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What exactly is APRS?
In a nutshell, APRS is a graphical means of disseminating real-time
position information in a "broadcast" format using standard Unnumbered
Information (UI) packet frames in an "unconnected"
mode. By sending latitude and longitude or grid-square
location information, stations are placed on a high-detail map. In
addition to actual location, course, speed and altitude can also be included
and the object may be tracked by "dead-reckoning" by the program until
an updated position is received.
What is APRS used for?
APRS can be used for several purposes: Among them are Weather reporting,
tracking mobile stations, and Radio Direction Finding. Traditional WICEN
activities such as fun runs can be enhanced dramatically with APRS.
GPS Tracker Units can be placed on critical resources (Ambulance, buses,
Police cars, water truck) and displayed on monitors in various locations
for emergency personnel. APRS was used throughout the 1996 Summer
Olympics to track TV broadcast camera equipped helicopters and motorcycles.
What area is covered?
APRS does not need any repeaters or fixed stations to operate. They help
but are not essential. This allows APRS to work anywhere at anytime. A
series of repeaters is being planned for the 200Km around Sydney for APRS.
Live Atlanta APRS activity may also be seen on the Internet by
accessing the following address: http://www.wa4dsy.radio.org/aprs/index.html
Do I need any special equipment to use APRS?
NO! The only equipment necessary is standard packet radio equipment
(a computer with CGA graphics, a TNC a radio and an antenna!). To transmit
APRS information all that is needed is a packet station and optionally
a GPS reciever.
Somebody said that I had to have a GPS unit to use this software!
Is that true?
NO! While a GPS unit MAY be used, the detail of the maps visible
on your monitor is such that any can place himself, or any other object,
on the network by merely selecting a spot on the map and using the INPUT
MY POSITION command.
Do I need a hard-drive?
NO. A working, MINIMAL, system can be configured that can be run off of
a single 720K diskette.
What can I expect to see on APRS?
Once you have logged on to the network, your software will request other
APRS stations active at that time to beacon their position sometime in
the next two minutes. Objects should begin appearing on your screen fairly
quickly. You will see stations with various symbols displayed.
Most home stations will appear as a small house, digipeaters will show
up as a star (green indicates a WIDE-area digipeater), weather stations
will appear as blue dots with white wind barbs.
Can I communicate with others on the frequency?
APRS offers both one-line, automatically acknowledged, messages and a direct
station-to-station connect using a built-in terminal emulator. However
BBS operations and file downloads are actively discouraged on the main
APRS frequency..
How does GPS come into play with APRS?
Any GPS receiver capable of outputting its data in standard NMEA-0183 format
can be connected into your APRS system directly and the position information
indicated by the GPS to the computer will automatically place you on your
map. A second method of GPS tracking is also being used: direct
interface of a GPS unit to the serial port of your TNC. This creates
what is known as a "stand-alone" tracker and enables the user to be tracked
without need for a computer or operator intervention!
A further method is using a MIC-E encoder that fits betwen most GPS
units and the microphone unit on your radio. Not TNC is required.
What kind of software support is available?
Software is available for Windows (95/NT or 3.1), Apple Macintosh, Java,
Unix and MS-DOS.
The author, Bob Bruninga (WB4APR), is constantly working to improve
the APRS software. Upgrades are released often and once you register
your software you merely re-enter your validation number as necessary to
save a new configuration. Program upgrade files are available on
many amateur radio bulletin boards or through the Internet.
Where is the APRS info found on the Internet?
TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) sponsors a Special Interest mailing
list called APRSSIG. It works through Email and is free. To
sign up, visit TAPR’s Web page at http://www.tapr.org. There will
be a section allowing you to sign up. Once on the SIG, please monitor
the traffic for a few days before posting anything. The folks on
the SIG welcome newcomers but would rather you try to solve your problem
locally before alerting the whole World.
How do I get on APRS RIGHT NOW??
How much does it cost?
APRS is shareware. You may use the program without charge, however
to realize the full capabilities of the system you should register your
software. The registration fee of $29.00 gets you a validation number which
will allow you to save a your configuration and eliminates the logon procedure
as well as allowing you to plot 6 pages of stations instead of only two.
To add a Weather Station, GPS, or Direction Finding system, the additional
registration fees are $9.00 each when registered at the same time as APRS.
To receive the latest version on a 3.5" diskette, the cost is $9.00.
Where can I get help?
Here at the Hamfest, the local APRSers are offering to handle
getting you registered. We get to keep a portion to use for network
enhancements.
APRS on 3.5" disk WITH LOCAL MAPS TOO
$9.00
APRS Registration
$29.00
Options(GPS, WX, DF, Addl or new Callsign)
$ 9.00 each
You must pay HERE at the booth.
You’ll be notified of your registration codes soon.
Welcome to APRS!!! Load it, try it. You'll like it!!!
For your copy, ask at the hamfest display or at the end of the presentation!!!
Please direct inquiries, comments or questions regarding WIDE-area digipeaters,
nodes and so forth to:
Thanks to James Duncan KU0G of Kansas City for the original brochure.
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Copyright © 1994-2006
Radioactive Networks ,
darryl@radio-active.net.au
This page was last updated 2005-09-01 20:13:21
This page was last compiled 2006-02-21 14:50:38
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