kcAPRS.org

1
APRS in Northeast Kansas
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 President1989-1991
• Started the NE KS ARC with WVØS for KU, KSU
  Washburn Alumni interested in repeaters-Became
  NEKSUN
• Operations Director of NEKSUN (NEKSARC
  Sunflower Interlink) -Total of 14 19
  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 Sprint
• Maintenance director for Heartland Tower
• Private pilot wannabe

3
Why We Are Here

• What is APRS?
• What can I do with APRS today?
• How did APRS originate?
• How does APRS work?
• Where is APRS going?
• 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
APRS Primary Uses

• Weather Spotting
• Balloon Chasing
• Emergency Operations
• Special Events
• Every Day fun

6
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

7
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

8
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

9
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

10
Every Day Fun

• Passive Fun
• Watch the display of many stations
• 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

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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

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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

13
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

14
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

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UI-View 32 Solution

• Objects
• Show moving object
• Show UI-Signpost
• Show inactive object
• Difference between objects overlays
• Show Objects list

16
UI-View 32 Solution

• Special Tricks
• UI-Scheduler
• UI-Traffic
• Show UI-Aloha
• Show UI-PaintBox
• Show UI-Captioner
• Show UI-WebServer
• Show Deleting all stations

17
UI-View 32 Solution

• Keyboard Navigation Shortcuts
• Double Right clickRecenter
• Right Click HoldDrag Map
• Hold HOME Dbl Click on map Set Home position
• F1 Help
• F2 Select a Map
• F3 Find (monitor window)
• F4 Refresh Map
• F5 Object Editor
• F6 Toggle Message Window
• F7 AGWPE Ports info
• F8 Toggle GPS
• F9 Send Beacon
• F11 Query All Stations
• F12 GPS Crosshair Tracking Toggle
• CTRL- F1 Help Contents
• CTRL- F2 Function Key Help Window
• CTRL- F4 Exclusions Toggle
• CTRL- F5 Station symbols Toggle

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UI-View Feature Summary

• Zooming Panning
• Tracking YOU
• Tracking others
• Messaging digi, tcpip, email
• FCC Callsign Server
• Movement Alarm
• UI-Traffic
• UI-Aloha
• UI-Height Tracker
• UI-NWS
• UI-Paintbox
• UI-PHG
• UI-SignPost
• UI-Terra
• UI-Webserver
• History/Telemetry
• Playing logs/Converting from FINDu
• Favorite Views
• Terminal, Stations, Messages windows

19
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

20
History

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

21
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

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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 by specific
  stations

23
How is APRS different from Packet Radio?

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

24
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
  response
• Reception is not guaranteed

25
Types of Data

• There are ten main types of APRS Data
• Position
• Direction Finding
• Objects and Items
• Weather
• Telemetry
• Messages, Bulletins and Announcements
• Queries
• Responses
• Status
• Other

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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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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

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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

29
Hardware

• Computers
• Running with a TNC doesnt always require a fast
  computer or current O/S
• A slow machine means your maps will refresh more
  slowly
• As with all apps, more memory is better
• Consideration for GPS with TNC
• 2 serial ports are needed (Unless KPC3)
• If only 1 serial port is available, can use a
  Port sharing device

30
Hardware

• TNCs
• Any TNC will do when a PC is attached.
• Old style TNCs may not be easy to use with a GPS
  , but are fine for fixed stations

31
Hardware

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

32
Hardware

• Kantronics KPC-3
• Good for Home use
• Version 8.2 Supports UI Flood Protocol
• Average cost used 80

33
Hardware

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

34
Hardware
Self Contained
Pocket Tracker Kit (89) http//www.byonics.com/
pockettracker/

• Tiny Trak III kit (30)
• http//www.byonics.com/tinytrak/index.html

A self-contained tracking/telemetry module
ALSO Includes the RADIO!
35
Hardware
Self Contained

• Kenwood TM-D700 (489)
• Just add a GPS

Kenwood TH-D7 (339) Just add a GPS
36
Hardware

• GPS Receivers
• Must have PC interface port
• Must output NMEA messages on the PC port
• Good to have an external antenna
• RS-232 or TTL

37
Software
WinAPRS

• Cons
• Help function is bad
• Not totally stable
• Not everything works
• Maps arent so good
• Expensive to register
• No Updated Functionalities

• Pros
• Long History
• Free maps
• Can use high quality Precision Maps
• Unregistered version has full functionality

38
Software

• APRSSA

• Pros
• Comprehensive functionality
• High quality Street Atlas maps

• Cons
• No help (NONE!)
• Hard to manipulate maps
• BIG learning Curve
• Only works with Street Atlas
• Have to register to use AGWPE
• Expensive to register

39
Software
Xastir

• Pros
• Works on Linux
• Good map capability

• Cons
• Not a Windows Program
• Mapping is slow
• Linux Learning Curve for installs updates

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Software

• UI-View
• Pros
• FREE (Donation to Cancer society requested)
• Quality coding
• Extensive help files
• Any GIF or bitmap file can be a map
• Works with Street Atlas and others
• Detailed Street level Mapping with Precision Maps
• Lots of plugins for new functionality

41
Software

• Others
• MacAPRS
• Shares same code with WinAPRS
• APRS Point
• Expensive limited support

42
Software

• My recommendation
• UI-View with Precision Maps 7
• Getting started requires no hardware-just an
  internet connection

43
Another way to view APRS

• FINDU
• http//www.findu.com
• jFINDU
• http//www.jfindu.net
• APRSWorld
• http//www.aprsworld.net

44
Digipeaters

• Digipeaters respond to certain generic aliases
• Wide1-1, used by mobiles to get to a widen-n
• Wide, all high digipeaters (obsolete)
• WideN-N, wide digipeating limited to N hops, with
  no duplication

• RELAY
• NO LONGER ENCOURAGED!
• Use Wide1-1
• Home stations set MYALIAS to wide1-1

45
Digipeaters

• 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

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Finding your PATH

• Also known as the unproto path
• Up to 9 addresses
• Specific or generic aliases
• Specified in software or in the UNPROTO command
  APRS V WIDE2-2
• Represents the route you want your packet to
  follow

47
Digipeater Addresses

• Rules of thumb
• For network health, use WIDE2-2
• Example
• APRS V WIDE2-2
• Anything MORE than 2 should be avoided!

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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

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Upcoming Activities

• March 13Balloon Launch
• www.habitatskylab.org
• April 16Hambash
• www.hambash.com
• May 24kcAPRS.org meeting
• NWS Training center--drive to kc0nws
• June 25 26 Field Day at Perry Lake
• Spring SummerDigi Igate installations
• join remailer at k0ham.com for latest info

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UI-View Installation

• Copy 7CD1 to hard drive
• Copy the states files on CD2 to the states folder
  of 7CD1 on your hard drive
• In 7CD1 Double click setup (This installs
  Precision Maps 7) Run program register
• Double click Install 32full203
• Double Click Install Pmap7.zip (This installs
  Pmap Server)
• Run UI-view enter registration information
  (including APRS server logon)
• Turn on alternative mouse actions,, turn on show
  range scale, turn on auto log, turn off announce
  stations first time, MISC- turn off splash screen
  , turn on more detail
• Setup Comms, 19200, 8N1 edit ini file add blt
  000000 on startup blt 000500 on exit.
• Setup Station APRS,WIDE2-2, add beacon comment,
  fixed 30, mobile 5, 1 mile symbols
• GPS Setup, Shared port setup, cross hairs, clock
  set (-6)
• Copy all the .pos files to uiv-view\overlays
• Copy marine zones, counties forecast zones to
  ui-view\nws\shapefiles
• Install, height tracker, ui-traffic, nwsget
• Install fcc callbook server--Copy en.dat and
  amateur.dat to uiv-view/fccsrv folder
• Load Map-Precision Mapping 7
• Run UI-NWS, under shapes setup ensure use map
  server special features is NOT checked
• Delete CD1 CD2
• How to delete stations (CTRL-DELETE in stations
  window)

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UI-View Feature Walkthrough

• Zooming
• Tracking YOU
• Tracking others
• Messaging digi, tcpip, email
• FCC Callsign Server
• Movement Alarm
• UI-Traffic
• UI-Aloha
• UI-Height Tracker
• UI-NWS
• History/Telemetry
• Playing logs
• Favorite Views
• Terminal, Stations, Messages windows
• ButtonsPgUp, PgDwn, Ctrl-A, Fkeys
• Loading Overlays right click and set the color to
  something other than gray
• NWS Get

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Questions

• ??

UI View/PMAP 7 Install WalkthroughInvitation to
join k0ham kcaprs.orgThis presentation
available at kcAPRS.org