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On Sundays the Off Road Ham Net have been having a continuing
discussion about APRS for the last several weeks now. Many members
either were using APRS already, or got on as a result of the
discussions. Some use only the RF side of APRS, some only the cell
phone side and a growing number are doing both. All gained useful
info, even the long time users.<br>
<br>
Of course there was frequent discussion of programs, equipment,
configuration, beacon timing, voice alert, etc etc<br>
<br>
A couple of topics that have come up several times are about SSID
usage and Symbols to represent the type of station. Recommended
usage for these topics is at:<br>
<br>
SSID's (Secondary Station Identifiers) <br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.aprs.org/aprs11/SSIDs.txt">http://www.aprs.org/aprs11/SSIDs.txt</a><br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://info.aprs.net/index.php?title=SymbolsAndSSIDs">http://info.aprs.net/index.php?title=SymbolsAndSSIDs</a><br>
<br>
and<br>
<br>
APRS Display Symbols<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://aprs.net/vm/DOS/SYMBOLS.HTM">http://aprs.net/vm/DOS/SYMBOLS.HTM</a><br>
<br>
Many of the newcomers were surprised to learn that APRS location
features is Not the primary purpose of use, but it is about
COMMUNICATIONS.<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.aprs.org/localinfo.html">http://www.aprs.org/localinfo.html</a><br>
" <b>APRS is a <i> two-way local Information Distribution and
Communication System </i> <br>
(not just a vehicle tracking system). <a
href="http://www.aprs.org/APRS-tactical.html"><b>See APRS
misconceptions!</b></a> <br>
The objective is Human-to-human local real-time info and
communications!</b> ."<br>
<br>
<b>APRS Tactical Real-Time Operations</b><br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.aprs.org/APRS-tactical.html">http://www.aprs.org/APRS-tactical.html</a><br>
<br>
Also keep in mind some of the primary aspects of the APRS world, is
the Mobile / Portable / Special Event / Providing Local Info world.
Mobiles passing through your area can learn a lot of amateur
activities and events from the APRS provided information your area
provides. Mobiles need to configure properly on their end using a
CTCSS 100 squelch pl, and base stations need to NOT use the 100Hz pl
tone on their end UNLESS providing important information or making a
communications contact. If all stations were transmitting the 100Hz
pl, most mobile stations will turn their receive volume down, thus
missing the benefits of the voice alert feature.<br>
<br>
Have had personal experience with many many mobile trips using APRS,
and am very grateful to all those stations / systems that provide
information about the weather and other concerns in there area in
real time. APRS allowed me to see weather data around me, and
especially for the travel path ahead of me. Weather Alerts also
would activate my system with out intervention on my part from those
stations. Many times this was my only source of information that
applied to the safety and situational awareness in real time. Even
the national weather frequencies 162.xxx are not as complete as
APRS.<br>
<br>
Another very very nice feature I love about the Kenwood Dual Band
mobiles that support APRS, is receiving text messages from others
that not only display on the radio, but also are read out to me in
voice. Great for the safety of the driver keeping distractions to a
minimum and yet staying situational aware.<br>
<br>
Bottom line is that there is a lot to APRS. It is up to the operator
to select the equipment and configure it for the features they like
best. Keep in mind, this can be done with out computers or the
internet! <br>
<br>
There is much much more, but this is just an interest topic here,
not meant to be the do all detail info found on the web and the main
aprs site.<br>
<br>
73 from Bill - WD8ARZ<br>
WD8ARZ-7 HT TH-D7AG<br>
WD8ARZ-9 Mobile TM-D700AG<br>
WD8ARZ-10 Android Smart Phone - APRSdroid and U2APRS<br>
APRS Viewer on Android for displaying APRS stations only, no beacon
/ transmitting.<br>
<br>
Off Road Ham Net - <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://offroadham.com">http://offroadham.com</a> - Login and tell em WD8ARZ
sent ya ;-]<br>
Wednesday 7pm EST<br>
Sunday 11am EST
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