[Packet] Yaesu 8900 on APRS

[Deon Erwin ZS1ZL]

Jonathan

You will be able to use the FT-8900 for voice and APRS, but not seamlessly.

Consider the following:

*  The radio can receive simultaneously on the left and right VFOs, but not
transmit simultaneously.

*  The radio will only transmit on the 'active' or selected VFO, either left
or right.  You will have to select one side to make a voice transmission and
then select the other side for APRS to continue when you are done
transmitting voice.

*  The APRS packets will not be transmitted while you are busy with voice.
So, you willl have a gap in your APRS track if you are travelling and having
a long conversation.

*  If the voice and APRS transmissions are taking place on the same band,
then one will be swamped when the other is taking place.  For instance, if
your APRS is set to transmit on VHF and you are listening to a conversation
on VHF, then the conversation reception will be interrupted every time a
packet is transmitted.

*  There is a menu setting that allows the microphone to be switched off
during data transmission.  If this is not selected, then you will have a
'live' mic while the APRS packets are transmitted.  You will not be able to
activate this optoin when the radio is used for voice and APRS with the
result of possible corrupt data.

Please note, whether you run a dual band radio or separate radios for voice
and APRS, some problems remain common between the two options and it is a
case of being aware of the limitations.

Deon ZS1ZL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Thawley, KC8CPW" <kc8cpw at gmail.com>
To: <yaesu at mailman.qth.net>; <aprs at mailman.qth.net>;
<packet at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 11:19 PM
Subject: [Packet] Yaesu 8900 on APRS


Fellow hams,

I'm in the process of putting APRS in my car and I was just wanting to hear
any suggestions or problems you may have run into with using this radio on
APRS.

I also was told that I can continue using this same radio for voice and I'm
trying to figure out how that is possible.

I guess the biggest question I have is this. If the above is true, do I have
to switch between left and right utilizing main band feature or does the
data port automatically know which side it will be using?

I'm just worried that if I have to switch between the left and right side of
the radio that I will forget to put it back on the APRS frequency and then
I'm going to keying up a local repeater.

I welcome any thoughts or comments. Thanks in advance.

Jonathan/KC8CPW
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry