APRS in KS, KC & MO

1. NEKSUN KØHAM.com SUNFLOWER INTERLINK NE KS ARC APRS in KS, KC & MO Kansas City • kcAPRS.org • Coordinating organization • for APRS in KS, KC & MO • NEKSUN • Join in the fun of APRS and repeater building across Northeast Kansas kØham.com kcAPRS.org APRS Organization

2. About “Shorty” • First licensed at age 18 in 1987 • Father KØCEY, Step-Mom KBØBAW, Cousin WDØFHK, Nephews KCØQIO & KCØKTP, Brother KCØQIN • KØKU President—1989-1991 • Started the NE KS ARC with WVØS for KU, KSU & Washburn Alumni interested in repeaters-Became NEKSUN • Operations Director of NEKSUN (NEKSARC/Sunflower Interlink) -14 repeaters 26 digipeaters across Kansas & the midwest • President & FC for the Kansas Amateur Repeater Council • Coordinator for kcAPRS.org • Johnson County ARES Emergency Coordinator • Project Management Consultant for Compuware at UMB • Maintenance director for Heartland Tower

3. Why We Are Here • What is APRS? • How did APRS originate? • What software should I use? • What Hardware should I use? • What do I need to know about the existing APRS network? • How can I get involved?

4. What is APRS • Automatic Position Reporting System (previoulsy Automatic Packet Reporting System) • Packet communication protocol for sharing live data on a network in real time • Real time tactical communications and display system for emergencies and public service applications (APRS Spec)

5. History • Invented by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR in 1992 • Devised to facilitate short haul, short duration data transfer – conventional packet was not suitable • GPS input came later

6. History • APRS for DOS was the first program • MacAPRS & WinAPRS 1994 by Sproule brothers • UI-View—best support & popularity • Many other APRS apps since – runs on Windows 3.x, 9x, NT and XP, Mac, Linux, Palm, CE and DOS

7. Packet Radio • History • AX.25 protocol was approved by ARRL in 1984 • Came from X.25 protocol (the A is for Amateur) • Primary difference from X.25 is allowance for call signs and for unconnected packets

8. Packet Radio • In ‘packet’ radio, QSO’s are always between ‘connected’ stations, • Error correction & acknowledgement ensures receipt • Several qso’s can take place simultaneously on the same frequency • Packet qso’s may be digipeated by stations upon specific request

9. How is APRS different from Packet Radio? • Communication is ‘one to many’ • Uses generic digipeating with standard aliases (wide1-1,wide2-1) • Supports intelligent digipeating to reduce network flooding • Uses UI frames for messaging, bulletins and announcements • Provides maps and other features

10. How APRS uses Packets • Uses the same AX.25 protocol but only a part of it • Uses Unnumbered Information (UI) frames exclusively • Always runs in unconnected mode • Frames are transmitted without expecting any ACK • Reception is not guaranteed

11. Frequencies • VHF 1200 baud • Primary (Digis) 144.39 • Secondary (No Infrastructure) 144.34 • UHF 1200 baud • Primary (Digis) 446.175 • Secondary (No Infrastructure) 441.175 • HF 30M 300 baud • 10.15151 LSB • Satellite 1200 baud • ISS Downlink 145.800, uplink 145.990 • PCsat simplex 145.828

12. APRS Primary Uses • Weather Spotting • Balloon Chasing • Emergency Operations • Special Events • Every Day fun

13. Weather Spotting • What do you need 2B a good spotter? • Detailed Map • May be deployed to unfamiliar territory. • List of Spotting Locations • Latest WX info from the NWS • Need to see Watches & Warnings • Radar • Field Observations • Need to see temperature & wind all around • See other spotters • To confirm reports, u need exact location • Automated Objects • Create a vectored Tornado object with that others can see

14. Balloon Chasing • What do you need 2B a good Balloon Chaser? • Detailed Map • You WILL be in unfamiliar territory. • Visibility of balloon location & height • Auto display of your station & balloon • Needs to display in one place, so you can concentrate on keeping up with the balloon! • Field Observations • Need to see temperature & wind all around • See other chasers • Keep the convoy from getting lost

15. Emergency Operations • What do you need 2B a good Emergency Operator? • INCLUDING SAR • Detailed Map • May be deployed to unfamiliar territory. • Latest WX info from the NWS • Need to see Watches & Warnings • Radar • Field Observations • Need to see temperature & wind all around • See other spotters • Need to know where all field units are deployed • Objects • Indicate damage or roadblocks on a map for all to see • List of Shelter Locations • Short Messaging • Communicate more confidential info to EOC or field units • Email capability • Need to be able to send short messages to internet users

16. Special Events • What do you need 2B a good Event Specialist? • Detailed Map • May be deployed to unfamiliar territory • Aid Stations need to be on the map • Event Route needs to be shown • Hazards or Medical support locations need to be displayed • Latest WX info from the NWS • Need to see Watches & Warnings • Radar • Field Observations • Need to see temperature & wind all around • See other specialists • Need to know where all field units are deployed • Objects • Show first & Last Runner • Show event officials • Show Safety units • Show medical units & rovers

17. Every Day Fun • Passive Fun • Watch all the dots (don’t agitate them!) • Watch the ISS or PCsat fly by • Tracking • Find your buddies • Set alarms-movement or proximity • Track your family & friends • Make new friends spontaneously while driving

18. UI-View 32 Solution Detailed Map: Show world Map Zoom full in Show Search capability Address, County, State, Phone, Mile Marker, Call Show Overlays (Spotter Locations) Show Underlays (Aerial Photos) Show UI-Terra

19. UI-View 32 Solution Latest WX info & Observations: Show UI-NWS Show active colored counties Click for details Show finger wx_srv Show Field Wx Station observations

20. UI-View 32 Solution Messaging: Show sending a message direct Show sending a message via digi Show sending a message via internet Show sending an email message

21. UI-View 32 Solution Tracking & Zooming: Show Auto Track (Cross Hairs and Track zoom) Show UI-Height Track With Height based color Show movement alarm Show UI-History Show FindU Log Converter Show FCC server

22. UI-View 32 Solution Objects: Show moving object Show UI-Signpost Show inactive object Difference between objects & overlays Show Objects list

23. Hardware Getting on the Air with APRS – What to Buy/Scrounge • Home station requirements • 2 meter radio and antenna • Desktop computer • TNC or soundcard/interface • Mobile station requirements • 2 meter radio and antenna • Variables

24. Mobile/Portable Variables • Mobile-Track & View • GPS • Laptop • TNC • Mobile-Tracking Only • GPS • Tiny Track, or Tracking TNC • Portable-Tracking Only • GPS • Tracker interface device • Power source for portability

25. Hardware • Computers for UI-View • Pentium II, 128mb 3gb avail, minimum • Faster PC=Faster Map refresh • Consideration for a TNC with GPS • 2 serial ports are needed (Unless KPC3+) • If only 1 serial port is available, can use a “Port sharing” device • Any TNC will do with fixed location and a PC attached.

26. Hardware • Kantronics KPC-3+ • Supports single PC Serial Port Tracker • Supports UI Flood Protocol • Current Version is 9.0 • Simple Mobile Operation • Cost $189

27. Hardware • Kantronics KPC-3 • Good for Home use • Version 8.2 Supports UI Flood Protocol • Average cost used: $80

28. Hardware • KPC-2, KAM, MFJ, others • Good for Home use • Low cost • Check http://swap.qth.com/ for deals

29. Hardware Self Contained Tiny Trak III kit ($30) http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/index.html Pocket Tracker Kit: ($89) http://www.byonics.com/pockettracker/ A self-contained tracking/telemetry module ALSO Includes the RADIO!

30. Hardware Self Contained Kenwood TM-D700 ($489) Just add a GPS Kenwood TH-D7 ($339) Just add a GPS

31. GPS Hardware • GPS Receivers • Must have PC interface port • Must output NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association)messages on the PC port (default) • External antenna a plus • RS-232 or TTL

32. The APRS Network-Digis • Digipeaters only repeat if their call sign, their unique alias, or a generic alias is in the digi path • Two WIDE Types: • WIDE3-3 (called a ui-flood) • WIDE,WIDE,WIDE (OBSOLETE) • RELAY • NO LONGER USED! • Use Wide1-1 • Home stations set MYALIAS to wide1-1

33. Mobile Path • Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE2-1 or • APRS V WIDE1-1, WIDE2-1 • Non-Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE2-2 or • APRS V WIDE1-1, WIDE2-2 Home (Fixed) Path • Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE2-1 • Non-Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE2-2 or • APRS VIA K0XYZ, WIDE2-1

34. Another way to view APRS • FINDU • http://www.findu.com • jFINDU • http://www.jfindu.net • APRSWorld • http://www.aprsworld.net

35. Important Links • KC APRS Organization kcaprs.org • NEKSUN APRS k0ham.com • tapr.org • ui-view.org • nwaprs.org • web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs/fix14439.html • http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/aprs-imp.htm • http://www.byonics.com

36. Upcoming Activities • October 28—JCRAC Auction & Balloon Launch—Tracking by APRS • January 29, 2007—kcAPRS.org Winter Summit • NWS Training center--drive to kc0nws

37. Questions • ?? Invitation to join k0ham & kcaprs.orgThis presentation available at kcAPRS.org