Transcript APRS Introductory Overview Adapted from Bob Bruninga’s FrostFest 08 presentation - by K9DCI July 2008 July 2008, K9DCI APRS is a registered trademark Bob.

APRS
Introductory Overview
Adapted from Bob Bruninga’s FrostFest 08 presentation - by K9DCI July 2008
July 2008, 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:
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
Local information of value to the traveler
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 and tracking and one-line emails
Mobile-to-mobile global messaging
Weather data exchange and display
Efficient multi-user Satellite communications
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Scope of APRS
●
APRS consists of a very large land
based wireless network. Almost
30,000 users around the world.
●
This network works via Repeaters
every 20-30 miles called
“digipeaters.” And Globally via
IGates to the internet (APRS-IS).
●
APRS is also used via some of the
Amateur Satellites.
●
It is also used to monitor
telemetry values of weather
stations for the National Weather
Service (NWS)
●
APRS stations in the US
APRS has the capability to quickly
relay telemetry values to research
centers without the Internet.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS MisConceptions!
●
That APRS is just Vehicle Tracking instead of a Real-Time Information Distribution System.
●
That APRS is dependent on GPS for its value (GPS is not needed. See Objects).
●
Failure to use the APRS built-in Mile-Marks (file) for tracking all other non-APRS mobiles.
●
Using APRS clients that only do maps and ignored too many of the APRS fundamentals.
●
Ignored the fundamental Decay Algorithm to accelerate new data, and decay old data!
●
Failure to understand that APRS is all about OBJECTS: . See Objects 101 and Operations
●
Failure to use real-time messaging: . See Messages 101 and Message Operations
●
Failure to implement the original APRS Centralized Common Bulletin Board concept.
●
Not understanding the APRS operator’s role as a Data Input (Objects, Bulletins and Messages)
●
Not using the D7 and D700 as data entry and clipboard display units at field events.
●
Failure to understand how to best use APRS Displays in support of real-time events.
●
Failure to display APRS symbols with all their attributes and colors without clicking them
●
Failure to manage the network by adjusting the local digipeater for the situation at hand.
●
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
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
PC
Comparison to
Packet
Ordinary
For Ex-Packeteers and Newbies
•MOSTLY One-to-One (connected)
Request, ACK, Confirm, Message
•Requires knowledge the RF network
Must specify specific Call signs
Must specify specific digipeaters.
Smart nodes started 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
Has bulletin / Message groups
Sends 5 times or until ACK
•APRS is a Group (subset) of Packet
•Fading out of usage
•APRS is its own Supergroup
•Growing in Popularity & Functions
DF assistance
Satellite Digipeaters
Internet Backbone
Station location map/Image (Google)
E-Mail (send only right now)
QRZ Query
CQ Server (world wide)
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Kenwood
Kenwood TM-D700A
● 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 as of June 2008
July 2008, 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
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Yaesu VX-8R
Due out July-Oct 2008
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]
Preliminary
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Updated Oct 2008, 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 are 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.
For the D7, D700, D710 APRS radios.
● Great for meeting APRS users while traveling.
For Mobiles Only. Fixed stations don’t send Tone (shouldn’t).
● 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 stations may listen for transient APRS mobiles.
But NOT transmit APRS beacons. This is a “Human Listening” signal.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Event Mesaging
Score Message
Score = 42 for
troop 874
Scores being reported
July 2008, K9DCI
Score Data Received
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
users per degree of lat/long
July 2008, 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)
July 2008, 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
July 2008, 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
July 2008, 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.
July 2008, 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!
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
The New-N
IMPORTANT
Paradigm 2005
Factor of 3 to 5 improvement!
●
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.
●
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.
●
A WIDEn-N path goes N hops outward in all directions.
●
WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 Currently Recommended Path concept
●
Users NEED to understand this.
July 2008, 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
IGates (Global APRS!)
● An IGATE is a local APRS station that utilizes
the APRS-Internet network to pass all packets
heard on their local RF back to the Internet.
(Gives global views to local activity.)
● Also act as two-way gateways for ALL APRS
MESSAGES worldwide (Internet  RF).
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Global Mobile & Portable
Com=APRS
Other Sats
APRSLink server
WinLink
WHO-IS server
CQ server
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
E-Mail
QRZ
APRS-Internet System (APRS-IS)
Situational awareness +
Internet services
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Findu.com etc. Mapping
Internet tracking developed by Steve Demise – K4HG
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
WeLCARS Tech Fest
Image from DB0ANF site
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
FINDU – Stations Near List
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
FINDU – Stations Near Map
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
FINDU - Messages
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Findu.com Weather Data
Temperature & Dew Point
Rainfall Rates
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Locate on Weather Radar
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Long Term Tracking
My travels in December 06 through May 07. Note lack of coverage areas.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS for Special Uses
Bicycle rallies, races
● Walk-a-thons, Parades
● Skywarn
● Weather Nets
● Crime prevention patrols
● Tornado recovery
● Damage assessment
● Direction Finding – Foxhunts
● Voice for communications, APRS for visual mapping
● Now integrating into APRN (Automatic Picture Relay
Network)
●
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Buoys & Stuff
German Buoy and Balloon projects
BUOY 4
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Findu.com Telemetry Plots
Google for
“USNA Buoy”
Select USNA-1
Google for “USNA Buoy” Select USNA-1
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Other
(APRS-IS)
Services
● World-Wide real-time one-to-one Messages -
Via Internet.
Very short one-to-one messages. Between any two active stations.
Send TO: Callsign-SSID
● EMAIL - Goes into the Internet e-mail system.
Very short messages. Send only.
Send TO: EMAIL
Email address first in message.
Server sends ACK.
(Tnx Sproul Brothers)
● WHO-IS or WHO-15
(some Digis require number SSID)
Send TO: WHO-IS or WHO-15 Call sign is the message.
License class, name, state & country are returned.
(Tnx Sproul Brothers)
● CQ - World-wide real-time one-to-many messages.
Send TO: CQSRVR Msg is CQ {groupname}
Used on Field Day [CQ FD CQ FD...]
Stays valid for 12 hours.
(Tnx Pete, AE5PL)
● APRS <> Winlink 2000 Radio e-mail system.
Send TO: WLNK-1 or WLNK-2 Multi-APRS messages required.
See the command list http://www.winlink.org/aprslink
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS is in Orbit
● APRS space frequency is 145.825 MHz
● Also via GO-32 on 435.225 downlink, 145.85 MHz up
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Into Space..PCSAT
●
The Prototype Communications
Satellite, is a US Naval Academy
Aerospace student project.
ANDE and RAFT
in Dec 2006
●
APRS space frequency is published as 145.825
●
As of June 2008 currently useable: ISS, GO-32, ECHO
and PCSAT when it is in good sun.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
PCSAT Satellite
● Launched Sept 2001 from
Kodiak Alaska
● The first APRS satellite,
and has since been joined
by 5 other such satellites
●
Can capture Emergency
/Priority messages from
THD7 / D700 radios
anywhere on the globe
and retransmit these
signals on the USA VHF
144.39 APRS frequency.
See live downlink on http://pcsat.aprs.org
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
International
Space Station
● ARISS supports APRS
on its 145.80/145.99
packet system.
● Use digipeater path VIA
ARISS.
● PCSAT2 was also on
ISS 2005-2006
● Also has FM voice
repeater capability
See live downlink on www.ariss.net
PCSAT2, was the second
APRS digipeater satellite.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Now GO-32
TECHSAT-1b
● GO-32 now supports
APRS on its
435.225/145.85 packet
system.
● APRS up on 145.85
(PC’s and messages)
● Mic-E up on 145.93
(D7 and D700’s)
9600 Baud!
See live downlink on www.ariss.net
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
GO32 -EZ - MOBILE Satellite
Prediction and Tracking
Fri 26 Oct is day8
● No computer needed
● Two or more solid TX/RX passes every day
● Two additional TX passes 100m before and after!
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Tracking ECHO (AO51) too!
Friday October 26th is day 4!
● No computer needed
● Two or more solid passes every day
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
LEO Pass Geometry
Bottom line:
● 10 dB gain Horizon-to-horizon
● 98% of all in-view times
● Using $75 TV rotator only
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Omni SatGates
Up coming satellite strength in next two hours.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
10 minute ticks.
Anyone can be a SATgate!
Omni Antenna
Gain 7 dBi !
1%
The 2 meter 1/4
antenna has good
gain at satellite
elevations on
both 144 & 440.
30%
3/4
1/4
Best elevation
for reception
NO Sat tracking
necessary!
70%
Set the D700 or
D710 to digi from
B side Sat freq to
A side 144.390
Data from omni antenna & GPS satellite strength. Percents are passes in each region.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Omni SatGates
Packets Received Per Minute vs. Satellite Elevation
This is with a 3/4 wave vertical.
Below 25 degrees, satellites are further, thus 6-10 dB weaker.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Satellite Tracker
ASatLogger
Current Ver 0.6.1
Beta 0.6.2
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
ASatLogger Features
●
Facilitate comms with APRS and Packet Satellites.
●
Control Kenwood D7, D700, D710's - serial port.
●
Adjust D7 and D700 radio's automatically for Doppler shift - not the D710.
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ASatLogger reconfigures D7/D700/D710 in seconds for different satellite.
●
Relay satellite packets to the APRS-Internet System and FindU.com.
●
Log Packets to disk for a permanent record.
●
Allow others to monitor Satellite communications via your station.
●
Control a D7, D700, D710 and operate AsatLogger via Internet.
●
Files for common satellites and radios included.
●
Track multiple satellites - requires a Nova DDE Server and D7, D700, D710.
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Emergency Comms
Satellite-Simulated Emergency Test – SSET
- Send an emergency Email via Satelilite
Meteor-Scatter Monitoring Network (6 meters)
- Dozens of Igates monitoring 50.62 MHz
- Message Throughput in minutes
- Using surplus 110 Watt 6m radios
- Simple 100’ long wire gain antennas
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Other Items
● Local Info
● Local repeater Freq & PL sent by digi.
● Meetings, Nets & Hamfest location & talk-in freq.
● Packet Cluster D700, D7 & D710 display them.
● HF APRS
300 baud. Subject to normal skip.
30 Meter HF APRS frequency. Caution: Carrier out of band (10.151).
● HF APRS Boat and RV Tracking Net.
Carrier
7.085
10.151
14.100
14.105
Mode NORMAL USAGE
LSB Regional HF tracking nets
LSB National HF tracking freq
LSB DX tracking freq
LSB Packet Keyboarding freq
● Ken-Key - Keyboard interface for the TM-D700
John Hansen W2FS
www.coastalchipworks.com/Kenkey.htm
Does NOT work with the D710 according to John.
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
APRS Emergency
Power
200W Solar Power
- Continuous
10 kW gas Generator 220 VDC
- Auto-runs as needed
Bob Bruninga’s Solar augmented Prius
- lightweight wires
Low Cost
July 2008, K9DCI
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Questions ? ? ?
Other Sats
APRSLink server
WinLink
WHO-IS server
E-Mail
QRZ
CQ server
Slides from Bob Bruninga except as noted. Many were modified for this presentation
July 2008, K9DCI
shows modified slides
APRS is a registered trademark Bob Bruninga, WB4APR