[aprssig] VX8GR

[Jason Rausch]

Tom,

I picked up a GR at Dayton.  The reason I bought one is I discovered that the GR has a bit more interface to external devices, than the original VX8.  There is a data jack that is a 2.5mm (3/32") stereo jack.  This jack is meant for programming as mentioned already, but it can also interface to an external GPS for external GPS NMEA feed, as well as NMEA $GPWPL output strings to map on the GPS.

Having said, I used the $GPWPL output to my advantage and wrote a simple logging program to grab the strings off of the GR.

http://www.ke4nyv.com/software.htm

Luckily, since the connector pinout is the same as the Kenwood D7 GPS/Data ports, all of the serial cables and Garmin GPS cables that we produce are compatable with the GR.

http://www.rpc-electronics.com/kenwood.php

Jason Rausch - KE4NYV
RPC Electronics, LLC
www.rpc-electronics.com


--- On Mon, 7/26/10, Tom Kinahan <tom.kinahan at verizon.net> wrote:

> From: Tom Kinahan <tom.kinahan at verizon.net>
> Subject: [aprssig] VX8GR
> To: aprssig at tapr.org
> Date: Monday, July 26, 2010, 9:00 PM
>  I was lucky enough to get out over
> the weekend and pick up a Yaesu VX8GR, which is not only
> dual band, but includes a built in GPS for APRS use. This is
> not the quad band unit with optional GPS (VX8DR).
> 
>  I'd like to compare notes with anyone else that has one.
> 
>  It seems to work well, in dual band mode, and  in
> tracker mode with the other VFO doing normal voice at the
> same time.
> 
>  Some questions:
> 
> 1) The GPS seems to take about 15-20 minutes to lock in
> clear sky.  Does anyone else see this, or have any
> suggestions to speed it up?
> 2) Has anyone bought the serial cable (or made one, I think
> it's straight RS232) to access the device? Is there a way to
> access the TNC only for other modes like Winlink (doing
> KISS)?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
>  -Tom Kinahan N1CPE
> 
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