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On 8/28/2011 3:04 PM, <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:k2sar@aol.com">k2sar@aol.com</a> wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:8CE33CC71E9B5BD-1158-370C8@webmail-d138.sysops.aol.com"
type="cite"><font color="blue" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="5">
<div>Hi all, I am looking for options on which is the best GPS
to purchase for use with the D-710.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>1) I would like it to be able to show back road U.S.
Forest, logging roads, ect.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>2) Be portable to use in other vehicles (renter cars, ect)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>3) easy to hook up to the D-710 preferring plug n play.</div>
</font></blockquote>
<br>
<br>
If you are referring to a full-display car-navigator GPS that will
will also map received APRS posits from the D710, then pretty much
your ONLY currently-available choice will be the GeoSat AVmap unit
which explicitly supports APRS when used with the Kenwoods or the
Argent Data Tracker2. I doubt if any USFS back roads show on the
AVmap. Unless you get lucky and come across the
long-discontinued Garmin 350 which will work with the Kenwoods via
Argent's magic "G-Trans" converter cable. (Note that the AVmap
gives you a 5.5" screen while the Garmin 350 is a small conventional
3:4 aspect 3.5" screen.)<br>
<br>
<hr size="2" width="100%"><br>
An alternative would be a cheap lightweight "netbook" PC. Netbooks
have been overshadowed by tablets like the iPad, and are now passe
in the consumer market. Netbooks are available for around $200 at
NewEgg or TigerDirect -- sometimes cheaper on special promotional
blowouts. Note that netbooks are actual lightweight X86 Windows
PCs, not iOS, Android or Windows Mobile devices. They run normal
Windows software including APRS programs like UIview, APRSpoint,
APRSi32, etc. <br>
<br>
A netbook running UIview/Precision Mapping or APRSpoint/MapPoint
combined with a cheap USB-interfaced faceless hockeypuck GPS. makes
an excellent companion for a Kenwood APRS radio. Precision Mapping
can run simultaneously OUTSIDE UIview, even as it is being used for
maps INSIDE UIview. This allows you to have APRS
operations/display in one window and point-to-point car navigation
in a second window at the same time. Precision Mapping shows an
astonishing amount (for a consumer app) of dirt road details. Or,
you could do as I do and run UIview, Precision Mapping and TopoUSA
simultaneously on the netbook with the freeware XPort serial port
splitter sharing the GPS data with all three apps at once. <br>
<br>
As I type this, an Acer ZG5 netbook with 2GB ram, a 200 MB HDD, WiFi
and a 1.6GHx "Atom" CPU is connected via a USB<-->serial
dongle to my TH-D7 handheld's computer port. It is operating as my
"porta-mini" igate/digipeater running UIview with a WiFi link to the
Internet, until I can get my main "hamserver" PC igate installation
unpacked and running. This netbook is fitted with an oversize
battery pack which will run the thing for 9-10 hours without an
external power source -- ideal for a temporary instant digi/igate
for special events. Or as an instant car navigator with just the
GPS attached, and no power hookup required. <br>
<br>
<hr size="2" width="100%"><br>
--<br>
<br>
Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com <br>
=== Now relocated from Pasadena, CA back to 8-land (East Lansing,
MI) ===<br>
Skype: WA8LMF<br>
Home Page: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net">http://wa8lmf.net</a><br>
<br>
===== Vista & Win7 Install Issues for UI-View and Precision
Mapping =====<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/UIview_Notes.htm#VistaWin7">http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/UIview_Notes.htm#VistaWin7</a><br>
<br>
*** HF APRS over PSK63 ***<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net/APRS_PSK63/index.htm">http://wa8lmf.net/APRS_PSK63/index.htm</a><br>
<br>
"APRS 101" Explanation of APRS Path Selection & Digipeating <br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths">http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths</a> <br>
<br>
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