I think APRS is nice, although a bit expensive to get going, as is D-Star
which has data features too.
I bought my 2 meter set up from Byonics (http://www.byonics.com/microtrak/)
and have it up and working for less than $200.

I have read that the only equipment required for an Igate was a receiver, a
computer with a sound card and an internet connection. I have a scanner
that covers 144.39 and a internet computer with a sound card. However I
have not been able to get the software to function yet. This guy makes it
sound easy (http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/igate.htm).

There must be some I gates around the area because there are Hams showing up
on APRS.fi

I am still trying to understand TNC terminal node controllers and what they
do. I have a lot to learn.

Gary

KI6SFG wrote:

I think APRS is nice, although a bit expensive to get going, as is D-Star
which has data features too.
I bought my 2 meter set up from Byonics
(http://www.byonics.com/microtrak/) and have it up and working for less
than $200.

I have read that the only equipment required for an Igate was a
receiver, a computer with a sound card and an internet connection. I
have a scanner that covers 144.39 and a internet computer with a sound
card. However I have not been able to get the software to function
yet. This guy makes it sound easy
(http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/igate.htm).

There must be some I gates around the area because there are Hams
showing up on APRS.fi

I am still trying to understand TNC terminal node controllers and what
they do. I have a lot to learn.

Your basic station requirements:

A 2 meter rig.

A TNC, either software or hardware

A GPS antenna/reciever - not needed if you are setting up a base
station, but pretty necessary if you are going mobile.

There are some freeware packages out there, like UIview but I went for
APRSview, a commercial product. It can include a copy of MapPoint.


My system is as follows:

Microsoft Streets and Trips running on a laptop in conjunction with
MapPoint and APRSpoint. They all mesh together.

I use the GPS receiver included in Streets and trips. I'm no fan of
Microsoft, but this is one of their best products, and the receiver is
very good. I get connected within seconds almost always. Faster than the
other units I've seen anyhow.

The APRSpoint software has a software TNC, so I don't have to use one of
those.

My radio is a Kenwood D-700, probably the best unit to use for APRS. It
does have a built in TNC, but I don't use it for my setup. If you use
UIview, or the built in APRS setup within the D-700, you'll want that
built in TNC. plus the APRS antenna would have to be plugged directly
into the D-700 for the alternative setup..

With this setup, I can send and track over a wide range area while
mobile. This is another area where the D-700 shines. I highly recommend
it or it's successor, the D-710. Not cheap radios, but if you are
serious about APRS, they are the gold standard. You can use the radio
for voice comms at the same time you are squawcking APRS. 50 watts
output into an efficient 2 meter antenna, and I can hit a APRS repeater
from most places in Pennsylvania.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

On Jul 31, 4:02 pm, Michael Coslo wrote:
KI6SFG wrote:

Your basic station requirements:

A 2 meter rig.

Check... OLD Icom 2 Meter rig and suitable antenna for moble use.

A TNC, either software or hardware

Um... You say software? What is out there? I know they have software
for the HF digital modes, but I didn't see anything for the VHF/UHF
stuff... I have the laptop to run it on, and I can run both Linux or
Windoz on it...

A GPS antenna/reciever - not needed if you are setting up a base
station, but pretty necessary if you are going mobile.

Again Check....


The APRSpoint software has a software TNC, so I don't have to use one of
those.


I would assume that you would need some way to key the transmitter and
the proper cables between the radio and the computer (in my case it
will be a laptop).

I guess all I need is some software TNC. Wow, maybe the time will
show up soon.. A hardware TNC is hard to hide from the XYL, but
software is easy...

-= bob =-

KC4UAI wrote:
On Jul 31, 4:02 pm, Michael Coslo wrote:

A TNC, either software or hardware

Um... You say software? What is out there?

I know it's a bit dated, but an example of a software TNC
would be the Baycom modem that was used with the Commodore
C-64 computer. Simply a tone modem IC and the actual bit
shuffling was done by the computer.

Kind of like the WinModem for the PC that let the computer
do all the "what's this" stuff and made the modems totally
useless under anything other than the Windows OS.

I guess all I need is some software TNC. Wow, maybe the time will
show up soon.. A hardware TNC is hard to hide from the XYL, but
software is easy...

They make small TNCs, the Tigertronics Baypac comes to mind.

http://www.tigertronics.com/73magbp1.htm

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi

On Fri, 1 Aug 2008 01:45:20 EDT, Jeffrey D Angus wrote:

KC4UAI wrote:
On Jul 31, 4:02 pm, Michael Coslo wrote:

A TNC, either software or hardware

Um... You say software? What is out there?

I know it's a bit dated, but an example of a software TNC
would be the Baycom modem that was used with the Commodore
C-64 computer. Simply a tone modem IC and the actual bit
shuffling was done by the computer.

Kind of like the WinModem for the PC that let the computer
do all the "what's this" stuff and made the modems totally
useless under anything other than the Windows OS.

A modern software that works with windows is AGWPE created by SV2AGW.
You can download it here http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm
This site tells you how to use it http://www.kc2rlm.info/soundcardpacket/
73 de Dick, AC7EL

Dick Grady AC7EL wrote:

A modern software that works with windows is AGWPE created by SV2AGW.
You can download it here http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm
This site tells you how to use it http://www.kc2rlm.info/soundcardpacket/
73 de Dick, AC7EL


Plus the APRSPoint software has a software TNC. If software TNC is all
that is desired, it is overkill, but for a complete setup, maps, dots,
and internet or RF station placement, it is pretty good.

Around 50 dollars for the program by itself, around 70 for the Programs
plus MapPoint.

Only problem I had was when I changed my call sign, it wouldn't work
for me. An email to their support fixed that in a couple hours. Service
is good.

note: I am not affiliated with APRSPoint in any way, and the above is
just the musings of a happy customer, and not an invitation to buy or
sell the product.

- 73 de