1. Alabama APRS Coordinator AMSAT Area Coordinator
The Power of
APRS
Huntsville Hamfest
Aug 16, 2014
Presented by:
Tim Cunningham - N8DEU
Alabama APRS Coordinator
HUNTSPAC Chairman
AMSAT Area Coordinator

2. Things happen every day... Situational Awareness?
Storm Seasons
come and go…
Things happen every day...
Are you Equipped for
Situational Awareness?

3. APRS - What is it ? APRS = Automatic Packet Reporting System
Alabama Packet Radio System
APRS = Automatic Packet Reporting System
Created by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, early 1990’s
Local Tactical data communications system
Adds value to HAM radio in emergency situations or public service events
Provides Situational Awareness
Delivers Messaging Capabilities
It is a mobile information network

4. APRS - What is it ?
Delivers instant NWS weather bulletins and coordinates
Informs you how close you are to the Area of Maximum Concern
See where everybody is located without asking, especially SKYWARN weather spotters (GPS not required)
Virtually any 2M or HF radio can be used for APRS
more than just a simple tracking system…

5. National APRS Frequencies
MHz 2m FM (primary)
MHz LSB

6. The New n-N Pardigm It Is not new anymore
We are 9 years into the plan (2005)
Still a number of non-compliant digi's
TRACE is obsolete
RELAY was replaced with WIDE1-1
WIDE was replaced by WIDEn-N
WIDEn-N traceable using UITRACE
SSn-N state, section, or regional routing
SSn-N used with UIFLOOD

7. Generic Digipeater Routing
IGATE
No need to know any Call Signs
N8DEU > APRS,
WIDE1-1,
WIDE2-1
WIDEn-n
N8DEU
WIDE1-1
WIDEn-n
WIDEn-n
WIDE1-1
WIDEn-n
This picture depicts how signals are relayed via a network of WIDE digipeaters, home stations, and the Igate’s connected to the internet. Internet gateways give us the magical resource to greatly extend our range on APRS when Digipeaters do not have the coverage. The Internet gateways also help reduce the amount of traffic on the RF channels with their intelligent capability to find the path required to make its destination.
This picture can help you visualize and explain how paths of RELAY,WIDE,WIDE or RELAY,WIDE2-2, and other routings pass through the system.
WIDEn-n
WIDEn-n
N8DEU > APRS,
DIGI1,WIDE1*,WIDE2-1:
DIGI1,WIDE1,DIGI2 ,WIDE2*:
WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1:

8. Generic Digipeater Routing
IGATE
No need to know any Call Signs
N8DEU > APRS,
WIDE2-2
WIDEn-n
N8DEU
WIDE1-1
WIDEn-n
WIDEn-n
WIDEn-n
This picture depicts how signals are relayed via a network of WIDE digipeaters, home stations, and the Igate’s connected to the internet. Internet gateways give us the magical resource to greatly extend our range on APRS when Digipeaters do not have the coverage. The Internet gateways also help reduce the amount of traffic on the RF channels with their intelligent capability to find the path required to make its destination.
This picture can help you visualize and explain how paths of RELAY,WIDE,WIDE or RELAY,WIDE2-2, and other routings pass through the system.
WIDEn-n
WIDEn-n
N8DEU > APRS,
WIDE2-2:
DIGI1*,WIDE2-1:
DIGI1,DIGI2,WIDE2*:

9. Generic Digipeater Routing
No need to know any Call Signs
IGATE
N8DEU > APRS,
AL2-2
ALn-n
N8DEU
ALn-n
ALn-n
WIDEn-n
ALn-n
This picture depicts how signals are relayed via a network of WIDE digipeaters, home stations, and the Igate’s connected to the internet. Internet gateways give us the magical resource to greatly extend our range on APRS when Digipeaters do not have the coverage. The Internet gateways also help reduce the amount of traffic on the RF channels with their intelligent capability to find the path required to make its destination.
This picture can help you visualize and explain how paths of RELAY,WIDE,WIDE or RELAY,WIDE2-2, and other routings pass through the system.
ALn-n
WIDEn-n
State Boundary
N8DEU > APRS,
AL2-2:
AL2-1:
AL2*:

10. Local Suggested APRS paths
Mobile
WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
Home
WIDE2-2
Use common sense or whatever it takes to reach an IGATE or intended station in your area or the application requires
These are general path settings that can be suggested as a starter for most users.

11. WIDE1-1 fill-in digipeaters
Be a part of the solution
If your home station still supports an obsolete RELAY alias, please change it to WIDE1-1
That is all there is to it
Your home station is a WIDE1-1 (fill-in digi)
If your area is already covered by a digipeater or another WIDE1-1, your WIDE1-1 is not necessary

12. APRS Voice Alert!
(For all APRS mobiles!)
Voice Alert is effectively a 3rd Radio channel for the APRS equipped radios
By setting the APRS Band, A, to PL-100,
but keeping the volume turned up:
You wont hear any packets on *
You will hear a voice call using PL-100 on
And you will hear* an occasional Ping packet if another APRS equipped comes in line-of-site to you, like a proximity radar alerting you to local presence.
Great for long haul traveling and meeting other APRS users.

13. Local Frequency Info Initiative
Information for the local area
Objects created to inform everybody
Voice Repeater freq, tone, range
SKYWARN net announcement
Echolink and IRLP nodes
Hamfest objects
Local on the air Nets
Kenwood D710 and Yaesu FTM-350R can autotune a repeater object
Great for out of town travelers

14. APRS – IS - Local Info! Last 100 stations! Mobiles and HT are 100%
compatible
Direction & Distance
Frequency and Tone

15. APRS – IS - Local Info!

16. APRS – IS - Local Info!

17. APRS – IS - Local Info!

18. APRS – IS - Local Info!

19. Send E-Mail from APRS Send messages from APRS to Internet EMAIL.
The (OpenAPRS) Method
The -2 (javAPRS ) Method
Send a message address to or -2 instead of a callsign.
In the message field, the Internet address should appear first followed by a space and the message you wish to send.
Address: or -2
Message: Hello Huntsville
The server will acknowledge receipt of the message and it will return a message, " message delivered OK", in response if the message was delivered properly.
APRS users can get near real time data that is transmitted from the NWS via EMWIN and repacketized for APRS in a special format. This format allows various APRS packages to display counties highlighted in red and yellow to depict the severity of the warning or watch.

20. WHO-IS Callbook Server
Send message to WHO-IS
Message just needs to contain a callsign or “f callsign” for full details
Callbook server will return details
Great for those stations you know, but have a senior moment
Send a quick message to WHO-IS
Nobody will know you forgot their name

21. NWS Weather Bulletins
NWS messages are generated by Pete Loveall, AE5PL
NWS message format can be found at:
WX county watch boxes can be hi-lighted with Red, Yellow, or Green colors to visibly indicate WX activity type
FinduU Server collects WX station data via APRS-IS
FindU Server dumps WX data every 15 minutes to MADIS Server
MesoWest gets data from MADIS Server
APRS users can get near real time data that is transmitted from the NWS via EMWIN and repacketized for APRS in a special format. This format allows various APRS packages to display counties highlighted in red and yellow to depict the severity of the warning or watch.

22. NWS Weather Bulletins
APRS users can get near real time data that is transmitted from the NWS via EMWIN and repacketized for APRS in a special format. This format allows various APRS packages to display counties highlighted in red and yellow to depict the severity of the warning or watch.

23. APRS is Clear and Concise
The Severe Weather Warning is immediate on APRS
The message is clear and concise
Relativity is crystal clear
Maximum area of concern is immediately transmitted on the APRS network
Location of spotters is known
Nothing is ambiguous!
No repeats required!

24. APRS displays everything
Spotter Locations
NWS Bulletins
WX Stations
Digipeaters
Repeaters plus frequency and tone
Even non-APRS stations

25. APRS users can add objects or other observers to the map
Data is transmitted for all stations to see any object or non-APRS user on the map
K4QF is added by N8DEU when his location is given on the Voice Net
Objects can be added for flooded areas
Objects can be added for downed power lines
Objects can be added for house fires
Everyone on the APRS networks gets the information with no ambiguity

26. APRS - 06-MAY-09
Alabama Packet Radio System
The weather net was activated around 6:30am on 06-MAY-09
Every county in the HUN NWS area in North Alabama had pending warnings except for 2 that had watches posted
As the net became active some of the pending bulletins were announced
With APRS we have a full view of what was active instantly to augment the Voice Net
It was a busy morning
All those on the Voice Net did an outstanding job

27. N4JDB requests how long it will be before the storm reaches Lawrence County. Net control does not have this information and things are getting busier.

28. Remember Sonny, N4JDB, who requested how soon the storm would reach Lawrence County. His home APRS weather station is right in the path of the NWS bulletin at 1213z, but Sonny does not know it yet and things are so busy nobody remembers his request. With APRS the message is clear and concise. This is information Sonny needs immediately. With APRS we know it immediately!

29. A spotter reports a Tornado heard near Browns Ferry Rd and Balch Rd
A spotter reports a Tornado heard near Browns Ferry Rd and Balch Rd. An object is placed on the map titled TOR_SPOTD. Just click on the location, select Object Editor from the Action menu, and enter the data and the symbol type.
If we know the course and speed of the Object we can make it move and update automatically. This is what APRS does when a beacon is not heard from a moving mobile station if enabled. A new post puts it back on course.

30. The storm spotter report results in immediate action by the NWS to issue a Tornado Warning at 1405z. Now we visibly see what is potentially in the path of the box. It is clear, concise, and immediate on APRS.

31. A Tornado sighting in the sky is reported at Moores Mill Rd and Winchester Rd on the Voice Net. This report is intercepted by an APRS user and placed on the map. The path starts to visibly take shape.
The third damage report comes in on the Voice Net and intercepted by an APRS users who places object DAMAGE3 on the display for everybody on the APRS network to see. It is tagged with WB8ELK voice report of trees and out-buildings down.

32. APRS – Get the Picture?
It should be clear APRS delivers real time information
We know where the NWS bulletins are located
We know where the spotters are located
We know where damage has been reported
The picture of danger is clear and concise
APRS fills in the missing gaps of the picture
Messages can be sent via the APRS data network when the voice repeater is out of range for some spotters
APRS augments the SKYWARN Voice Net
A Voice Net can be up an running quickly with all the NWS bulletins at their fingertips with APRS
Why wait until somebody staffs the NWS station
The time between danger and death is too short

33. APRS – Get the Picture?
Situational awareness is key to precise and timely information
What happens when an area is so devastated and there are no street signs
With APRS we know where you are
Reports can be plotted easily
Information is immediate
Want NWS bulletins with more meaning to situational awareness?
Get on the APRS tactical communication data network

34. The Balloon Chase using APRS

35. Space Applications
International Space Station
APRS digipeater is active on the International Space Station
Frequencies
Packet: MHz
Packet uplink : MHz
Voice uplink : MHz
ISS ground station Internet Gateways are feeding APRServe with ISS digipeated signals
APRS has been very active on the International Space Station. The ISS has been an excellent wide coverage digipeater available up to 6 times a day as it circles the Earth every 90 minutes.

36. Space Applications Designed for: Frequencies country travelers
PCSat
Designed for:
country travelers
sea travelers
travelers in remote areas of the world
mobile or handheld users equipped with GPS
Frequencies
MHz downlink
MHz uplink for HT’s (1200 baud)
MHz uplink for mobiles (9600 baud)
Launched on 30-SEP-01 from Kodiak Alaska Launch Complex
APRS now has its own dedicated satellite that was built for about $35K.
Other amateur radio satellites that have been used for APRS are AO-16, IO-26, UO-22, KO- 23, and KO-25.
Use APRSAT or W3ADO-1 for the digipeat path.

37. Alinco DR-135T with T2-135

38. Next Step? Who needs a radio when you have the Internet ?
No Radio required with a computer and the Internet
What about Software Requirements ?
What about Hardware Requirements ?

39. Watch APRS live on the Web at:

41. APRSISCE It is FREE ! Yahoo GROUPS Developed by Lynn, KJ4ERJ
Windows Mobile Phone
WiFi
Internet enabled phone
Will not support Windows Phone 8
Moving to Android

42. APRSIS32

43. What were all those symbols ?
Map Symbols
Automobiles
Emergency Vehicles
Satellite Stations
Weather Stations
Houses
Red Cross
Ham Store
too many to list...

44. How active is APRS ?
APRS MAP
CELL MAP

45. Various APRS Stations (two-way)
APRS is a Network intended for real-time Tactical INFORMATION exchange. This means TWO-WAY.

46. 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.

47. Mobile/Portable Satellite Terminals
Kenwood TM-D700A
Dual band 144/440 MHz 50/35 Watts
Built-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.
Kenwood TH-D7A(G)
TM-D710
Adds operation Freq to every posit !
Auto tunes to others with Freq!
Shows local Voice Repeaters !

48. The Alinco DR-D135TP Supports APRS 2 serial ports for computer and GPS
No message display
Works as basic tracker
1200/9600 baud built-in TNC option (Argent makes a T3-135 drop in TNC to add functionality)

49. Alinco DR-135T/EJ-41U Basic 2 M Radio with optional TNC.
(Argent makes a T2-135 drop in 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.

50. Argent Data Systems Tracker2/3
KISS Support
WX Station support
Free Firmware updates
Advanced APRS features
Intelligent digipeater support
Smart beaconing
Remote Configuration
Built-in voltage and temp monitor
Small 5-watt VHF transceiver with integrated Tracker2 available
The Tiny Trak is a small low cost tracker that is quite popular for portable tracker and mobile installations. Just add a GPS and a radio and you are ready to go.

51. Byonics Tiny Trak III Plus
$33 kit / $42 built
Adjustable TX rate
Based on PIC 16F628
Carrier detect to avoid collisions
Normal APRS or MIC-E operation
Time slotted reporting or SmartBeaconing
Can power a 5V GPS (Byonics GPS1, Garmin GPS18 or a Deluo GPS WAAS)
$98 kit or $107 built with Byonics GPS2 small GPS
The Tiny Trak is a small low cost tracker that is quite popular for portable tracker and mobile installations. Just add a GPS and a radio and you are ready to go.

52. Byonics Tiny Trak4 http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak4
$65 kit / $75 built
Field upgradeable
TX and RX packet data
Analog telemetry support
Supports NMEA, MIC-E, and Tracker modes
Based on ATMEGA324P20U (40 pin DIP) microcontroller
Time slotted reporting or SmartBeaconing
Can power a GPS
DSP Packet Decoding – 300/1200/9600 baud packet, DTMF, and new demodulation techniques can be added since it is not hardware based
Most of TinyTrak3 functions added
The Tiny Trak is a small low cost tracker that is quite popular for portable tracker and mobile installations. Just add a GPS and a radio and you are ready to go.

53. Byonics WX Trak http://www.byonics.com $33 kit / $42 built
Based on Tiny Trak III design
Supports connected WX Stations
Radio Shack WX200
Oregon Scientiic WM-918
Peet Brothers U100, U800, U2000, U2100
Davis WX station with WeatherLink APRS adapter
The Tiny Trak is a small low cost tracker that is quite popular for portable tracker and mobile installations. Just add a GPS and a radio and you are ready to go.

54. OpenTracker+ (OT+) Kit $32 or assembled $46
Kit $32 or assembled $46
Based on the Freescale MC908JL16CSPE microcontroller
Supports the following features:
Free firmware upgrades
RX capability
Analog inputs
APRS Telemetry output
Supports 1-wire and Peet Bros WX station
SmartBeaconing
PSK31 support for PropNet^31 Operation
On-board temperature and voltage sensors
The Tiny Trak is a small low cost tracker that is quite popular for portable tracker and mobile installations. Just add a GPS and a radio and you are ready to go.

55. TNC-X KISS only TNC $48 kit
$48 kit
Based on Microchip PIC 16F628A and a CML MX614 Bell 202 modem
Supports the following options:
uSmartDigi
X-Digi
X-Track
Rasbery Pi
Bleak Beagle
TNC can be powered by the USB port
BlueTooth now available
The Tiny Trak is a small low cost tracker that is quite popular for portable tracker and mobile installations. Just add a GPS and a radio and you are ready to go.

56. The Kenwood TM-D700A Supports APRS 1200 / 9600 built-in TNC
Displays symbol and distance from other stations
Display up to 40 messages
2 serial ports for computer and GPS to display waypoints
The Kenwood TM-D700A is another popular radio for mobile operation. Many APRS functions can be accomplished without the need of a computer.

57. The Kenwood TM-D710A
APRS® ready (position / message / operation frequency etc.)
1200 / 9600 built-in TNC AX.25
Dual receive on same band (VxV, UxU)
1,000 memory channels
Support for EchoLink system
Decay algorithm when sitting still
NMEA0183 GPS port
APRS weather station ready
SmartBeaconing implemented
Auto Tune Repeater Objects (freq, tone, offset)
The Kenwood TM-D700A is another popular radio for mobile operation. Many APRS functions can be accomplished without the need of a computer.

58. The Kenwood RC-D710A
Add Kenwood TM-D710 APRS like capabilities to virtually any 2M FM radio
APRS® ready (position / message / etc.)
1200 / 9600 TNC AX.25
Provides full control of TM-D700A and TM-V71A
Replaces TM-V71A control head
Decay algorithm when sitting still
NMEA0183 GPS port
APRS weather station ready
Requires PG-5J cable interface or equivalent
The Kenwood TM-D700A is another popular radio for mobile operation. Many APRS functions can be accomplished without the need of a computer.

59. The Kenwood TH-D7A Supports APRS 1200 / 9600 built-in TNC
Displays symbol and distance from other stations
Display up to 40 messages
2 serial ports for computer and GPS to display waypoints

60. The Yaesu VX-8R Quad Band HT 6m,2m,220,70cm 5W, 1.2W on 222MHz
Slimmer than the VX-7R
Dual receive (V+V or U+U)
AM/FM broadcast receiver
Supports APRS 1200/9600 baud (B band only)
Weather Alert receiving
High-rez spectrum analyzer +/- 60 channels
Optional Accessories
Bluetooth headset support
GPS unit and antenna

61. The Yaesu VX-8DR Dubbed a devoted APRS user version of the VX-8R
Smart beaconing added
Updated digi path settings from 1 to 7
Updated message buffer from 20 to 30
Updated station list from 40 to 50
Added digi path route indiaction
Optional Accessories
Bluetooth headset support
GPS unit and antenna

62. The new Yaesu FTM-350R An excellent competitor of the Kenwood D-710
GPS/APRS Bluetooth features
Dual band 144 (220) / 430 MHz 50W
Built-in barometric pressure sensor
500 independent memory channels
Smartbeaconing
Cross band repeat
12000 / 9600 baud

63. APRS WEB Sites www.aprs.org www.openaprs.net www.aprs.fi www.findu.com

64. News Groups APRS News APRS SIG APRS HT APRS Spec APRS Sat
Sign up at
APRS News
APRS SIG
APRS HT
APRS Spec
APRS Sat

65. Software for APRS APRSdigi UIView (old) APRSPoint AGWTracker
Software downloadable from the Web
APRSdos
MacAPRS (old)
WinAPRS (old)
javAPRS
palmAPRS (old)
Waypoint (old)
APRS Plus (old)
APRSdigi
UIView (old)
APRSPoint
AGWTracker
AGWTracker PPC
XASTIR
APRSISCE

66. APRS Coordinators Commissioned by WB4APR State Name Call Alabama Tim
N8DEU
Arkansas
Richard
Steve
Travis
KB4YTM
N5JPL
KB5ILY
Florida NA
Georgia
Mississippi (north)
Jeff
KB5NMB
Tennessee (east)
William
KI4HDU
Tennessee (west)

67. How can APRS Help ? It is clear and concise
Repeat of information not required once heard
No words need to be spoken or repeated
Response time is immediate
Beats NOAA WX radio alert every time
Beats Voice Net Alert every time
Relativity is always known
How far am I from the storm
Key spotters are instantly identified
Non-APRS users can be placed on the map
Every APRS user views the same data (RF or Internet)
Nothing compares to the speed of information
Tactical Communications Network
Augments a Voice Net with critical Real Time Information

68. Alabama APRS Coordinator AMSAT Area Coordinator
The Power of
APRS
Presented by:
Tim Cunningham – N8DEU
Alabama APRS Coordinator
AMSAT Area Coordinator