[InHam] APRS in southern Indiana?

[Bob Burns W9RXR]

At 11:42 AM 12/26/2007, Dan Evans wrote:
>It may be a few months, but to start with I will be just sending my 
>position so that other stations can monitor my location.

That part's easy these days. In addition to the Open Trackers (the 
T2-125 that I mentioned has a stand-alone brother, the OT2m, that can 
be used with any radio), the TinyTrak's are also popular 
(http://byonics.com/tinytrak/). One other solution that I didn't 
mention is the Kenwood TM-D700 and TM-D710 which just recently 
replaced it. You'll still need a GPS receiver, but both radios do 
give you a rudimentary display of APRS activity around you in 
addition to sending out your own position. Now that the D710 is out, 
more D700s will be showing up in the used market. In fact, I may have 
mine for sale soon.

>The ARRL just released some pretty big changes in the Rover category rules.

Yes, I saw a posting on another list about that. I'm pleased to see 
the "Limited Rover" category introduced. The ARRL Contest Branch 
really needs to advertise this change. The microwave equipment that 
some of the Big Gun rovers use is often perceived by potential new 
rovers to be beyond their technical or financial capabilities. The 
Limited Rover class will give folks a chance to effectively compete 
with less investment. With an Icom IC-706MkIIG or Yaesu FT-100D, a 
transverter for 220, and the appropriate antennas, a new Rover can be 
on the air with four bands pretty easily (as your rover set-up has 
demonstrated).

How do you see APRS working to a Rover's advantage? Do you think that 
other contest stations will use APRS to track the Rover locations and 
look for them on the bands? Bear in mind that the APRS beacon from a 
2m FM radio is probably going to wipe out your 2m SSB or CW contact 
if they are both mounted in the same vehicle. You'll have to learn to 
work around the beacons.

Bob...