[FARC] APRS Info

[Kirk Talbott]

I found another useful APRS document if the FARC reflector will support using the link below.  If not then just type it in or copy and paste the URL into your browser.

http://www.users.cloud9.net/~alan/ham/aprs/aprs.pdf

Note this is a PDF file.

I won't pretend I understand all of this APRS stuff, especially the unproto paths section.  Is it N3KTX-2,wide2-1, is it relay, is it wide, is it relay,wide, is it wide, wide, wide or wide3-3 ?   Is it New-n Paradigm wide1-1,wide2-1 or Relay Paradigm relay,trace2-1?  Paleeze make it stop!

I have been experimenting with APRS and my Kenwood TM-D710A.   The verdict is, I like it.  If you want to get into APRS and not fool with the computer and APRS software so much, you can buy the Kenwood TM-D710.  For right now I set up my TM-D710A as a fixed station while I experiment with its capabilities.     

I can generally do everything you would do on the computer with APRS, including E-mail to the Internet and packet messaging via Winlink 2000, though it is tedious using the 710A's controls.   I wouldn't attempt to do it while driving.   

I have no mapping as a fixed station, but do I really need this?    If I need to know where you are, I can pick up the mic, call, and ask you.   A cork board on the wall, a map, and some push-pins should do the trick.  

Though I don't need a GPS unit with a fixed station, I bought into the advertising hype and got the AvMap G5 planning for a future mobile installation.  The G5 works fine, though a less expensive unit would have worked just as well.   I don't like making cables though which I believe would have to be done to connect other GPS units to the 710A.  

So, I have it, now what to do with it?  Well it's a good 2m/70cm rig, it has it's own internal TNC so conceivably one could connect it to a computer and do regular old Packet with it,  it can operate in Echolink SYSOP mode for those of you who know what that is,  plus all the APRS functions.   

All in all a pretty neat rig.  

73
KB3ONM
Kirk