DemonstrationWinAPRS Running with TNC

WelcomeFWARC APRS Clinic

Why We Are HereAPRS is a powerful tool for emergency managementReadiness requires skilled cadre of HamsFederal Way is not an APRS hotspot

Our SponsorWeyerhaeuser FoundationMaking WAVEsWeyerhaeuser Active Volunteer EmployeesGrant to FWARC for this activity

CDWinAPRS, UI View and APRS+SA programsAGWPE programWinAPRS map filesSetup informationAPRS SpecSatellite tracker programs

Other Sources of InformationTucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) http://www.tapr.orgNWAPRS http://www.nwaprs.orghttp://aprs.rutgers.eduUse Google to searchBooks check whats available from ARRL

What is APRSAutomatic Position Reporting SystemPacket communication protocol for sharing live data on a network in real timeRealtime tactical communications and display system for emergencies and public service applications (APRS Spec)

APRS FeaturesMapsMessagingObjectsBulletins and announcementsWeather station reportingDX Cluster reportingInternet accessTelemetry

HistoryInvented by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR in 1992Devised to facilitate short haul, short duration data transfer conventional packet was not suitable

HistoryAPRS for DOS was the first programMacAPRS 1994 by Sproule brothersWinAPRS is recompiled from MacAPRSMany other APRS apps since runs on Windows 3.x, 9x, NT and XP, Mac, Linux, Palm, CE and DOSGPS adjunct came afterwards

UsesPassive FunWatch the display of many stationsWatch the ISS or PCsat fly byWatch emergencies in actionTrackingFind your buddiesTrack your teenagerBalloons and rockets

UsesTelemetryBalloons and rocketsPost bulletins, event notices and venuesSend email

More UsesEventsTrack the parade Grand MarshalTrack the last marathoner or bike racerEmergenciesSearch and rescueDisaster informationEOC messagingTrack the fire chief

Still More UsesWeather monitoringSee wind speeds and temperatures in the areaReport wind damageTrack tornados

TheoryAssumptionsPacket radioDigipeatersAPRS ProtocolFrequenciesGPS

AssumptionsRadiosAntennasPC Skills

How does APRS Work?Some details

Packet RadioHistoryAX.25 protocol was approved by ARRL in 1984Came from X.25 protocol (the A is for Amateur)Primary difference from X.25 is allowance for call signs and for unconnected packets

Packet RadioPackets Strings of data bytes called frames3 kinds of frames in ordinary packetInformation (I frame)Supervisory (S frame)Unnumbered (U frame)6 kinds of U frames, one is Unnumbered Information frameUI frames are used for transmitting data in an unconnected mode

Packet RadioIn packet radio, qsos are always between connected stationsSeveral qsos can take place simultaneously on the same frequencyPacket qsos may be digipeated but by specific stations

How is APRS different from Packet Radio?Communication is one to manyUses generic digipeating with well-known aliasesSupports intelligent digipeating to reduce network floodingUses UI frames for messaging, bulletins and announcementsProvides maps and other features

How APRS uses PacketsUses the same AX.25 protocol but only a part of itUses Unnumbered Information (UI) frames exclusivelyAlways runs in connectionless mode

How APRS uses PacketsFrames are transmitted without expecting any responseReception is not guaranteedMessages work same way but use an ack technique

The UI Packet

Destination AddressFrom the APRS spec

Destination AddressThe adr SPCL is to be used for special events. APRS s/w should provide for only showing stations with this adr (but it doesnt).Usually just shows the software version. WinAPRS v2.6.1 sets this to APW261

Destination AddressMay also containMIC-E encoded dataOther unique encoded dataNo reason to change this since s/w cant cope

Source AddressMy station call sign

An Intervening Word about DigipeatersWhy do we need them?Increase coverageDigipeater versus repeaterVoice repeaters operate in duplex modeDigipeaters operate in simplex modeDigipeaters use store and forward technique

DigipeatersWide area digipeatersIn this area are usually on a mountaintop Have good antennas and more powerOperate automaticallyOperate all the time

DigipeatersRelay digipeaterUsually somebodys home stationShould be able to communicate with a WIDE stationPurpose is to help low powered stations get to the WIDE

DigipeatersWide area digipeaters may be known by an aliasExamples: SOMTN, KOPEAK, SEATACor notExamples: N7OEP-10, K7NWS-10

DigipeatersDigipeaters respond to certain generic aliases Relay, used by any station to relay mobiles to a wideEcho, HF only, same function as RelayWide, all high digipeatersTrace, use call sign substitution to indicate path the packet tookWideN-N, wide digipeating limited to N hopsGate, HF to VHF connection

DigipeatersDigipeaters only repeat if their call sign, their unique alias, or a generic alias is in the digi path

Back to the UI Packet -- Digipeater AddressesAlso known as the unproto pathUp to 9 addressesSpecific or generic aliasesSpecified in s/w configurationRepresents the route you want your packet to follow

Digipeater AddressesRules of thumb (see WinAPRS help file)Dont use RELAY unless you are a mobileIf you can hit a wide, then include it as the first digi in the stringIf you want wide coverage then use WIDE2-2 or WIDE3-3 after a specific WIDEExample: SOMTN,WIDE2-2

Digipeater AddressesYou can be really specific about the pathExample: SOMTN,KOPEAK,MEGLER would route you down to Seaside, OR area and nowhere else

Data Field

Data Type ID

Types of DataThere are ten main types of APRS Data:PositionDirection FindingObjects and ItemsWeatherTelemetry

Types of DataMessages, Bulletins and AnnouncementsQueriesResponsesStatusOther

Data ExamplePosition data

Data Extension ExamplePHG extension refers to power, height and gain (also directivity)Height is above average local terrainForm is PHGphgd

FrequenciesVHF 144.391200 baudHF 10.15151 LSB300 baudSatelliteISS Downlink 145.800, uplink 145.990PCsat simplex 145.8281200 baud

Getting on the Air with APRS What to Buy/ScroungeDetails

HardwareHome station requirements2 meter radio and antennaDesktop computerTNC or soundcard/interfaceMobile station requirements2 meter radio and antennaVariables

HardwareMobile variables the Full Meal DealGPSLaptopTNC or soundcard/interface or Baycom modem

HardwareMobile variables minimal functionalityNo GPSLaptopTNC or soundcard/interface

HardwareMobile variables trackingGPSNo computerTracker interface devicePower source for portability

HardwareWhat is a sound card interface?Connects the computers sound card i/o to the radio mike and speaker terminalsProvides isolation and attenuationMay provide a VOX capability

HardwareWest Mountain Radio RigblasterSee http://www.westmountainradio.com/

HardwareTigertronics SignalLink ($50)See http://www.tigertronics.com

HardwareHomebrew your ownSee http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.htmlThe simplest interface

HardwareAn isolated interface

HardwarePTT circuits

HardwareOpto-isolated PTT circuitsOpto device is TI111 or equivalent

HardwareWhat is a tracker interface device?A mike encoder TAPR Mic-E (kit discontinued)Tigertronics TigerTrak TM-1 ($90)Also functions as a full function tracking and telemetry module

HardwareA self-contained tracking/telemetry moduleTigertronics TigerTrak TM-1Tiny Trak II kit ($30)See http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/tinytrak.html

HardwareTAPR PIC-E

HardwareAnother approachTigertronics BayPac modem ($50)Accompanying software creates the packets in the computerReplaces the modem found in a TNCNo sound card required

HardwareComputersRunning with a TNC doesnt require a fast computer or recent O/SA slow machine means your maps will refresh very slo-o-o-olyRunning AGWPE requires a little horsepower, maybe 100 MHz, Win98, 32 MBAs with all apps, more memory is better

HardwareTNCsAny TNC will do when a computer is attached.Old style TNCs may not be GPS aware, but they work for base stations

HardwareCablesSourcesMFJ http://www.mfjenterprises.com

HardwareTNC cablesComputer serial port to TNCUnique to your TNCTNC to radio mike connectorUnique to your TNC and radio

HardwareSound card interface cablesComputer sound card to interface boxMay need Y connector to retain external speaker functionInterface box to radio mike connectorUnique to your radioBuy a unique cable or have a way to configure the connectivitySources for cables, MFJ or BuxcomMay need a cable from speaker out to interface box if no speaker audio in mike connector

HardwareBayPac cableBayPac plugs right onto the serial port connector on computerBayPac to radio mike connectorUnique to your radioBuy the right cable from Tigertronics

HardwareConsideration for GPS with TNC2 serial ports are neededIf only 1 serial port is available, can use a Port sharing device

HardwareGPS ReceiversMust have PC interface portMust output NMEA messages on the PC portGood to have an external antenna for the GPS

SoftwareWinAPRSProsEverybody knows about itFree mapsCan use high quality Precision MapsUnregistered version has full functionality

SoftwareConsHelp function is badNot totally stableNot everything worksMaps arent so goodExpensive to registerSomewhat limited in scope

SoftwareAPRS+SAProsComprehensive functionalityHigh quality Street Atlas maps

SoftwareConsNo (I said no) helpHard to manipulate mapsConfusingOnly works with Street AtlasHave to register to use AGWPEExpensive to register

SoftwareUIViewPros16 bit version is free, 32 bit version is inexpensiveQuality codingExtensive help filesAny GIF or bitmap file can be a mapWorks with Street Atlas and others

SoftwareConsMap zooming is a problemSomewhat limited in scope

SoftwareXastirProsWorks on LinuxGood map capabilityConsNot a Windows program

SoftwareMacAPRSShares same code with WinAPRS

SoftwareAPRSPointProsHigh quality MS MapPoint mapsConsProgram is expensive and maps are more expensive

SoftwareMy recommendationUse WinAPRS until you get your feet wet.Spend 20 bucks on Street Atlas and switch to UI View

SatellitesISSExcellent signalPCsatBuilt by Bruningas students at AnnapolisFind the satellites positionhttp://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/realtime/JTrack/Spacecraft.htmlPCSAT Telemetry Decoder program on CD

Another way to view APRSInternetFINDU http://map.findu.com/callsign (substitute your call for callsign)

Lunch BreakBrainstorm the Exercise

Demo of Other APRS S/WAPRS+SAUI View

WinAPRS InstallationFind the file w261updt.zip in the WinAPRS folder on the CDUnzip the contents to a folder of your choiceIn the folder in which you placed the WinAPRS files, create a maps subfolderCopy all of the files from the maps folder on the CD to the maps folder on the PC

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationSet the station parameters firstFind your coordinates at http://www.wm7d.net/fcc_uls/

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationSet the WinAPRS parameters

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationSet the TNC serial port speed and confirm communication

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationConfigure the TNC settings

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationSet the TNC radio port speed to 1200 for VHF, 300 for HF

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationSet the position report rates

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationSetting alternate path

WinAPRS/TNC ConfigurationCreate file ALTPATHS.TXT in WinAPRS folderEdit this file to include your preferred alternate pathsK7NWS-10,WIDE2-2SOMTN,WIDE2-2SOMTN,KOPEAK

Running WinAPRSEnter station informationUntil you register you must reenter all of your station information:CallsignState, county, cityPositionStation iconUTC offsetComments for position and status messag

Running WinAPRSYou must reconfigure the TNC or soundcard settings as well

Running WinAPRSMapsThe program defaults to the USA map when started, pick SeaTac Area Detail or Northwest from the Maps menu to show a large scale view of our areaUse zoom buttons from the toolbar on the right to zoom in and outOr hold down right mouse button and drag an area to be enlarged

Running WinAPRSClick the Home button to zoom all the way outClick anywhere in the map to center it at that pointPage Up and Dn keys also zoom out and in respectivelyUse arrow keys to scrollDeselect menu item Display|Map Labels to get rid of annoying labels

Running WinAPRSQueriesTwo types, general or directed

Running WinAPRSSending MessagesEasiest way is to select a station by double-clicking one on the mapIn the resulting window, click the message button (has envelope icon)In the New Message Dialog window, type the message and press OK

Running WinAPRS

Running WinAPRSClick the Lists|Message List menu itemIn the Message List window monitor the progress of your messageIf you want to kill the message select it then press Backspace

Running WinAPRS

Running WinAPRSCreating an ObjectClick on the map where you want the object createdSelect menu item Edit|Edit/Add Station/Object

Running WinAPRS

Running WinAPRSIn the Edit/Add Station window type a name for the object in the Call or Name fieldThe lat/lon fields should show the value where you clicked

Running WinAPRSSelect an icon in the Station Type boxClick the Active radio button to transmit the objectTo move the object, click on object and while pressing Alt, drag to new locationTo delete the object, delete from station list window

Running WinAPRSSending EmailIn the New Message Dialog window, enter EMAIL in the To box.Enter the email address in the Msg box followed by a space and then the message.

Running WinAPRSListsStation listUse it to determine who your digipeaters are

Running WinAPRSPath listUse it to see who you can hear directly

AGWPE InstallationFind the file agwpe.zip in the AGWPE folder on the CDUnzip the contents to a folder of your choice

AGWPE ConfigurationDouble click the file agwpe.exe on the PCRight click the agwpe icon in the systray (near the clock)Select properties from the popup menu

AGWPE Configuration

AGWPE ConfigurationIn the RadioPort Selection window select New PortIn the Properties for Port window, set TNC Type to Soundcard

AGWPE ConfigurationIn the SoundCard Modem/TNC Setup window, make no changesIn the Properties for Port window, select SinglePortExit program and restartSound card settingsSet sliders to about 2/3 of maxSet recording slider as well

WinAPRS/AGWPE ConfigurationStart AGWPE first, then start WinAPRSSet Station settings as for TNC configurationSelect Ports list from Settings menuIn Port Definitions window, select AGWPE on Local and click OpenCheck that Comment field shows the installed version of AGWPE, then close the window

Questions??

Student Installs