kcAPRS.org

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APRS in Kansas City
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
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About Shorty

• First licensed at age 18 in 1987
• Father KØCEY, Step-Mom KBØBAW,
• Brother KCØQIN, Cousin WDØFHK,
• Nephews KCØQIO KCØKTP, KCØVVU, KCØZVT, Niece
  KCØZNO
• 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) -23 repeaters 22
  digipeaters across the midwest
• President FC for the Kansas Amateur Repeater
  Council
• Coordinator for kcAPRS.org
• Johnson County ARES Emergency Coordinator
• Project Management Consultant for Compuware

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Why We Are Here

• What is APRS?
• Why would I use it?
• How does UI-View Work?
• How can I get involved?

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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)

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APRS Primary Uses

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

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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

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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

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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

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Special Events

• What do you need 2B a good Event communicator?
• 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

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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

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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

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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

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APRS 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

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Latest Toys

• Kantronics MT-1200
• Two Way APRS GPS in one box
• Cost 279

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Older Hardware

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

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Older Hardware

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

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Really older Hardware

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

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Mini Hardware
Just add a GPS radio

• Tiny Trak III kit (33)
• www.byonics.com

One-Way tracking/telemetry module
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Mini Hardware
Self Contained
Just add a GPS

• Micro Track Kit (95)
• www.byonics.com

A self-contained one way tracking/telemetry
module
300 mw Transmitter
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Hardware
Self Contained

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

Kenwood TH-D7 (339) Just add a GPS
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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

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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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Another way to view APRS

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

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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

• June 3Lonestar Run
• APRS centric public service opportunity
• May 29Spring Summit
• kcaprs.org Just west of Marriott in OP, 7pm

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Questions

• ??

Invitation to join k0ham kcaprs.orgThis
presentation available at kcAPRS.org
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Custom Installations

• My table near the stage
• You need a laptop with 2gb avail
• At least Pentium 3 with XP or Win2k
• Donation to K0HAM requested