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VK7AX > APRS 02.01.08 01:44l 306 Lines 10266 Bytes #999 (0) @ VKNET
BID : VK7AX-0201YT
Read: GUEST
Subj: [APRS] Digest Number 1448
Path: IZ3LSV<IW2OAZ<CX2SA<ZL2BAU<VK4TRS<VK7NW
Sent: 080101/2320Z @:VK7NW.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC #:34205 [NWTARIG] FBB7.00g $:VK7AX-0
From: VK7AX@VK7NW.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : APRS@VKNET
There are 9 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1a. PicPac replacement
From: k7rkt
1b. Re: PicPac replacement
From: Scott Miller
2a. Re: OpenTracker vs. TinyTrak
From: Scott Miller
2b. Re: OpenTracker vs. TinyTrak
From: no6b@no6b.com
2c. Re: OpenTracker vs. TinyTrak
From: Scott Miller
3. APRS DIGI suggestion?
From: Rod Bartlett
4a. New to Group
From: Harold Bates
4b. Re: New to Group
From: Harold Bates
5. Convert MIC-E messages to lat-lon
From: no6b@no6b.com
Messages
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1a. PicPac replacement
Posted by: "k7rkt" k7rkt@bigredbee.com k7rkt
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:23 am ((PST))
With the Byonics PicPac out of production, what other commercially
available solutions exist for an integrated APRS decoder/display?
There are several products like OpenTracker+ and TT4 that can decode
packets and shove waypoints to a PC and/or handheld GPS, but that
requires yet *another* set of cables and battery powered devices.
I'm aware of HamHud, but those devices seem to provide more
functionality then needed, and cost more than my $100 target price?
I'm looking for another solution that integrates the display, decoder
and battery power all in one device like the PicPac used to provide --
is there anything like this out there?
What about pairing something like the OpenTracker / TT4 with a serial
enabled LCD like those available from sparkfun? They all seem to
expect TTL level inputs, so some sort of level converter would be
needed, but that seems like a pretty straightforward solution.
Comments?
-- Greg, K7RKT
Messages in this topic (2)
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1b. Re: PicPac replacement
Posted by: "Scott Miller" scott@opentrac.org n1vg
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:40 am ((PST))
I actually wrote a mod for the OT1+ firmware that lets it use a standard
parallel LCD. So far it just displays the to/from line and the first
part of the packet. Here's a picture:
http://n1vg.net/opentracker/images/ot1plus-display.jpg
Getting it into a case with a battery is up to you at this point. Doing
a one-off wouldn't be that hard if you're good with a Dremel. A 9-volt
battery would power it for several hours at least and wouldn't require
any extra circuitry.
It should work with any HD44780-compatible LCD module that takes 5 volt
inputs. I just grabbed the first thing I found in my junk box that had
a convenient pin header for breadboarding.
Scott
N1VG
k7rkt wrote:
> >
> >
> > With the Byonics PicPac out of production, what other commercially
> > available solutions exist for an integrated APRS decoder/display?
> > There are several products like OpenTracker+ and TT4 that can decode
> > packets and shove waypoints to a PC and/or handheld GPS, but that
> > requires yet *another* set of cables and battery powered devices.
> >
> > I'm aware of HamHud, but those devices seem to provide more
> > functionality then needed, and cost more than my $100 target price?
> >
> > I'm looking for another solution that integrates the display, decoder
> > and battery power all in one device like the PicPac used to provide --
> > is there anything like this out there?
> >
> > What about pairing something like the OpenTracker / TT4 with a serial
> > enabled LCD like those available from sparkfun? They all seem to
> > expect TTL level inputs, so some sort of level converter would be
> > needed, but that seems like a pretty straightforward solution.
> >
> > Comments?
> >
> > -- Greg, K7RKT
> >
> >
Messages in this topic (2)
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2a. Re: OpenTracker vs. TinyTrak
Posted by: "Scott Miller" scott@opentrac.org n1vg
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:03 pm ((PST))
> > up, and if so ask them what they are running. Needless to say, effective
> > output
> > power is what counts and optimizing your antenna choice may be the most
> > important thing.
Agreed... 20 watts is about the minimum I'd use for a mobile tracker
around here.
> > Scott-
> > Plain Mil-Std-810 is an obsoleted 1962 spec.
> > http://www.dtc.army.mil/pdf/810June1962.pdf
> > <http://www.dtc.army.mil/pdf/810June1962.pdf>
> > Of course the Chinese sources must be trustworthy and they've really
> > submitted
> > that radio to a certification lab for one of the specific newer levels
> > of that
> > standard, haven't they? (Cynical hairy barbarian from the low kingdom, ain't
> > I?<G>)
They sent a copy of the testing certification, for what it's worth. I
trust the Taiwanese manufacturers just a hair more than those in
mainland China, which isn't much. It does seem to be more rugged than
the PX-777. Only dropped it once so far, though, and I don't intend to
destroy my samples finding out. I'm just not convinced it's worth the
extra cost compared to the Puxing.
Scott
N1VG
Messages in this topic (18)
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2b. Re: OpenTracker vs. TinyTrak
Posted by: "no6b@no6b.com" no6b@no6b.com no6b
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:30 pm ((PST))
At 12/29/2007 21:37, you wrote:
> >I think the real reason you don't see KISS in some APRS programs is that
> >the programs are written in Visual Basic or a similar language that
> >doesn't allow easy access to binary data. It takes a different set of
> >tools to manipulate 8-bit data streams, while in converse mode you can
While I agree that VB wasn't "built" with bit-level operations in mind,
it's quite doable using the byte data type. If you're forced to take data
in string format, the CopyMemory API function can be used to transfer the
bits straight into a byte array. I used this trick in the past to increase
program speed (back in the pre-GHz CPU era, when it actually mattered),
since string ops in VB are slow compared to boolean & integer.
Bob NO6B
Messages in this topic (18)
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2c. Re: OpenTracker vs. TinyTrak
Posted by: "Scott Miller" scott@opentrac.org n1vg
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:54 pm ((PST))
Yeah, I've been forced to do binary stuff in VB myself once in awhile,
but it's not fun. I just can't think of any other reason a programmer
wouldn't bother supporting KISS.
Scott
N1VG
no6b@no6b.com wrote:
> >
> >
> > At 12/29/2007 21:37, you wrote:
> >
> > >I think the real reason you don't see KISS in some APRS programs is that
> > >the programs are written in Visual Basic or a similar language that
> > >doesn't allow easy access to binary data. It takes a different set of
> > >tools to manipulate 8-bit data streams, while in converse mode you can
> >
> > While I agree that VB wasn't "built" with bit-level operations in mind,
> > it's quite doable using the byte data type. If you're forced to take data
> > in string format, the CopyMemory API function can be used to transfer the
> > bits straight into a byte array. I used this trick in the past to increase
> > program speed (back in the pre-GHz CPU era, when it actually mattered),
> > since string ops in VB are slow compared to boolean & integer.
> >
> > Bob NO6B
> >
> >
Messages in this topic (18)
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3. APRS DIGI suggestion?
Posted by: "Rod Bartlett" rbartlett@cablelynx.com n8qvr
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:34 pm ((PST))
If you could use any equipment that you wanted for an APRS Digi, what
would it be?
I have access to some 180 foot towers with a dualband Diamond antenna
on the top. I would like to setup an APRS digi on each of these and
possibly have crossband repeater capability also in the case of an
emergency.
I like the builtin APRS of the D700a but I like the ease of the
crossband features of the Ft8800 better.
I am open to all suggestions.
Thanks
Rod - N8QVR
Messages in this topic (1)
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4a. New to Group
Posted by: "Harold Bates" kb5sxv@yahoo.com kb5sxv
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:22 pm ((PST))
I have a old KPC-3 with Ver5.1, a GarminII+ GPS, and cable that can run
via 12V Cig lighter with plug for TNC or Computer and 4 pin hookup to
GPS. I may use a different modem like a Tiny Tracker 3 or some other. I
am just looking for info and the reason I joined the group. I have
several radios that I might be able to use. I want to build a tracker
for the pickup. I will look through the files and database to see what
is there that might help me out.
Thsnks 73's
Harold KB5SXV
Messages in this topic (4)
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4b. Re: New to Group
Posted by: "Harold Bates" kb5sxv@yahoo.com kb5sxv
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:03 pm ((PST))
I have another KPC3 that has Ver6.0 that I might use, seams it would be
better. Any advise from anyone.
Harold KB5SXV
Messages in this topic (4)
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5. Convert MIC-E messages to lat-lon
Posted by: "no6b@no6b.com" no6b@no6b.com no6b
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:22 pm ((PST))
Does anyone know of a program/script/algorithm to extract lat. & lon. from
MIC-E strings? I have the raw data saved from WinAPRS in a text file &
would like to load it into MS Streets & Trips. I have the APRS protocol
reference v1.0.1 that describes the format & was about to write my own
program to do this, but would rather not reinvent the wheel if one was
already available, & it doesn't look like WinAPRS can save lat/lon. Thanks.
Bob NO6B
Messages in this topic (1)
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