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APRS is a position reporting and locating system
designed by Bob, WB4APR for use in highly distributed radio networks, where
normal radio comuncation is not effective. APRS is the KILLER APP for Packet
Radio.
| Locating, displaying and querying positions of mobile stations |
Intelligent fox hunting with computerised DF equipment |
Tracking storms |
Use differential GPS to obtain high accuracy position information |
APRS
MIC-E
The Mic-Encoder, or MIC-E, is a device similar to a TNC. It take information
from a GPS and transmits it as a packet radio burst. But what the MIC-E
does in addition is compress the packet so that it is only about 300 MSec
long. It can then be transmitted at the end of a voice transmission automatically
without annoying other users. It is only 1/2 a TNC so can be built very
cheaply.
Is your packet radio TNC GATHERING DUST? Then dust it off and
try APRS!
Automatic Position Reporting System
Tracking and Data Relay
for Public Service
Welcome to APRS. We hope that you will find this brochure helpful
in learning about APRS! Other local users are always available
to assist you by answering questions, helping set up equipment and help
you find the best applications for your needs!
APRS is a Shareware program authored by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.
No charge is made for use of the software, however a one-time registration
fee gets you a validation number, giving you the ability to store an automatic
start-up configuration so you don’t have to sign-on each time you start
the software. In addition, a validated copy will be able to hold
six pages of position reports and beacons versus two pages for unregistered
copies.
The information contained in this brochure will give you, the potential
user, an overview of the capabilities of APRS and will, hopefully, encourage
you to join us in the SouthEastern APRS network!
APRS in Atlanta
Local Frequency
145.79 MHz
HF Gateway Frequencies
10.151 MHz (LSB)
DGPS service coming soon on the Atlanta Digipeater!
(will give your GPS 30 ft accuracy)
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?
There are several automatic weather stations operating and you can set
one up yourself for less than $200.00! You can almost always see
vehicle mounted stations on the move in our area too.
Every April, we use APRS to support the March Of Dimes WalkAmerica.
GPS Tracker Units are placed on critical resources (Ambulance, buses, Police
cars, water truck) and displayed on monitors in various locations for emergency
personnel. We’d love to support more events, too!
APRS was used throughout the 1996 Summer Olympics to track TV broadcast
camera equipped helicopters and motorcycles. (see N4NEQ for
more details)
What area is covered?
Our Regional APRS network covers most of N GA above Warner Robins on
I-75, Into South Carolina on I-85, beyond Birmingham on I-20, and up to
Nashville and Knoxville in Tennessee. The HF gateway on 30 meters
allows us to see stations as far away as Haiti and California. 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!).
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. If you plan to use a GPS unit mobile with a
laptop and TNC, you’ll need an optional GPS registration number.
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..
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!
No GPS registration number is required for this sort of use.
What kind of software support is available?
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??
It's simple! Just pick up a disk here at the hamfest or download
the software from a landline BBS or the Internet. Load it into your
computer, print off the README files, read and follow them and you should
be able to be up and running in short order!!!
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.
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.
____
Welcome to our Techical Site. If you are interested in an overview, then visit our
Marketing Site
Copyright © 1994-2006
Radioactive Networks ,
darryl@radio-active.net.au
This page was last updated 2005-09-01 20:11:39
This page was last compiled 2006-02-21 14:50:45
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