Transcript APRS Introductory Overview

APRS
Introductory Overview
Adapted from Bob Bruninga’s FrostFest 08 presentation - by K9DCI July 2008-May 2010
May 2010, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
What is APRS?
● APRS = Automatic Packet
Reporting System
● APRS was developed in the
early 1990's for local tactical
digital communications,
situational awareness and
TWO-WAY information exchange
using Amateur radio.
● Not just Vehicle Tracking!!!
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
What is APRS all about?
● The APRS System was developed to provide immediate local digital and
graphical information exchange between all participants in an event. This
includes not only tracking and monitoring position data, but also status,
messaging, bulletins all without having to maintain packet connections.
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Typical data:
Local information of value e.g. Meetings, Repeaters, IRLP Nodes, Storms
Positions of all stations and objects
Status of all stations
Messages, Bulletins and Announcements
Weather data and telemetry
DF bearings and signal strengths for quick transmitter hunting
Typical applications are:
Routine local awareness of all ham radio events and assets around you
Marathons, races, events and public service
Search and rescue
Family communications, tracking and email
Mobile-to-mobile global messaging
Weather data exchange and display
Efficient multi-user Satellite communications
May 2010, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Scope of APRS
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APRS consists of a very large land
based wireless network. Almost
30,000 users around the world.
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This network works via Repeaters
every 20-30 miles called
“digipeaters.” And Globally via
IGates to the internet (APRS-IS).
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APRS is also used via some of the
Amateur Satellites.
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It is also used to monitor
telemetry values of weather
stations for the National Weather
Service (NWS)
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APRS stations in the US
APRS has the capability to quickly
relay telemetry values to research
centers without the Internet.
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS MisConceptions!
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That APRS is just Vehicle Tracking instead of a Real-Time Information Distribution System.
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That APRS is dependent on GPS for its value (GPS is not needed. See Objects).
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Failure to use the APRS built-in Mile-Marks (file) for tracking all other non-APRS mobiles.
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Using APRS clients that only do maps and ignored too many of the APRS fundamentals.
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Ignored the fundamental Decay Algorithm to accelerate new data, and decay old data!
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Failure to understand that APRS is all about OBJECTS: . See Objects 101 and Operations
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Failure to use real-time messaging: . See Messages 101 and Message Operations
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Failure to implement the original APRS Centralized Common Bulletin Board concept.
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Not understanding the APRS operator’s role as a Data Input (Objects, Bulletins and Messages)
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Not using the D7 and D700 as data entry and clipboard display units at field events.
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Failure to understand how to best use APRS Displays in support of real-time events.
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Failure to display APRS symbols with all their attributes and colors without clicking them
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Failure to manage the network by adjusting the local digipeater for the situation at hand.
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Not realizing the importance of Voice Operating frequencies in APRS.
See APRS-tactical.html
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Various APRS Stations
(two-way)
APRS is a Network intended for real-time Tactical
INFORMATION exchange. This means TWO-WAY.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
What’s a TNC
Radio
Terminal Node
End Point
Audio
Control
TNC
Modem
Controller
Well ... Controller
Packet Station
Bytes, Words, Packets, Protocol
uP
Bits
Messages, Control, Mailbox, interface
Packet Messages & Commands
APRS Client Software
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
PC
Comparison to
Packet
For Ex-Packeteers and Newbies
•MOSTLY One-to-One (connected)
To specific station via specific digipeaters
Request, ACK, Confirm, Message
•Requires knowledge the RF network
Must specify specific call signs
Must specify specific digipeaters.
Smart nodes began to auto-rout.
•Can do (Ham) Broadcasts
Packet
APRS
•MOSTLY (Ham) Broadcasts
Send & Pray
All APRS transmissions go to “APRS”
•Little knowledge of the RF network
All digipeaters have the “same” call.
Ham only specifies # of hops
Standard Path Settings.
•Can do One-to-One Messages
Sends 5 times or until ACK
Has bulletin and Message groups
•APRS is a Group (subset) of Packet
•Fading out of usage
May 2010, K9DCI
Ordinary
•APRS is its own Supergroup
•Growing in Popularity & Functions
DF assistance
Satellite Digipeaters
Internet Backbone > World-Wide contacts
Station location map/Image (Google)
E-Mail (send only) & WinLink2000
QRZ Query
CQ Server (world wide)
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Add the Kenwood D72
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Kenwood
Kenwood TM-D700A Discontinued
● Dual band 144/440 MHz 50/35 Watts
● nBuilt-in 1200/9600 bps TNC including digipeater
● Built-in screen display of other APRS stations
and front-panel send/receive messaging.
● Other APRS station locations are sent to the
attached GPS map for display.
TM-D710
● Adds operating Freq to every posit !
● Auto tunes to others with Freq!
● Shows local Voice Repeaters !
Discontinued
Kenwood TH-D7A(G)
Discontinued
Discontinued as of June 2008
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Alinco DR-135T/EJ-41U
● Basic 2 M Radio with optional TNC.
(Opentrack makes a drop in tracker TNC)
● Allows direct input from
any standard GPS.
● Basic 1200/9600 bps TNC
● Unlike the Kenwood radios, it requires a PC to set it
up, and there is no APRS display directly on the radio.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Yaesu VX-8R
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Quad band
TX Range:
50-54
144-148 222-225 440-450
Power max: 5 W FM 1 W AM 5 W
1.5 W
5W
RX: AM FM WFM 500 kHz - 999.99 MHz. (Cell blocked)
Dual Independent Ham Receive (V/V, V/U, U/U )
Simultaneous AM/FM stereo broadcast Rx
CTCSS DCS Encode & Decode
APRS 1200/9600 bps (B band only)
Weather Receiving with Weather Alert
Barometric (altitude) and Temperature sensors
1267 Memories (some are frequency specific)
Memory name 16 characters
Spectrum Display ±50 channels
Time domain display (O-scope) of received modulation
Submersible IPX57 (3 feet for minimum of 30 minutes)
7.4 V 1100 mAh 1800 mAh Lithium-Ion batteries
3.7” x 2.4” x 0.9”
VOX, ARTS, AM Band Bar Antenna, CW Practice, Emergency CW Tx, Rx Atten
Clock timer, TOT, APO, Mic gain, Bat saver, Fixed Tx offsets. Int/Ext Charge
Options:
3x AA battery pack (reduced Tx power 1.5W 50/144/440 0.5W 222)
Bluetooth hands-free with BU-1 and BH-1 (stereo) or BH-2 (mono)
GPS unit [Requires Bluetooth mic or remote mic]
Feb 2010 K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Yaesu FT-350
tri-band
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TX Range: 144/220 and 430 MHz
Power: 50 W 144 & 430, 1W 223 MHz
RX: 0.5-1.7 AM, 76-108 WFM, 108-250 , 300-1,000MHz (Cell block) FM WFM
1051 Memories (500 each side and specific function memories)
Dual Independent Ham Receive (V/V, V/U, U/U )
Cross Band Repeat [?? Digi ??]
Simultaneous AM/FM stereo broadcast Rx
CTCSS DCS Encode & Decode
APRS & Packet capable 1200/9600 bps
Weather Receiving with Weather Alert
Memory name 8 characters
9 DTMF memories 16-digit
Front panel DTMF or hand held Mic DTMF
Barometric sensor (for altitude) and Temperature
Band Scope
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Options:
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Control Head Separation – 20 ft cable
Bluetooth hands-free with BU-1 and BH-1A (stereo) or BH-2A (mono)
FPR-1 Remote Monitor – allows others to listen remotely
Two Line inputs, GPS unit ?
Information from: http://www.yaesu.com/
Mar 2010, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS – is Local Info!
Last 100 stations!
Mobiles and HT are 100%
compatible
Direction & Distance
Frequency and Tone
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
TRACKERS
(two-way)
One-way APRS is NOT normally recommended. APRS is a Network. We
want good communications among all participants for maximum utility.
Trackers have no
APRS data display.
So the receiver
should be tuned to a
beaconed Voice
frequency so the
operator can be
involved in the Net!
The only value for these units is tracking some non-manned assets
at large movement events such as marathons, bike-a-thons, parades
and other community events, and maybe search & rescue teams.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Voice Alert!
Automatic CQ for Traveling APRS Mobiles
Also usable by NON-APRS mobiles!
● Effectively a 3rd Radio channel. D7, D700, D710 radios.
● Great for meeting APRS users while traveling.
For Mobiles Only. Fixed stations SHOULD NOT send Tone.
● Set Mobile APRS Rx (144.39) to PL-100 CT
but keep the volume turned up:
(in U.S.),
You’ll only hear nearby mobile Beacon squawks on 144.39
Answer and QSY to a voice channel.
● Fixed APRS & NON-APRS mobiles may listen for transient
APRS mobiles.
But NOT transmit APRS beacons. This is a “Human Listening” signal.
● Trackers & NON-APRS mobiles
Warning: be very careful if using Speaker Jack and CTCSS !
Mar 2010, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Event Mesaging
Score Message
Score = 42 for
troop 874
Scores being reported
Feb 2009, K9DCI
Score Data Received
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
users per degree of lat/long
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Software “Clients” add features
APRSDos
Has the Most Features
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
ALOHA circle and digipeater hops
[Your ALOHA circle is your 100% saturated channel range]
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Range Circles
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Range circles and Path tracing
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
DFing by signal strength
Gray = Not heard (phg circles)
Feb 2009, K9DCI
Colored Heard circles = inverse signal strength.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Solo DF Fade Circle Technique
white dots are fade-out locations
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Solo DF Fade Circle Technique
Alternate display in APRSDos
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
3D views for Balloon tracking
This is part of APRSdos software
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Tracking with Milemarks
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Traffic Speed Posts
Shows speed of traffic past special points
(captures APRS mobile’s speeds)
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Event Data Entry
Arial Map View
Compare carefully with next slide.
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Event Data Entry
Flip between the two
But this is only HALF of the APRS function!
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
The New-N Paradigm 2005
Factor of 3 to 5 improvement!
IMPORTANT
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APRS Generic Paths evolved over 13 years and the presence of
many old legacy formats and procedures were really bogging
down the network making it saturated and unreliable in busy
areas.
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In 2005 all old paths were declared obsolete (RELAY & WIDE)
and the entire APRS system in the US was then focused only
on the WIDEn-N type of generic paths with small values of N.
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A WIDEn-N path goes N hops outward in all directions.
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WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 Currently Recommended Path concept
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Users NEED to understand this.
Feb 2009, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
The APRS Land Network
Aa
Digipeaters
And to the Internet
Gateway
Multiple Hops
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR