[aprssig] Interesting Findings - 300 Baud AX.25 on VHF-FM APRS
Fred Hillhouse Jr
fmhillhouse at comcast.net
Mon Apr 4 15:19:49 EDT 2016
I have the Winbook 7 (2 actually) and I actually purchased it based on your
review. Someone pointed me to it shortly after you started the page.
I haven't yet decided to purchase the Kangaroo. My use would be mobile with
an HDMI-to-NTSC adapter. I don't have a back-up camera but the input is
there. I have a couple of little issues to solve first (such as guide lines
on the screen).
I could use the Winbook into the car stereo but the little connectors may be
an issue. My Wb7 USB power port has suffered a pin loss. Thankfully it is
the ground and the USB connector housing is a direct connection. I have also
had to open the case and disconnect the battery more than once to reset the
Wb7. Mostly it just works which is nice. I would like to not have it sleep
when the display is off. I haven't found a way to "fix" that.
Thanks for your review by the way!
Best regards,
Fred N7FMH
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen H. Smith [mailto:wa8lmf2 at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2016 2:40 PM
To: Fred Hillhouse Jr; TAPR APRS Mailing List
Subject: Re: [aprssig] Interesting Findings - 300 Baud AX.25 on VHF-FM APRS
On 4/4/2016 11:27 AM, Fred Hillhouse Jr wrote:
>
>
> What I could really use is a tiny single board computer ala Raspberry Pi
> that
> can run normal Intel x86 OSes and software.
>
> Not quite a single board PC but closer.
>
> Kangaroo Mobile Desktop Computer KJ2B#001-NA Intel Atom X5-Z8500 (1.44
GHz)
> 2 GB LPDDR3 32 GB eMMC Windows 10
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001
>
Interesting... I love small form-factor PCs and have played with them for
over a decade as APRS appliances like digipeaters, igates and APRS
webservers.
The Kangaroo device appears to be basically an Intel-Atom-powered Windows
tablet minus the screen. I have used devices similar to this -- see my
review
of the Microcenter TW-700 Winbook tablet here:
.
. <http://WA8LMF.net/WinbookTablet>
.
It is a very useful building block for ham applications like digipeaters,
igates, mapping APRS clients, etc since it will run standard Windows
software
in an ultra-compact form factor.
.
In fact, my 300 vs 1200 baud testing used a Winbook running the UZ7HO
Soundmodem at the receiving end, connected to a Yaesu FT-1500 transceiver.
._______________________________________________________
Comparing the Kangaroo to the Winbook tablet:
.
.
Kangaroo is $100 Winbook TW-700 lists at $80 on it's website, but is
often
available in Microcenter stores for $60-70 new on promotional blowouts, and
as
open box / returns for $50-60.
.
The Kangaroo has more RAM and flash memory "hard drive" than the Winbook.
. 2GB RAM vs 1GB 32GB flash vs 16 GB
Two FULL-SIZE USB ports (one USB 3.0) on provided docking adapter of
Kangaroo
vs one FULL-SIZE directly on body of Winbook. (Winbook has second, micro-USB
port, normally used for charging.)
Kangaroo dock also provides standard full-size HDMI port, while Winbook has
micro-HDMI directly on body.
The Kangaroo chassis runs directly off 12 VDC making it nice for mobile ham
applications. Winbook requires 5 VDC external power from wall-wart or
external 5VDC USB car charger.
According to specs, Kangaroo external 110/220VAC power supply provides 3A at
12
VDC, implying power consumption is probably around 25-30 watts. User reviews
are commenting on how hot it gets. I have measured Winbook power
consumption
via 12VDC-->5VDC USB car adapter at around 10 watts (less than 1 amp) from
12
VDC system. No detectable warming - it could be stuffed into closed spaces
like my ammo-can tracker without problems. The Winbook can run
autonomously
on it's internal battery for almost 6 hours.
And of course, the Winbook has a built-in "half-HD" 1388x720 display - handy
in
field settings where you don't want to bother with an external monitor.
The
Winbook can output a 1920x1080 full-HD image to an external HDMI display.
(I
now routinely use the Winbook plugged into my Acer full-HD projector for ham
club presentations and swap meet demos, instead of lugging a larger laptop.)
My conclusion is that for stationary applications, the greater number of
ports
on the Kangaroo combined with it dock would be a better choice. For
in-the-field applications, the Winbook, with all it's ports directly on the
body of the device, a built-in display, and lower power consumption would be
the winner.
______________________________________________________________________
Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Skype: WA8LMF
EchoLink: Node # 14400 [Think bottom of the 2-meter band]
Home Page: http://wa8lmf.net
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