[CRAPRS] My APRS adventure -another update-

[Ron Tonneson]

Jerry,

Do not know why xasrit.org is down but you can still get it from Sourceforge.net at 
<http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=45562&package_id=38231&release_id=620057>

As you know I use UI-View here.  I run the KPC-3+ in TERM mode.  I added the line "INT TERM" as the first item after 
[INIT_COMMANDS] in file Peak Systems\UI-View32\CMDKTRONICS.CMD.  In comms Setup TNC TYPE is KTRONICS and Host mode is 
none.  This way the TNC does all the digi functions.

Ron - K0QVF

Jerry Pasker wrote:
> Posting from the CRAPRS mailing list:
> 
> 
> Well, I've got a digi running, (KB0QCL) with a Radio Shack HTX-242 
> and a Kantronics KPC3, with an 8.2 version ROM supplied by Ron, 
> K0QVF.  It can only reach in to K0HAM-10, and is only running on a 
> 5/8th wave stuck to some steel lawn furniture on my deck that puts it 
> at about 5 feet off the ground.  I was having a problem with getting 
> it to do WIDE1-1 and WIDE2-2 but I've now got that sorted out, and 
> it's doing the N-n correctly now.
> 
> Getting the digi running was fun.  I think I enjoy things that 
> require a command line to configure.
> 
> Just when I had it running and stable though, I had to take my shack 
> off line for nearly a month as my batteries and power supplies moved 
> in to a hunting cabin.  But now they're back.
> 
> This spring when things thaw, I'll definitely be moving the digi to a 
> tower near Cascade.
> 
> I've got two OpenTrackers, and two Garmin 18LVC GPSes, and they are 
> all excellent pieces of hardware from Argent Data Systems.   All the 
> Tracker cabling and harnesses I'm using though came from Byonics. 
> The trackers are set as KB0QCL-8 in my truck, and KD0EWX in my wife's 
> suburban.  Both are using HTs at 5 watts, transmitting in to low end 
> mobile antennas.  Only having one antenna on each vehicle rather 
> limits their use though.
> 
> I've been using the AP03 Automatic Power Off boxes from 
> aprsworld.net, and I can't recommend them enough. No more forgetting 
> to turn stuff on or off.  Those things are way cool.  Eventually I'll 
> have them on all my radios.
> 
> I've learned that using an HT in a vehicle as a tracker, with an 
> internal whip antenna is pretty much useless beyond anything more 
> than a few miles from a digi.  So an external antenna is definitely a 
> requirement.  I've read that 40 watts is a requirement too, but so 
> far, I'm fairly happy with 5.
> 
> I've got an HT that has bad finals (I think... without a power meter, 
> I can't be certain) and that was the transmitter that was going to 
> fly in the balloon project.  As long as it puts out a few dozen 
> milliwatts it should still work out OK I think.  That project is 
> nearly ready to go also.  I've got the battery box, tracker, radio, 
> radar reflector, and the balloon itself all ready to go.  There will 
> be no test flight as I don't think I will ever get it to land without 
> getting ripped up, and even if I tether fly it, I don't think I can 
> get it pulled down and "stripped"  in to a bag if I warm inflate it. 
> So it's flight will be a one time gig.
> 
> My payload package was going to be test flown on a manned hot air 
> balloon (TinkerToo or Puff Proud Papa) to test it out. I was never 
> able to integrate the package and test fly it on a hot air balloon, 
> as the hot air balloon pilot who's balloon crew I am on had her 
> flying season cut short by the colder than normal fall.  I'm still 
> open to suggestions on what to use as a lightweight antenna. 
> Anything will be better than the scrap if wire I'm using now.
> 
> So that project is going to wait until spring when I can test fly the 
> tracker payload on a manned balloon (guaranteed to get it back!)  to 
> see how well or *IF* the radio will put out enough signal in to 
> enough digis to make it work using.
> 
> I'm on my way to running an iGate, and I've started down the path of 
> actually trying to use some local APRS software, but UIView, being a 
> typical windows program, changed all the settings in my digi without 
> asking.  Major turn off.  Xastir is unavailable, as are MacAPRS and 
> WinAPRS.   Looking for APRS software is depressing, as it's mostly 
> just a large collection of dead links to software and websites that 
> don't exist anymore.
> 
> So what does anyone recommend for local APRS software?  Preferably 
> something that I can put on a dedicated machine to run as an iGate. 
> Any suggestions?
> 
> -Jerry
> 
> _______________________________________________
> CRAPRS mailing list
> CRAPRS at rf.org
> http://rf.org/mailman/listinfo/craprs
>