability is probably much better for the
more integrated unit. You can use the D700 while it's also running
APRS and so on.

A TH-D7 is an HT version and might be a better deal if you just
want to broadcast your location and speed all the time.

Dana K6JQ

Yeah. Figure the price of a 1200/9600 baud TNC and a dual-band
mobile and it's not a bad deal. Never mind the fact it's
pre-assembled and functional when you get it. You only really
have to make the cable from the GPS receiver to the TM-D700A.

Let's look at used prices:

Old 2m mobile (Don't need a dualbander!): $50

KPC-3+: $125

$175+/- total vs $520 new for a dualband radio with built in TNC. Maybe if it
had an integrated GPS, the $520 price tag would be worth it, or if it was my
primary mobile rig.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
Fight Spam! http://spamcop.net
National "Do Not Call" Registry: http://donotcall.gov

Yeah. Figure the price of a 1200/9600 baud TNC and a dual-band
mobile and it's not a bad deal. Never mind the fact it's
pre-assembled and functional when you get it. You only really
have to make the cable from the GPS receiver to the TM-D700A.

Let's look at used prices:

Old 2m mobile (Don't need a dualbander!): $50

KPC-3+: $125

$175+/- total vs $520 new for a dualband radio with built in TNC. Maybe if it
had an integrated GPS, the $520 price tag would be worth it, or if it was my
primary mobile rig.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
Fight Spam! http://spamcop.net
National "Do Not Call" Registry: http://donotcall.gov

VHFRadioBuff wrote:
If you have a lot of time, then cobble stuff together.
Otherwise, write a check and buy an APRS-integrated radio
like a Kenwood TM-D700A. Just remember it's not suitable for
ordinary connected-mode packet cause of a blatant bug, but it's
a fine APRS radio.



Hmm.. just looked at that.. $520?

Yeah. Figure the price of a 1200/9600 baud TNC and a dual-band
mobile and it's not a bad deal. Never mind the fact it's
pre-assembled and functional when you get it. You only really
have to make the cable from the GPS receiver to the TM-D700A.

Alternatively, the TH-D7 might be just the ticket.

That's a bit more than I wanted to spend. I
already have a KPC-3. I figured I could use that and buy a used 2m radio,
probably for less than $100. The interface for a stand alone GPS unit is too
complicated?

Not really. It's just kinda cool not to have a bunch of stuff cobbled
together in the car, the reliability is probably much better for the
more integrated unit. You can use the D700 while it's also running
APRS and so on.

A TH-D7 is an HT version and might be a better deal if you just
want to broadcast your location and speed all the time.

Dana K6JQ

If your Kantronics is V6 or higher, read the manual about connecting a GPS to
it. It will 'share' a port on the TNC.

Looking at the manual, it says it's version 5.0. When I use the "version"
command, I get this:

KPC3-54CF3230-5.1

I am guessing this is version 5.1? Is there a firmware update to bring it to
6.0?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB (ex: KF4KHC/HL9HCT)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com
Fight Spam! http://spamcop.net
National "Do Not Call" Registry: http://donotcall.gov