Demonstration

1
Demonstration

• WinAPRS Running with TNC

2
Welcome

• FWARC APRS Clinic

3
Why We Are Here

• APRS is a powerful tool for emergency management
• Readiness requires skilled cadre of Hams
• Federal Way is not an APRS hotspot

4
Our Sponsor

• Weyerhaeuser Foundation
• Making WAVEs
• Weyerhaeuser Active Volunteer Employees
• Grant to FWARC for this activity

5
CD

• WinAPRS, UI View and APRSSA programs
• AGWPE program
• WinAPRS map files
• Setup information
• APRS Spec
• Satellite tracker programs

6
Other Sources of Information

• Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR)
  http//www.tapr.org
• NWAPRS http//www.nwaprs.org
• http//aprs.rutgers.edu
• Use Google to search
• Books check whats available from ARRL

7
What is APRS

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

8
APRS Features

• Maps
• Messaging
• Objects
• Bulletins and announcements
• Weather station reporting
• DX Cluster reporting
• Internet access
• Telemetry

9
History

• Invented by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR in 1992
• Devised to facilitate short haul, short duration
  data transfer conventional packet was not
  suitable

10
History

• APRS for DOS was the first program
• MacAPRS 1994 by Sproule brothers
• WinAPRS is recompiled from MacAPRS
• Many other APRS apps since runs on Windows 3.x,
  9x, NT and XP, Mac, Linux, Palm, CE and DOS
• GPS adjunct came afterwards

11
Uses

• Passive Fun
• Watch the display of many stations
• Watch the ISS or PCsat fly by
• Watch emergencies in action
• Tracking
• Find your buddies
• Track your teenager
• Balloons and rockets

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Uses

• Telemetry
• Balloons and rockets
• Post bulletins, event notices and venues
• Send email

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More Uses

• Events
• Track the parade Grand Marshal
• Track the last marathoner or bike racer
• Emergencies
• Search and rescue
• Disaster information
• EOC messaging
• Track the fire chief

14
Still More Uses

• Weather monitoring
• See wind speeds and temperatures in the area
• Report wind damage
• Track tornados

15
Theory

• Assumptions
• Packet radio
• Digipeaters
• APRS Protocol
• Frequencies
• GPS

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Assumptions

• Radios
• Antennas
• PC Skills

17
How does APRS Work?

• Some details

18
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

19
Packet Radio

• Packets
• Strings of data bytes called frames
• 3 kinds of frames in ordinary packet
• Information (I frame)
• Supervisory (S frame)
• Unnumbered (U frame)
• 6 kinds of U frames, one is Unnumbered
  Information frame
• UI frames are used for transmitting data in an
  unconnected mode

20
Packet Radio

• In packet radio, qsos are always between
  connected stations
• Several qsos can take place simultaneously on
  the same frequency
• Packet qsos may be digipeated but by specific
  stations

21
How is APRS different from Packet Radio?

• Communication is one to many
• Uses generic digipeating with well-known aliases
• Supports intelligent digipeating to reduce
  network flooding
• Uses UI frames for messaging, bulletins and
  announcements
• Provides maps and other features

22
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 connectionless mode

23
How APRS uses Packets

• Frames are transmitted without expecting any
  response
• Reception is not guaranteed
• Messages work same way but use an ack technique

24
The UI Packet
25
Destination Address

• From the APRS spec

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Destination Address

• The adr SPCL is to be used for special events.
  APRS s/w should provide for only showing stations
  with this adr (but it doesnt).
• Usually just shows the software version. WinAPRS
  v2.6.1 sets this to APW261

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Destination Address

• May also contain
• MIC-E encoded data
• Other unique encoded data
• No reason to change this since s/w cant cope

28
Source Address

• My station call sign

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An Intervening Word about Digipeaters

• Why do we need them?
• Increase coverage
• Digipeater versus repeater
• Voice repeaters operate in duplex mode
• Digipeaters operate in simplex mode
• Digipeaters use store and forward technique

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Digipeaters

• Wide area digipeaters
• In this area are usually on a mountaintop
• Have good antennas and more power
• Operate automatically
• Operate all the time

31
Digipeaters

• Relay digipeater
• Usually somebodys home station
• Should be able to communicate with a WIDE station
• Purpose is to help low powered stations get to
  the WIDE

32
Digipeaters

• Wide area digipeaters may be known by an alias
• Examples SOMTN, KOPEAK, SEATAC
• or not
• Examples N7OEP-10, K7NWS-10

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Digipeaters

• Digipeaters respond to certain generic aliases
• Relay, used by any station to relay mobiles to a
  wide
• Echo, HF only, same function as Relay
• Wide, all high digipeaters
• Trace, use call sign substitution to indicate
  path the packet took
• WideN-N, wide digipeating limited to N hops
• Gate, HF to VHF connection

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Digipeaters

• Digipeaters only repeat if their call sign, their
  unique alias, or a generic alias is in the digi
  path

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Back to the UI Packet -- Digipeater Addresses

• Also known as the unproto path
• Up to 9 addresses
• Specific or generic aliases
• Specified in s/w configuration
• Represents the route you want your packet to
  follow

36
Digipeater Addresses

• Rules of thumb (see WinAPRS help file)
• Dont use RELAY unless you are a mobile
• If you can hit a wide, then include it as the
  first digi in the string
• If you want wide coverage then use WIDE2-2 or
  WIDE3-3 after a specific WIDE
• Example SOMTN,WIDE2-2

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Digipeater Addresses

• You can be really specific about the path
• Example SOMTN,KOPEAK,MEGLER would route you down
  to Seaside, OR area and nowhere else

38
Data Field
39
Data Type ID
40
Types of Data

• There are ten main types of APRS Data
• Position
• Direction Finding
• Objects and Items
• Weather
• Telemetry

41
Types of Data

• Messages, Bulletins and Announcements
• Queries
• Responses
• Status
• Other

42
Data Example

• Position data

43
Data Extension Example

• PHG extension refers to power, height and gain
  (also directivity)
• Height is above average local terrain
• Form is PHGphgd

44
Frequencies

• VHF 144.39
• 1200 baud
• HF 10.15151 LSB
• 300 baud
• Satellite
• ISS Downlink 145.800, uplink 145.990
• PCsat simplex 145.828
• 1200 baud

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Getting on the Air with APRS What to
Buy/Scrounge

• Details

46
Hardware

• Home station requirements
• 2 meter radio and antenna
• Desktop computer
• TNC or soundcard/interface
• Mobile station requirements
• 2 meter radio and antenna
• Variables

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Hardware

• Mobile variables the Full Meal Deal
• GPS
• Laptop
• TNC or soundcard/interface or Baycom modem

48
Hardware

• Mobile variables minimal functionality
• No GPS
• Laptop
• TNC or soundcard/interface

49
Hardware

• Mobile variables tracking
• GPS
• No computer
• Tracker interface device
• Power source for portability

50
Hardware

• What is a sound card interface?
• Connects the computers sound card i/o to the
  radio mike and speaker terminals
• Provides isolation and attenuation
• May provide a VOX capability

51
Hardware

• West Mountain Radio Rigblaster
• See http//www.westmountainradio.com/

52
Hardware

• Tigertronics SignalLink (50)
• See http//www.tigertronics.com

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Hardware

• Homebrew your own
• See http//www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.html
• The simplest interface

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Hardware

• An isolated interface

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Hardware

• PTT circuits

56
Hardware

• Opto-isolated PTT circuits
• Opto device is TI111 or equivalent

57
Hardware

• What is a tracker interface device?
• A mike encoder
• TAPR Mic-E (kit discontinued)
• Tigertronics TigerTrak TM-1 (90)
• Also functions as a full function tracking and
  telemetry module

58
Hardware

• A self-contained tracking/telemetry module
• Tigertronics TigerTrak TM-1
• Tiny Trak II kit (30)
• See http//www.byonics.com/tinytrak/tinytrak.html

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Hardware

• TAPR PIC-E

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Hardware

• Another approach
• Tigertronics BayPac modem (50)
• Accompanying software creates the packets in the
  computer
• Replaces the modem found in a TNC
• No sound card required

61
Hardware

• Computers
• Running with a TNC doesnt require a fast
  computer or recent O/S
• A slow machine means your maps will refresh very
  slo-o-o-oly
• Running AGWPE requires a little horsepower, maybe
  100 MHz, Win98, 32 MB
• As with all apps, more memory is better

62
Hardware

• TNCs
• Any TNC will do when a computer is attached.
• Old style TNCs may not be GPS aware, but they
  work for base stations

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Hardware

• Cables
• Sources
• MFJ http//www.mfjenterprises.com

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Hardware

• TNC cables
• Computer serial port to TNC
• Unique to your TNC
• TNC to radio mike connector
• Unique to your TNC and radio

65
Hardware

• Sound card interface cables
• Computer sound card to interface box
• May need Y connector to retain external speaker
  function
• Interface box to radio mike connector
• Unique to your radio
• Buy a unique cable or have a way to configure the
  connectivity
• Sources for cables, MFJ or Buxcom
• May need a cable from speaker out to interface
  box if no speaker audio in mike connector

66
Hardware

• BayPac cable
• BayPac plugs right onto the serial port connector
  on computer
• BayPac to radio mike connector
• Unique to your radio
• Buy the right cable from Tigertronics

67
Hardware

• Consideration for GPS with TNC
• 2 serial ports are needed
• If only 1 serial port is available, can use a
  Port sharing device

68
Hardware

• GPS Receivers
• Must have PC interface port
• Must output NMEA messages on the PC port
• Good to have an external antenna for the GPS

69
Software

• WinAPRS
• Pros
• Everybody knows about it
• Free maps
• Can use high quality Precision Maps
• Unregistered version has full functionality

70
Software

• Cons
• Help function is bad
• Not totally stable
• Not everything works
• Maps arent so good
• Expensive to register
• Somewhat limited in scope

71
Software

• APRSSA
• Pros
• Comprehensive functionality
• High quality Street Atlas maps

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Software

• Cons
• No (I said no) help
• Hard to manipulate maps
• Confusing
• Only works with Street Atlas
• Have to register to use AGWPE
• Expensive to register

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Software

• UIView
• Pros
• 16 bit version is free, 32 bit version is
  inexpensive
• Quality coding
• Extensive help files
• Any GIF or bitmap file can be a map
• Works with Street Atlas and others

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Software

• Cons
• Map zooming is a problem
• Somewhat limited in scope

75
Software

• Xastir
• Pros
• Works on Linux
• Good map capability
• Cons
• Not a Windows program

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Software

• MacAPRS
• Shares same code with WinAPRS

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Software

• APRSPoint
• Pros
• High quality MS MapPoint maps
• Cons
• Program is expensive and maps are more expensive

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Software

• My recommendation
• Use WinAPRS until you get your feet wet.
• Spend 20 bucks on Street Atlas and switch to UI
  View

79
Satellites

• ISS
• Excellent signal
• PCsat
• Built by Bruningas students at Annapolis
• Find the satellites position
• http//liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/realtime/JTrack/Space
  craft.html
• PCSAT Telemetry Decoder program on CD

80
Another way to view APRS

• Internet
• FINDU http//map.findu.com/callsign (substitute
  your call for callsign)

81
Lunch Break

• Brainstorm the Exercise

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Demo of Other APRS S/W

• APRSSA
• UI View

83
WinAPRS Installation

• Find the file w261updt.zip in the WinAPRS folder
  on the CD
• Unzip the contents to a folder of your choice
• In the folder in which you placed the WinAPRS
  files, create a maps subfolder
• Copy all of the files from the maps folder on the
  CD to the maps folder on the PC

84
WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Set the station parameters first
• Find your coordinates at http//www.wm7d.net/fcc_u
  ls/

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Set the WinAPRS parameters

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Set the TNC serial port speed and confirm
  communication

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Configure the TNC settings

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Set the TNC radio port speed to 1200 for VHF, 300
  for HF

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Set the position report rates

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Setting alternate path

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WinAPRS/TNC Configuration

• Create file ALTPATHS.TXT in WinAPRS folder
• Edit this file to include your preferred
  alternate paths
• K7NWS-10,WIDE2-2
• SOMTN,WIDE2-2
• SOMTN,KOPEAK

92
Running WinAPRS

• Enter station information
• Until you register you must reenter all of your
  station information
• Callsign
• State, county, city
• Position
• Station icon
• UTC offset
• Comments for position and status messag

93
Running WinAPRS

• You must reconfigure the TNC or soundcard
  settings as well

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Running WinAPRS

• Maps
• The program defaults to the USA map when started,
  pick SeaTac Area Detail or Northwest from the
  Maps menu to show a large scale view of our area
• Use zoom buttons from the toolbar on the right to
  zoom in and out
• Or hold down right mouse button and drag an area
  to be enlarged

95
Running WinAPRS

• Click the Home button to zoom all the way out
• Click anywhere in the map to center it at that
  point
• Page Up and Dn keys also zoom out and in
  respectively
• Use arrow keys to scroll
• Deselect menu item DisplayMap Labels to get rid
  of annoying labels

96
Running WinAPRS

• Queries
• Two types, general or directed

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Running WinAPRS

• Sending Messages
• Easiest way is to select a station by
  double-clicking one on the map
• In the resulting window, click the message button
  (has envelope icon)
• In the New Message Dialog window, type the
  message and press OK

98
Running WinAPRS
99
Running WinAPRS

• Click the ListsMessage List menu item
• In the Message List window monitor the progress
  of your message
• If you want to kill the message select it then
  press Backspace

100
Running WinAPRS
101
Running WinAPRS

• Creating an Object
• Click on the map where you want the object
  created
• Select menu item EditEdit/Add Station/Object

102
Running WinAPRS
103
Running WinAPRS

• In the Edit/Add Station window type a name for
  the object in the Call or Name field
• The lat/lon fields should show the value where
  you clicked

104
Running WinAPRS

• Select an icon in the Station Type box
• Click the Active radio button to transmit the
  object
• To move the object, click on object and while
  pressing Alt, drag to new location
• To delete the object, delete from station list
  window

105
Running WinAPRS

• Sending Email
• In the New Message Dialog window, enter EMAIL
  in the To box.
• Enter the email address in the Msg box followed
  by a space and then the message.

106
Running WinAPRS

• Lists
• Station list
• Use it to determine who your digipeaters are

107
Running WinAPRS

• Path list
• Use it to see who you can hear directly

108
AGWPE Installation

• Find the file agwpe.zip in the AGWPE folder on
  the CD
• Unzip the contents to a folder of your choice

109
AGWPE Configuration

• Double click the file agwpe.exe on the PC
• Right click the agwpe icon in the systray (near
  the clock)
• Select properties from the popup menu

110
AGWPE Configuration
111
AGWPE Configuration

• In the RadioPort Selection window select New
  Port
• In the Properties for Port window, set TNC Type
  to Soundcard

112
AGWPE Configuration

• In the SoundCard Modem/TNC Setup window, make no
  changes
• In the Properties for Port window, select
  SinglePort
• Exit program and restart
• Sound card settings
• Set sliders to about 2/3 of max
• Set recording slider as well

113
WinAPRS/AGWPE Configuration

• Start AGWPE first, then start WinAPRS
• Set Station settings as for TNC configuration
• Select Ports list from Settings menu
• In Port Definitions window, select AGWPE on
  Local and click Open
• Check that Comment field shows the installed
  version of AGWPE, then close the window

114
Questions

• ??

115
Student Installs