Tactical & Emergency Communications with APRS
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2020
- Are you on a budget and interested in exploring tactical communications with APRS?
#thetechprepper #aprs #smsgte #mobilinkd #tnc #baofeng #uv5r #aprsdroid #aprsfi #yaesu #ft818nd #tacticalcommunications #gps #xastir #direwolf #offgrid #emcomm #prepper
If you're new to the channel, welcome! I'm "The Tech Prepper" and I try to produce weekly videos on all topics related to preparedness. Thanks for supporting the channel! If you like the content, don't forget to hit the thumbs up icon, leave a comment, and subscribe to the channel. "Be strong, be safe and be prepared." -- The Tech Prepper
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you're interested in any items shown in the video, you can help the channel by using the affiliate links below. It doesn’t cost you anything.
1. Baofeng UV-5R - amzn.to/3hNrUM1
2. Mobilinkd TNC2 (Android only) - www.mobilinkd.com/tnc2/
3. Mobilinkd TNC cable for Baofeng - store.mobilinkd.com/products/...
4. APRSdroid - play.google.com/store/apps/de...
APRS Resources
1. www.mobilinkd.com/
2. www.mobilinkd.com/wp-content/f...
3. apps.magicbug.co.uk/passcode/...
4. smsgte.org/
6. www.aprs.org/
7. aprs.fi
8. • APRS Digipeater Baofen...
Episode: #61
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Great tutorial, glad that you used budget equipment. There is a new moderately priced APRS radio on the market. It is the Radioddity GA-5WB, it sells currently for $179.00.
Appreciate this. Added to a personal playlist so that I can reference again
No problem. I need to do an update video soon. Take care!
Just discovered your channel and subscribed. Very well done video!
I have zero experience with the Kenwood.
However I’ve owned the Yaesu 3DR for about a year now, and highly recommend it. Lots of useful features, as easy as a H/T gets to operate, and it’s pretty rugged.
Welcome to the channel and thanks for the subscription. I am a huge Yaesu fan boy and I've had my eye on the FT-3DR for some time now. I am sure it has treated you very well. The Kenwood is a great mobile rig especially for APRS. Take it easy.
Really good video, great explanation and you made it pretty easy to watch and to understand. I look forward to more vids.
Thanks, John. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found some value. I am still a new ham, but I am having fun sharing my experiences with everyone on the channel. My setup has changed a bit for APRS since this video was first released. It may be time for an update video.
just found you and subscribed keep up the good work and videos always love seeing ham radio on RUclips
Thanks, Mike. It's fun learning the hobby and sharing my experiences with everyone. Welcome to the channel! Ideas welcome.
Great...we got our own prepper engineer ..
Recently picked up the FT3DR and like it. I think the Kenwood gives you access to the built in TNC if you connect it to a computer.
Jason, thanks for the feedback. I haven't checked to see if you have a video yet on the FT-3DR. I'll search after work. Also, for anyone reading these comments, check out Jason's channel (KM4ACK). His videos really helped me get started with ARPS. I left one of his links in the description.
I believe HRCC has the FT2DR and prefers it for some reasons over the FT3DR, would have to find his Yaesu HT comparison / survey video.
Great Vid and like that you have stomped around the same areas a I have in the past. Next Time you are in the Durango/Farmington area give you a shout on the San Juan Repeater System. 73's de KF5INE.
Will do. I enjoy your neck of the woods. 73, KT1RUN
Great to see your experience with the Mobilinkd! I have some comments on the issues that you encountered:
1st - more power and a better antenna will always help - especially the case when you are mobile. To transmit your position from the RV, I'd recommend a mobile radio with APRS built-in (Kenwood TM-D710GA or Yaesu FTM-400XDR).
2nd - when going hiking/trail running away from home, you could put a mobile radio in your vehicle and configure it to be a digipeter (this is an option with the TM-D710, I'm not sure about the Yaesu), then, if your HT can reach your vehicle, your packet/message would have a better chance of making it to an iGate.
3rd - I love the Kenwood TH-D74, but I would not call it rugged - I do pack this radio and take it with me when I take trips, so it's not super fragile either.
4th - HF APRS is a thing (tested for General class yet?) and may be worth investigating especially with your portable system - you could use it to send messages once you get to an off-grid location to let others know you are safe.
Thank you for all the suggestions, William. I need to get off QRP (low power) and invest in a rig with at least 50 watts--this is the plan for September. As for #2, I am actually using my FT-818ND in the RV as a digipeater and IGate. It works great, but I could use more power. Thanks for the info on the TH-D74. I need a rugged radio. Sadly, I have been so busy with work, the new property, youtube and life, that I still have not taken my General. It will be soon. Thanks!
Just to clarify #2 - digipeater on the RV/vehicle mobile radio. Now that has to be a “digipeater” (ie receive RF - TNC decode APRS - TNC encode APRS - transmit RF) rather than a simple “repeater” (ie receive RF - transmit RF)?
Confirm: mobile RV/vehicle digipeater does not also need to be an “iGate” (ie have internet access) since the purpose is to rx/tx with a more distant APRS digipeater that has iGate / internet.
It looks as if they no longer offer the TNC2 for sale. Their site only has the very expensive TNC3. Looks like I will just go with a direct cable plug.
I see a lot of claims about APRS having SHTF, survival, etc. uses but after getting setup for APRS myself and really digging into it, I've found it to be very limited. Ironically, its actually better suited to city dwellers.
You're right about that. I have to run 50 watts with a directional antenna from home to get any APRS activity.
Have the F3DR. Freaking awesome! And reasonably simple. 1200 baud rate default.
Oh! KF0CBS If you're tracking..
That’s a great radio. I’ll likely upgrade to the F3DR at some point. Yaesu makes great stuff. I have two FT-60Rs.
Thanks for the video! I just started experimenting with APRS and I am trying to get ideas for all the things I am imagining right now. Your video helped. I did find that a standard 3 pole, male-male, audio cable between an old android phone and the speaker jack on the Baofeng allowed me to transmit without issue. Granted, there's no receive, but I was only trying to get my location on APRS.fi and I had all the pieces collecting dust in my house!
Cheers!
W7RLH
(Oops, audio cable I'm using is between old android phone and MIC jack on the Baofeng)
That's great. APRS is a lot of fun. I am still very new to ham radio and APRS, so I'm glad to hear some of the content was useful. 73, KT1RUN
BTECH sells a cable (APRS-K1) that allows you to interface your Android phone to pretty much any radio using a K1 speaker mic port. This would give you both RX and TX.
So I found your video while researching for a APRS presentation I was preparing. Great Job I am posting a link to the video on the club webpage. Also, you've probably bought a all-in-one solution by now. If not I will tell you i really like my TH-D74A. Unfortunately, Kenwood has elected to stop making them. My next move is to take one of my Baofengs and use the mobilinkd-2 to build a digi that will stay in the van connected to an ext. antenna.
Yes, I have a few all-in-one units. I have the D74A, 2x D710GA and an FT-100D. But, I actually run my FT-60R's with the Mobilinkd with APRSDroid and aprs.fi. Kenwood as the best-in-class implementation in my opinion.
I've written a plug-in for YAAC and integrated into a software platform that I have been writing called EmComm Tools that simplifies APRS usage.
Good luck with your digipeater. Check out my buddy Jason KM4ACK's channel. He has some great content on the Pi and that setup.
It may be time for an update video on APRS.
@@TheTechPrepper I'm really curious why you still choose to run the FT-60r +TNC + phone instead of using one of the radios with APRS integrated.? I've been mulling over that same option and trying to make a decision. Seems that the all-in-one would ultimately be much simpler and more reliable but also less versatile and more costly. Ideally, I would like to have both options but don't want to drop the extra cash for something that won't get used or isn't really necessary. So just curious why you make that choice given the option?
@@andrewbeal9997 Good question. There are many factors:
1. Cost of all-in-one radios. I had a Kenwood D74A which interfaces with a computer nicely but it is too fragile for my field use, so I sold it recently. I sold mine used to a friend for $400.00, but they are going upwards of $800 used now. I have two Kenwood D710GA's which I love, but I typically do not interface them with a phone or computer (although, I have interfaced them in the past with both Android and a computer). The serial interface kills me. I have a couple of videos on this where I connected the D710 to APRSDroid as well as Garmin Nuvi.
2. Most all-in-one solutions do not have a user accessible TNC. Yaesu radios do not support this, but my Kenwood radios do.
3. I am working on a software project called EmComm Tools and I am trying to standardize on one interface where I can connect any radio. This is why I lean towards the Mobilinkd TNC 2/3 (for packet) or a soundcard interface (for all digial needs).
My next video is going to be on this topic. Great question.
I used the same basic setup. Much as I've tried to love the Mobilinkd, I've had similar issues with it sporadically dropping out. It seems to happen a lot when there are other Bluetooth devices around, as if it's trying to pair with those other devices and gets confused. Set up on its own somewhere, it does a fine. I've given up using it on the road though, as every other car has Bluetooth these days. For those situations, I just use a Baofeng APRS cable in order to go directly from the radio to the cellphone. This setup works sufficiently well enough to where I can work the digipeater onboard the ISS.
You're the first person to agree with me that there are some design flaws. There is nothing better on the market for quick APRS tasks that works across multiple devices. I've used the Mobilinkd TNC 2 & 3 with every radio I have and on Android (APRSDroid), iOS (aprs.fi) and Pi/Linux (AX.25, YACC and Pat Winlink). These days I am using the DigiRig Mobile paired with a CF-20 convertible tablet.
@@TheTechPrepper Like I said, I really wanted to love it. It's a great concept. To me though, it's just a little too 'twitchy' for inclusion in my go bag. When it works, it works well, and maybe it's just a few software tweaks away from perfection. I hope the Mobilinkd folks are looking into it.
Awesome video, just thought i would say to save money you can use vox and connect via that audio interface cable directly to your phone which cuts out the TNC and works the same way with aprsdroid 👌 that will bring your overall cost down to like 30 bucks.
That's a great point and 100% possible. When I recorded this video, I was just getting started with ARPS and there was a lot of buzz around the Mobilinkd TNC. In hindsight, I feel that all the devices phone+TNC+HT or phone+HT are too complex for emergency communications. My goal is to save for an all-in-one APRS radio like the Kenwood TH-D74. It's pricy, but the right tool for the job. Nice and simple. Thanks for chiming in. That's a great budget option for those getting started.
@@TheTechPrepper yeah the all in ones are great 👍 a tad pricey tho which is why i stick to the simple cabe and phone combo. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with the all in one. Keep up the good work 😁
the FT 3D is awesome! does APRS with no issues. the current price is $379 at HRO.
An all-in-one would be great. I’m a Yaesu fanboy and have been looking at the FT-3DR, but the Kenwood TH-D74 looks intriguing since it has the user accessible TNC. They’re both great radios...decisions, decisions. How’s the battery life on the FT-3D when you’re beaconing?
I got picked up a FT3D on a Black Friday sale. It has GPS and APRS capability, which can come in handy while out hunting here in East Tennessee.
One problem I found with ARPS on an HT is that you're not going to get out at low altitudes. Went hunting on December 1, 2020 and pulled out the FT3D. Turned on the radio, GPS and set it to the APRS frequency. GPS was saying I was about 2300 ASL. A few seconds later, I was receiving APRS. Farthest message received was from a station almost 90 miles away.
Looking forward to trying it out again and see what contacts I can make. Pretty interesting on what can be done with APRS.
73, W4ISB.
That's a really nice radio. Glad to hear APRS is working for you in the field. I've had a 50% success rate with APRS in the field (on the trail). It works great on peaks in my area. Enjoy!
I need to get an adapter for it to hook it up to my base station antenna. Pick up quite a bit of traffic on 144.390, but can't get them on my HT antenna here at home.
With GPS and APRS capability, it's worth the money and can come in handy when I'm out in the back country, if an emergency were to happen. The more tools I have in the tool box, the better off I'll be. Just need a hotspot for Wires X and I'll be set.
@@pale_2111 It's good that you're looking at ARPS being another tool in your toolbox. When it works, you are golden. I've been in plenty of situations with the HT (5 watts) and the mobile (50 watts) where I'm in a dead zone. Good luck and be safe out there.
Your journey in and application of APRS is extremely similar to mine. Though I am intelligent and tech minded, my primary approach isn’t engineering. In other words, I’m mostly an “appliance operator.” So, I procured an FT1XDR (I wanted the older version for durability) and use a fill-in digi to relay my beacons. Congratulations. It seems you’re well on your way!
It's great to see that I am not the only one running into the same problem. I'll have to look into the FT1XDR as I am a big fan of durability. I have a few more videos on APRS coming out in the next week or two. Mostly on the Kenwood D710 and integration with mapping software (Xastir and APRSDroid). I hope you stick around. Welcome to the channel and thanks for sharing.
I also have the FT1XDR, mind sharing what you use for digi?
@@Littrell1966 I use a Kenwood D710GA. This is THE BEST out of the box option. The TNC has issues though, and I’m finally sending it in for repair soon. It is also possible to use a cheaper 2m VOX rig combined with a Raspberry Pi setup. I hope that helps. Good luck!
Watching some of your old content, just wanted to throw out the thought... I hope someone takes the mantle of aprsdroid development. I've seen that it's ceased development, and it's the absolute best we have for aprs on Android! Hopefully it could be taken over, because I'm sure starting from scratch would be a much larger project. With digirig adding a universal middleman to rig audio and PTT, I would absolutely love for someone to upgrade droidaprs to use PTT control so you could have a really easy aprs station up and running with even a 50 watt radio with very little hardware. Anyhow, thanks for the content!!
That would be nice. I tested the original serial support for AndFlmsg with the DigiRig and the VX-6R. It's great having that combo. I would love to see this supported by APRSDroid. I've been using APRSDroid with the Mobilinkd for a couple of years and prefer it over aprs.fi on the iPhone. The problem is that a large portion of developers never get the financial support they deserve to keep a project going. I'm still on the fence about releasing my EmComm Tools publicly.
Good job on the video! Like Jason said, the D74 gives you access to the TNC and the FT3 doesn’t. I’ve seen this before, why do people use Direwolf and Xastir at the same time?
Thank you. I am still very new to amateur radio, but my understanding is that Direwolf gives you a nice headless approach (no UI) for acting as a virtual TNC and providing everything you need to support a Digipeater and IGate. In my case, I used Direwolf only as the TNC, then used Xastir to provide the Digitpeater and IGate functionality. It was easier in terms of configuration to use Xastir to enable/disable these features. By using Xastir, I was also able to get the APRS mapping and messaging functionality. If I were to setup a permanent IGate and Digipeater, I would go with just straight Direwolf and run it headless on my Pi. Thanks for the comment and I hope this answers why I used the two pieces of software. 73
I have been researching all-in-one solutions for maintaining family contact as you are when in areas without cellular coverage. I've considered the FT-3DR but am also looking at Wimo PicoAPRS (DX Engineering sells it), Byonics MicroTrak AIO, and X1C5 Plus in conjunction with a mobile rig in my vehicle like you've done.
Thank you for the video.
Alex
KJ6QWN
Thanks for joining the conversation, Alex. If it wasn't for the price point, I would have gone for the Yaesu FT-3DR or Kenwood TH-D74A. I'll have to look into the Wimo PicoAPRS. 73
@@TheTechPrepper The price for the PicoAPRS isn't low. But, it is small and simple.
Way cheaper than buying the FT3D from Yaesu. I really appreciate the information here.
Thank you. This video was really tough to make, so I'm glad you found some of the information valuable. If I ever decide to get on Patreon, I may publish all the videos that I have filmed and edited but never released on RUclips. There are two other APRS videos that are similar, but I was not quite happy with them, so I never published them. This one needed more polish, but it was time to move on to other things. ;-)
HRCC review of the Yaseu HTs: ruclips.net/video/rZAwQbdq4Qw/видео.html the FT-2DR begins at 29:20
You can simplify things further with a direct connection using an "audio interface cable" and ditch the Mobilinkd. For like $24 there's the BTECH APRS-K1 cable that plugs directly between the HT radio and Android. If I understand correctly, all the Android is really doing is providing GPS and hosting the app, so if you turn on airplane mode first then the GPS the battery should last several days. If you use an old enough Android you can also swap spare charged batteries. Once you set the radio volume either use duct tape or some latex caulk around the knob base.
I have the APRS K1 cable, but the problem is that the Baofeng's have long TX tails and you miss a ton of packets (at least in my area). I switched to a custom a case to protect the switch and as well as the Yaesu VX-6. It has a threaded connector that will not back out. It's a good combo.
@@TheTechPrepper you can dial down or even turn the squelch tails OFF if you program them through Chirp, at least with the UV-5R based HT's. When you open Chirp and DL from radio there's a couple tabs on the left, one for "memories" which is open by default and another hiding below it "settings", hidden in yet another tab in there "advanced settings"\"squelch tail eliminate (HT to HT)" \"squelch tail eliminate (repeater)". Setting those to either 1 or off should do...
While you're on that settings tab, look above that and change the "Alarm mode:" to "site"! That turns off that bloody annoying alarm everyone "loves" so it doesn't play over the air, only locally on the HT.😁
One option is using LoRa which works in 915 mhz in the US and doesn’t require a license. But it requires building a device with an arduino board and the needed software.
You're absolutely right. I have LoRa on my list for next year. I'm waiting for someone to design a heavy-duty, IPX7 rated enclosure for the boards for it to be practical out here in the desert.
@@TheTechPrepper Nice. LoRa has so much potential for local communications.
Have you tried the APRS-K1 or APRS-K2 cables from Btech? For cables, they are a little pricey, but cheaper than the BT TNC. They function with Baofeng, Wouxun and Pufung HT's. I got the cable to work with both Android and IOS apps. In the setup you show, which is quite good, don't get me wrong, you have to keep track of and keep charged 3 batteries (phone, HT and TNC). With a cable you eliminate one battery.
Often in APRS videos I think viewers can easily be misled that an HT will work in mountainous wilderness where there is no cellphone service. If you are not in range if a digipeater or others using APRS, or there is a mountain blocking your signal or you are in a valley or there are other terrain obstacles like tall buildings (UHF is line of sight), then the radio and its accessories won't help.
I think what works are multiple, alternate systems for emergency comms. The ultimate alternative would be a SAT phone. But here cost is definitely a prohibitive factor. And SAT phone service can be interrupted by cloud cover, being in a deep valley/ravine or a building. Or the battery dies, or you run out of minutes.
I guess it is a no brainer, but before people set out on hikes or even a road trip to the next state, it is wise to find out what comms work the best - if at all - in the area you will be traveling, and take the appropriate equipment with them. 73!
I have not used the APRS-K1/K2 cables, but will likely try to this approach at some point to minimize the complexity and failure points of the Mobilink approach. To be honest, I'll likely make the investment and switch directly to the Kenwood TH-D74. As someone who spends a lot of time in the backcountry, the Mobilinkd is just too fragile. Amateur radio is a great hobby for tinkering and experimentation, but there are times where you need rock solid equipment (like a sat phone). I prefer simple and reliable. You're right about the reality of comms in the wild. You absolutely need to ensure that it will work in the areas where you plan to travel. APRS is great when you're within range to get into a digipeater. I've had to set up my own digipeater at my home base to make the HT's work behind my house in the back country. I'll be covering more on APRS now that I am getting into SOTA. I will attempt to spot myself at every SOTA peak using APRS2SOTA and will make sure to document whether or not APRS is viable option at those peaks given a certain reference station (i.e. Yaesu FT w/Diamond antenna running at 5 watts). Thanks for the all information. 73 de KT1RUN
@@TheTechPrepper The Kenwood is kinda pricey. Have you checked the Anytone AT-D878UV Plus? Has DMR, GPS, APRS (analog and digital). I don't have any experience with it, but there are many reviews about it, pretty much all very positive. I don't know how rugged it might be. One said he dropped his in minus 17C weather and it still worked. Takes a lickin', keeps on tickin'. I will be checking out your SOTA vids. I live on a small island (IOTA EU-072), so there are few peaks to activate. I mostly do HF on 20 and 40 meters (SSB and digital modes).
@@mumi009 We're the same style of operator. I only do 20 and 40 SSB and FT8. I'll take a look at the AT-D878UV Plus. Thanks for the suggestion. As a prepper, I like standardizing where possible. If the price is good and relatively rugged, I'll break my rule and give the Anytone a try. I only have so much head space for navigating the menu systems on different radios. I'm pretty much a Yaesu guy, but went with the Kenwood in the Jeep due to its best-in-class support for APRS. Hope to catch you on the air. If you're interested, check out my Instagram as I tend to post content daily there. instagram.com/thetechprepper/
@@TheTechPrepper I just read the Anytone supports only TX, ie beaconing. No RX. That would be a deal breaker for me. I agree with you about absorbing new menus. I just got Wouxun KG-UV9K for my satellite work, and I have to learn THAT menu system and handling. A bit different from the Baofengs I also own.
Really appreciate your efforts. I have a Kenwood TH-D7a from way back when. I do like it. Battery pack BT-11 with (4)lithium batteries and a eTtex GPS, connected by cable. Easily can run 8 hours. Starting from scratch, I like your setup. General run this setup in my 10 litre pack when riding my bicycle about town. Thank you de VE7QRZ
Its my pleasure. I’m just documenting my journey as I go. like your setup, too. I’m actually in the middle of new APRS project, but with more power. Stay tuned for a video on a new digital field station built around the Yaesu FT-857D. 73!
What if your phones gps isnt eorking in the backcountry?
I noticed your phone had 4 g during this video. You can get an offline mapping version that works perfect with your older phone without a sim too. VK1MIC
That’s a great point. I actually switched to a reasonably priced ($120), unlocked, rugged Android phone for ham radio-Ulefone Armor X7 for my ham radio field work. My goal was to have no data plan and leverage apps that have use offline maps and data. Here’s the video if you’re interested: ruclips.net/video/T200G_XpR6s/видео.html
Thank you! What about GMRS and MURS?
You're welcome. I only have experience with GMRS while working at the range, but I don't actually have a personal license. It's probably a good time to pay for a license. I do have all my radios programmed for the GMRS and FRS channels just in case. In fact, I produced a video early on about FRS and mention GMRS: ruclips.net/video/FyXdiA2Ghi8/видео.html Another video to add to my list of todos. Take it easy.
@@TheTechPrepper THANKS!
Tnx for video. Confused why some use the mobilinkd module and other just use a cable straight into phone?
No problem. In my opinion, the Mobilinkd is a bit more flexible as you can connect it to different radios (HTs, mobile stations and base stations) with different cables based on the radio. Then, you can connect to the Mobilinkd via Bluetooth from a phone or from a computer. It’s a bit more flexible. For example, I use the same Mobilinkd to connect to my Kenwood in the Jeep, my Yaesu FT-818ND in the shack or my my HTs (Baofeng UV-5R or Yaesu FT-60R). Great question!
@@TheTechPrepper makes sense now. Tnx for the response. Have been into ham radio since I was early teens - 30 years now and finally jumping into APRS. Appreciate the channel and the help 👍🏻
No problem. I love getting questions. Most of the videos on this channel are driven by questions I ask myself. How do I install a mobile radio? How do I send a text from a radio to a non ham? Glad to see getting back into the hobby. I’ll be on Temporarily Offline’s live stream tomorrow (11/30/20) at 7 PM Central. Feel free to watch and ask questions.
@@TheTechPrepper Tnx again. Just set up a digipeater and igate at house. Your video helped stoke the interest in aprs.
@@mateostyle No problem. Glad you're giving APRS another try. Personally, I think of it as a tool to have in your tool set. Depending on your location and gear APRS isn't always viable, but it's go to know. For example, I've been getting into doing Summits on the Air (SOTA) activations where I climb a peak and setup a temporary station. The best way to let people now where you are and what frequency your on is through something called spotting. I tried to spot myself using a mobile application called SOTAGoat while on the summit, but it failed due to lack of cell coverage. However, I was able to use APRS and send a message to ARPS2SOTA so spot myself. Don't give up on it! 73.
I have considered trying a Mobilinkd device with my HT. I was wondering if transmitting messages to someone who can't reply back on the same radio service is broadcasting or one way communications.
I "transmit" SMS text messages to my wife who is not a licensed ham using the APRS SMSGTE gateway service all the time to let her know that I have arrived safely on a summit. This is perfectly legal. By law she can't use a radio directly to send me an APRS message, but she can reply to the SMS text message and the SMSGTE service will proxy the message on her behalf to me. Now, if I were to use the SMSGTE service for a "commercial purpose" such as trying to text messages to a group of people to sell merchandise for the business, this would fall under broadcasting and is not permitted by the FCC. I hope this helps.
@@TheTechPrepper I must have missed some of the content in the video, so it would be similar to sending a Winlink email to a non-ham who can reply back to the ham. For what its worth, according to 97.113 b any type of broadcasting is prohibited, and one way communications not specifically provided in the rules may not be transmitted. Thanks for the clarification!
I don't understand why you need the TNC. Doesn't the Android application encode the message and send it directly to the radio via the cable from the 3.5mm audio jack?
If you use the Baofeng with an audio cable you must use VOX. The problem is that the Baofeng has a long tail when it releases the PTT, so you will likely miss receiving packets. In general, VOX does not work as well as something like the Mobilinkd TNC or DigiRig that can key the PTT without VOX.
This is why I have a box of old Android Phones! #UV5Rmy
BTW, I use the APRS Cable from Baofeng and I can skip that intermediate box and the bluetooth
Don't know which one is better :shrug:
@@temporarilyoffline Your setup is much simpler. No need for an extra device to carry , break or charge.
@@TheTechPrepper Easy for spares too! I'm playing with APRS myself right now.
Mobilinkd TNC 3 et al are completely sold out. Have you found another brand of TNC that might work? Thank you.
Not that I know of in this form factor. I am having some success with the DigiRig Mobile, but not many of the ham apps on Android support the serial USB OTG interface yet. It's also not technically a TNC. It's a modem that can trigger your PTT like the SignaLink.
I've been trying to figureout if you can use this system to send windlink messages. Any idea?
Yes, but it is a painful, multi step process. I tried it once as an experiment, but don't recommend it outside of scratching an itch of curiosity. Search for "APRSLink" in Google. I recorded the process in one of my videos, but can't remember which video. Using EMAIL-2 is lot easier.
things I would look into. First I think it would be better if your wife got her license. I know there are many other things you will work out. I am trying to set up that and winlink. Anything you can put out to the others of us that are working to do the same. 73. W4DES.
I appreciate the comment, Donald. Sadly, my wife has zero interest in getting licensed. Best of luck with Winlink. It can take a bit of practice and patience to get it working. I finally have my Winlink station running on a Raspberry Pi with a QRP radio. If you’re a Raspberry Pi user search for KM4ACK’s videos. That’s what I used. I hear that it may be easier under Windows, but I’ve never tried myself. There will be some new digital videos coming out on my channel. 73 de KT1RUN
@@TheTechPrepper I have destroyed a Pi4 2GB already! I got a HDMI screen and conected it to the PI. both powered from the same 12V power supply. I have a power supply, fan. It takes 8-16 V and gives the 5v the pi needs, and it has a shutdown button. I shut the Pi down and not the screen and it back feed power to the PI through the HDMI port to the PI. It just didn't have a sense of humor about that! I just got a Pi4 4GB but have not had time to screw it up yet. I watch all of KM4ACK's videos. I live in South Florida and the local ARES is very big on Winlink. The local EOC has a 2 M repeater, and a Winlink gateway. I think if anyone in this area has internet the EOC/911 would be the place! I have family in Texas, Colorado, South Carolina. All the cell towers have generators but that doesn't help if the tower comes down. Most of the time everyone is talking on what is still working. So I want to get the Winlink working so I can send them all emails that I am still here after a storm. I have never understood why women don't get into ham radio more. They love to talk! This gives them another way to talk, and have more people hear them talk, more people to talk to! Maybe it is good that more women are hot hams, we would need twice as many repeaters! LOL! 73 de W4DES
so...emergency comms just require the internet? Wouldn't I just send an email?
How about sending aprs using nvis antenna? Not exactly mobile but longer distance emergency comms?
No internet required to do this. We just had a full power outage yesterday and I sent email across the country without internet access just over RF. I’m producing a video now to clear this topic up. Great question. I’ve heard that it is possible to do APRS over HF. This is on my list of todos as well. I appreciate the questions. Keep them coming!
Through JS8CALL, you can use APRSIS to send email, location, and anything available to APRS using HF. So if you encounter a situation that's regional yiu can even use APRS trought gateways in a neighboring state/country
@@TheTechPrepper Winlink is another option for sending emails via HF, that seems to be pretty popular. I haven't used it yet myself though, as I'm currently studying for General.
@@USAFJUNKIE You’re absolutely, right. Good timing. My last video was on Winlink. Give it a shot when you get your upgrade ticket. Good luck!
Isn't it Fully functional without the mobilinkd. Just HT and APRSdroid
There are cables out there that can illuminate the need for the KISS TNC, but I only have experience with the Mobilinkd.
How to use mobile radio into APRS where there is no cell signal
APRS works with out a cell. It works over RF.
@@TheTechPrepper The TNC 2 has now been replaced with the version 3, however, they are now hard to find. Mobilinkd has the TNC 3 on backorder until July 2022 at this time.
Do you need a license to only receive APRS?
For amateur radio, you only need a license if you transmit. For APRS, this will be challenging as it is typically controlled by software that will try to transmit on your behalf (i.e. beacon) and requires that you enter a call sign as part of the setup which you will not have. in short, I would NOT attempt APRS without a license. Great question. The entry-level Technician license is pretty simple. Go for your license. ;-)
Does the phone require an phone plan and phone number or can you just buy an adroid and use that?
It does not require a phone plan. This is just an unlocked, no plan, Ulefone Armor X7.
I’m tempted to get into aprs but it’s all internet based so functionality when the grid goes down is…👎🏻
You can use APRS without the internet. The Internet Gateways just provide some extra capabilities when the grid is up...which is most of the time.
hmmm. doesnt work anymore
Thanks for the video. Id encourage your wife to get a ham license. Or gmrs ,no test one license for your whole family
too bad it doesnt work anymore
Explain?
@14:55 thoughts on Kenwood TH-D74A
Ham Radio in Action has the TH-D74A and has made some APRS related videos about it:
Compared to UV-5R - ruclips.net/video/XwRpN5T7NTU/видео.html
Sending SMS - ruclips.net/video/T_8ehBKQZLo/видео.html
Sending Email - ruclips.net/video/xjoGl_KuKyE/видео.html
I’m in the same boat as you... just ordered the MobilinkD and want to get this text messaging set up. Need to get some Android phones still.
According to the ATAS-25 manual, it suggests deploying it a few inches off the ground. Since I only deployed the VHF/UHF elements, it probably would perform better on the roof... I just need a mounting kit and some dicor. Good catch!
Thanks for the pointers. Im still ramping up on APRS, so these will be very helpful. Enjoy your Mobilinkd.
I don't think u need the tnc?...aprsdroid should handle it
I am not sure about that. I recall that you can use a custom audio interface cable with the aprs.fi app and skip the TNC all together. It could be the case that APRSDroid supports this as well.
@@TheTechPrepper I would like to see someone try APRS on the 20m band with nvis. A prepper group could use their own mapping and have more secure comms on a frequency they predetermined
@@opticoax747 NVIS typically works from 2-8MHz, so 40m is the lowest HF band where that could work...at least according to the literature. I'll certainly try this out. Also, this will not be secure. Everything will be sent clear over the air.