1. APRS 101 APRS in Emergency Comms
Automated Packet Reporting System
A Communications Tool
Developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
Our Neighbor in Glen Burnie and USNA
APRS

2. This Workshop: Basic APRS 101 Emergency Comms using APRS
Convenient routine uses for APRS
Do’s and Don’ts to help the network.
Individual station set-ups.
Making it all play nicely together.
APRS

3. APRS is a communication support system
To facilitate all forms of local HAM Comms
Who, What, When, Where, Why & How!
Call Freq Now Map Status Msg
Position, course and speed
Information on Antenna and Range
Text Messages, , Bulletins
AND Voice!
The maps are just so you can SEE the Network and know how to Communicate!
APRS

4. APRS Voice Alert! *
(Simultaneous Voice and Data channel)
(Automatic Proximity Alert)
Voice Alert is effectively a 3rd & 4th Radio channel for APRS radios with internal TNC’s
Set APRS Band A to CTSS-100, Volume UP!
All packet-racket is MUTED
You are available for a voice call using PL-100 on
And you will hear* a Ping ALERT if another VA-station comes in line-of-site to you… (a proximity radar alert!)
Great for long haul traveling and meeting other APRS users.
Also great local Backchannel for APRS coordination
APRS

5. APRS Channel MUTE Set APRS Band A to CTSS-XXX, Volume UP!
(Voice alert with personal CTCSS)
Set APRS Band A to CTSS-XXX, Volume UP!
All packet-racket is MUTED
All other Voice Alert Proximity pings are muted
You are available for a voice call using PL-XXX on
MUTES APRS, but allows for backdoor (PL-XXX) voice contact
Include “V-Alert Txxx…” in your Status Text
APRS

6. This Workshop, 28 January 2018 Anne Arundel Radio Club Davidsonville, MD Topics: 1 Basic APRS® Emergency Comms using APRS 3 Convenient routine uses for APRS 4 Do’s and Don’ts for a healthy the network 5 Individual station set-ups 6 Making it all play nicely together
APRS

7. APRS 101 APRS is a communication support system.
It uses the common AX-25 Amateur Radio Data Protocol
“Packet” refers to an encapsulated stream of data elements.
APRS

8. The APRS Network Common APRS network: 144.390 MHz, simplex
We can and will use other simplex channels for special purposes ( MHz today)
APRS

9. The APRS Network APRS is an “Unconnected Protocol”
Transmitted without a verified connection to another station.
Includes validation check-sums.
Receiving stations set as digipeaters may retransmit (repeat) the packet according to the content of its “digi-path.”
APRS

10. The APRS Network “Digipeaters” repeat packets on RF.
“IGates” relay packets to or from the Internet.
A station may be either or both.
Digipeater or Igate.
Packet “collisions” corrupt both packets.
One station should not transmit while it hears a transmission from another.
APRS

11. Emergency Comms with APRS
This is not “a tool looking for a use!”
The system is mature but still being enhanced.
APRS

12. Emergency Comms with APRS
How we can make use of APRS:
Transmit our position coordinates.
First use of APRS.
Include status information in our packets.
Show what type of station or service we are.
Transmit beacon packets to groups
Reach all or self-selecting users.
APRS

13. What’s in an APRS packet?
:08:51 EDT:
WJ3K-9>SY0T6W,WJ3K-10*, WIDE1*,WIDE2-1,
qAR,WA3NHK-10:
`h;pl <0x1c>>/]
MHz T V/ALERT=
WOW! What a pile of stuff!!
APRS

14. What’s in an APRS packet?
:08:51 EDT:
Date and time, per time zone set in radio or software
SY0T6W,
Type of APRS data system at transmitting station.
WJ3K-10*,WIDE1*,WIDE2-1,
Digipath with WJ3K-10 inserted as first digi.
qAR,WA3NHK-10
The Igate that inserted the packet into APRSIS
APRS

15. What’s in an APRS packet?
:08:51 EDT:
WJ3K-9>SY0T6W,WJ3K-10*, WIDE1*,WIDE2-1,
qAR,WA3NHK-10:
`h;pl <0x1c>>/]
Condensed position string. (Lat/Lon)
MHz T V/ALERT=
QSY Info plus free-form text (more on this)
APRS

16. Automated QSY Recent (> 1998) APRS integrated radios.
Who is out there?
Where are they?
How can I contact them?
You can read this info on your APRS radio.
Their position, time and motion.
Frequency, PL tone setting*, Freq. offset*.
All incorporated in an APRS beacon.
APRS

17. Automated QSY Recent (> 1998) APRS integrated radios.
Some Kenwood and Yaesu Mobiles & HT’s
Automatically transmit beacons showing voice channel Freq, PL Tone, and Offset.
Automatically (when asked) will tune their voice channel to the data in the received beacon.
And likewise will tune to a proper Repeater Object!
APRS

18. Automated QSY Some Kenwood Mobiles & HT’s -
From my experience, so far –
KWD TM-D710A will tune to the frequency, but not tune the PL tone and offset.
It will transmit the frequency data only
KWD TM-D710GA, TH-D72 and TH-D74 will tune to the frequency, PL tone and offset in an APRS beacon.
Also transmit their frequency, PL and offset data.
APRS

19. Automated QSY Some Yaesu Mobiles -
From my experience, so far –
FTM-350 and 400D will tune to the frequency, PL tone and offset in an APRS beacon.
Also transmit frequency, PL and offset data.
Yaesu HT’s don’t have auto QSY feature.
But – they can be set manually if you know what you are doing!
APRS

20. Automated QSY
Radios withoug auto QSY can can be set manually if you know what you are doing!
To work correctly, the data has to be entered correctly.
Examples:
MHz T
MHz T
APRS

21. Automated QSY Examples: Explanation: 147.105MHz T107 +060
MHz C
Explanation:
Frequency is 10 places, with the decimal at 4 and “MHz” at 8,9,10, followed by a space.
The upper and lower case in “MHz” is critical.
APRS

22. Automated QSY Examples: Explanation: 147.105MHz T107 +060
MHz C
Explanation:
T107 is 4 places, followed by a space.
C107 indicates station transmits PL tone as well.
107 means “107.2”
APRS

23. Automated QSY Examples: Explanation: 147.105MHz T107 +060
MHz C
Explanation:
T107 means “Requires PL Hz to open the receiver.”
C107 means “Requires PL Hz to open the receiver and transmits PL ”
APRS

24. Automated QSY Examples: Explanation: 147.105MHz T107 +060
MHz C
Explanation:
We drop the decimal place, and pad the first place with zero when necessary. “C085” means 85.5 Hz.
APRS

25. Automated QSY Examples: Explanation:
MHz T
MHz C
Explanation:
+060 is Positive Offset, 600 kHz.
+500 is Positive Offset, 5 MHz.
The automated radios do this correctly.
This text can also be entered manually.
APRS

26. Automated QSY Examples:
MHz T
MHz C
This is much more useful than just “Listening on except maybe when I’m asleep or doing something else, and my battery voltage is Volts.”
A short free form note can be appended.
APRS

27. Automated QSY Examples: A short free form note can be appended.
MHz T
MHz C
A short free form note can be appended.
MHz T V/Alert RX
APRS

28. Automated QSY Repeater objects use the exact same format.
MHz C KB3CMA C4FM AMS
The frequency must be the first characters
DO NOT insert Power-Height-Gain.
It messes up the works
It doesn’t work with Yaesu radios.
And, who cares how high your tower is?
APRS

29. APRS Messaging
Messages can be originate on a keyboard or within the radio.
Message beacons (try to) find their own way through the network.
A message addressed to an APRS station will travel until it runs out of its digi path.
The addressed station should return an “ack.”
APRS

30. APRS Messaging The addressed station should return an “ack.”
Addressed station is specified by call sign and SSID (KC3XYC-12).
All operating KC3XYC stations should receive and store the message, but
Only KC3XYX-12 will “ack.”
APRS

31. APRS Messaging
If the addressed station out of the local network, even on the other coast, and
If the message reaches an Igate, and
If the addressed station has been heard recently (registered) through a local Igate,
THEN APRSIS will try to route the message to the addressed station, and return the “ack” beacon. THIS IS NEAT!
APRS

32. APRS Messaging -
You can send APRS messages to any address.
Just enter “ ” in the address field, and enter the full address as the first word of the text.
Keep it short – 67 characters max.
This has just scratched the surface.
APRS

33. APRS Messaging
If the addressed station out of the local network, even on the other coast, and
If the message reaches an Igate, and
If the addressed station has been heard recently (registered) through a local Igate,
THEN APRSIS will try to route the message to the addressed station, and return the “ack” beacon. THIS IS NEAT!
APRS

34. APRS Voice Alert
Voice alert uses PL tone on the transmitted digital signal, and Tsq to filter the received signal for V/A.
WHY?
First, just for kicks  You’re driving along and wondering if somebody wants to talk. You hear digital gratch on the APRS channel. That shows that someone else is playing V/A.
Give them a call if you want to chat.
APRS

35. APRS Voice Alert
WHY?
More importantly, consider a real, serious, heavy duty emergency.
Here I am with my radio.
Who else is out there?
Where are they?
How can I reach them?
Can they help me? Can I help them?
APRS

36. APRS Voice Alert WHAT? You don’t even need an APRS radio.
Transmit voice on with PL 100.0
If we all get on board, someone will hear you.
Listen for a voice response, or for a data signal.
If you have an APRS radio, even just an HT, you will probably get into the APRS data net.
APRS

37. APRS Voice Alert
WHAT?
The Kenwoods can TX and RX PL Tone on the digital signal.
Yaesu mobiles do, but their HT’s do not superimpose PL on data.
But you can still use the voice channel on PL while sending APRS beacons on the data side.
APRS

38. To Wrap it Up This is a LOT of stuff.
There is a LOT of info on the ‘Net.
Don’t believe everything you see or hear.
APRS

39. To Wrap it Up Help is literally Just Around the Corner.
When you get started or make changes, ask someone to look and tell you -
What your beacons look like.
How far they are traveling.
If the info is accurate and useful.
APRS

40. To Wrap it Up Help is literally Just Around the Corner.
We have some fixed stations that transmit their battery voltage every two minutes with a digipath of WIDE1-1,WIDE2-2.
They blanket the entire Northeast and Midatlantic area with useless QRM.
DON’T DO THAT!
APRS

41. THANKS FOR COMING TODAY
Now let’s go and set up an APRS network and see how this works.
APRS

42. APRS

43. APRS

44. APRS

45. APRS

46. The APRS Network Information exchange between everyoneAa
Digipeaters
And to the Internet Gateway
2 Hops max
APRS

47. Internet Connectivity
Only MSGs go back to RF
Local RF
Everything goes into the Internet
APRS

48. Seeing the Situation (Symbol Atributes)
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49. Symbol Atributes The original Overlayable Symbols
Note, some popular “aprs” programs do not display ANY of these 11 attributes on any map! They show meaningless ICONS instead
Since April 2007, all
alternate symbols
may now have overlays
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50. APRS – IS - Local Info! Last 100 stations! Direction & Distance
Frequency and Tone
APRS

51. APRS – IS - Local Info!
APRS

52. APRS-Internet (APRS-IS)
Google for “USNA Buoy” Select USNA-1
APRS.FI
OpenAPRS.NET
Findu.com
This data is LIVE
APRS

53. APRS-IS (FINDU – Near) * Click to see all stations on map
Google for “USNA Buoy” Select USNA-1
* Click to see all stations on map
APRS

54. APRS-IS (click to see all stations on map)
Google for “USNA Buoy” Select USNA-1
Also:
APRS.fi
OAPRS.net
Etc…
40 miles
APRS

55. APRS-IS (FINDU - Messages)
Google for “USNA Buoy” Select USNA-1
Also:
APRS.fi
OAPRS.net
Etc…
APRS

56. Global APRS !
To:
MSG: ET call home!
APRS Global Text Messaging since 1993; from HT’s since 1998!
Send from any APRS radio anywhere to anyone on the planet, anywhere LIVE.
WU2Z Engine on the APRS-IS gates it to Internet
Great Demos. Send an to a Blackberry in the audience.
New Initiative! Universal Amateur Radio Text Messaging
APRS

57. Universal Ham Radio Text Messaging Initiative
cell
wireless
APRS
DTMF
Send/RX anytime, anywhere, any device by callsign
26 separate systems! But ALL CAN !

58. APRS Msgs/Email MSG menu Send/Receive messages or email
Anywhere on the planet via APRS satellite
Confirmation of Relay =>
APRS

59. What is APRS all about? (Humans communicating INFO with Humans)
Immediate local digital and graphical information exchange between all participants in a local area or event. This includes:
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
RF Connectivity plots of all stations
Local OBJECTS on a common map display for all users
Local Freqs, IRLP, ECHOlink, Winlink, Nets, Meetings
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 s
Mobile-to-mobile global text messaging
Weather data exchange and display
Efficient multi-user Satellite communications
APRS

60. APRS, Maps, Events and Objects!
Dayton Hamvention
APRS

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

62. TRACKERS (should be two-way)
One-way APRS is not recommended. APRS is a Network.
Use the Receiver to receive calls!
The Beacon should include the receiver Voice frequency so the operator can be involved in the Net!
One-way trackers are good for non-manned assets at large movement events.. Not as the only APRS asset for a ham.
Trackers may be his 2nd, 3rd or 4th unit for APRS support… not his 1st!
APRS

63. Mobile/Portable APRS Terminals
Kenwood TM-D700A
Dual band 144/440 MHz 50/35 Watts
Built-in 1200/9600 bps TNC including digipeater
Built-in APRS Displays and messaging.
Other APRS stations show on attached GPS map
TM-D710
Kenwood D7 Yaesu VX8R
Adds operation Freq to every posit !
Auto tunes to others with Freq!
Shows local Voice Repeaters !
APRS

64. Other APRS radios 2 M Radio with optional TNC.
Alinco DR-135T/EJ-41U
2 M Radio with optional TNC.
N1VG Scott makes an OT tracker module
No messaging/data display
But OT adds GPS map display
VX8R available since Dec 08.
VX8G GPS built-in (2010)
Or HAMHUD on any radio!
APRS

65. APRS on ANY radio! (using the RC-D710)
RC-D710 DISPLAY
Plug-n-play Audio Connection
Jeff KB2M
APRS channel DSTAR channel
On IC-2820 DSTAR
APRS

66. APRS on ANY radio! (using the RC-D710)
Attached to an ALINCO HT
Simple SPKR/Mic connections
NiCd Battery Pack
APRS

67. APRS Event Data Entry Ops send scores Net Control Score Message Sent
Score Data Received
APRS

68. Event Data Entry (DTMF)
Using ANY Radio with a DTMF keypad
Troop Number and
Score received at
Net Control
APRS

69. APRS (RFID) Hot Spot See aprs-rfid.html
For big events, put one at each checkpoint or venue.
Every clubhouse/EOC door
See who is operating where, on what frequency and when
APRS

70. APRS (RFID) Hot Spot See aprs-rfid.html
Was demonstrated with door mats at Dayton

73. APRS Range circles and Path tracing

74. APRS ( DFing by signal strength )

75. APRS Tracking with Milemarks

76. APRS – Traffic Speed Posts
Shows speed of traffic past special points

77. APRS is INFO. not just tracking!
Milemarks?
APRStt?
Field Data?
Voice Alert?
Signal Finding?
Nets? Meetings?
Tracker-Voice?
RF Range?
Frequency?
AVRS (Ham Radio Mobile Cell via APRS=>VOIP)?
Traffic?