WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Is VK6KCH still Bunbury ? if it can be configured to talk to KSB-3 it would have a full time net gateway.

Cheers

VK6ZMS wrote:Is VK6KCH still Bunbury ? if it can be configured to talk to KSB-3 it would have a full time net gateway.

Cheers

Yes it is still in Bunbury. Well VK6KCH-3 is still in Bunbury. Don't know if VK6KCH is. I don't think it is set up as a digipeater as I have not been able to use it as a digi. It signs with a beacon message of "Testing in Perth"

Probably would be useful to have access to a gateway down here as recently not only have I seen a few Perth APRS mobiles in the area, but some eastern states visitors are around or have been around recently also.

VK6ADF wrote: When I got my MT-AIO during the week, I set UI-View to send received data on 145.175 to the net which is why VK6KCH-3 appears now. It has been going for a while it seems but invisible. My UI-View to the net is only running occassionally when I want to try something out and not going to be a long term thing.

Thanks Phil. I remember there was chat at a VHF Group meeting a few years ago about a digi in Bunbury, but didn't realise it had been on air. It looks as though the config needs some adjustment as it should talk to VK6KSB-3.

I also have a MT-AIO. To get the extra distance down here with the hills & trees I run it into a 25w amp and a high gain antenna, which gives pretty pleasing results. With 5w out of the MT-AIO and a 1/4 wave antenna results were fairly average. I have also been experimenting recently with APRS of HF (30m) also with good results.

Like most things AR, if you want to get interest in APRS in the area it needs a push along. We have got three down this way doing things on APRS, a few more interested or gathering parts and visitors through the area.

73's

VK6LD.

Hi There

I am about to get a 208H and i am trying to figure out what "gear" i need to get my 208H APRS ready (i realise i cant talk when APRS is running) - just want to use it when driving to/from work or keep an eye on my car when not near it ....

What do i need to get/do to get the 208H operational for APRS ??

Thanks for your help

tis all new to me - and none of my friends know much about APRS....

Cheers

orangepeel wrote:What do i need to get/do to get the 208H operational for APRS ??

Cheers

Instead of tying up the 208H unnecessarily, why not get yourself one of these (See: http://www.bigredbee.com/blgps_2mhp.htm).

They are a dedicated unit (TX & GPS in one), run all the time depending on wiring, are a set-and-forget design plus you still have your 208H available for listening too - scanner or ham band.

A few people are now using them around Perth, an OZ for that matter including myself.

73's, Duncan - VK6GHZ

orangepeel wrote:am about to get a 208H and i am trying to figure out what "gear" i need to get my 208H APRS ready (i realise i cant talk when APRS is running) - just want to use it when driving to/from work or keep an eye on my car when not near it ....

What do i need to get/do to get the 208H operational for APRS ??

Thanks for your help

tis all new to me - and none of my friends know much about APRS....

Hello Orange Peel,

You'll need to get an APRS 'modem' and GPS receiver to get operational on APRS with your 208H.

Modems to take a look at include the Byonics TinyTrak3 & TinyTrak4 (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/) and the OpenTracker (http://www.argentdata.com/products/otplus.html). You'll be looking at around $50-$100 depending on the unit.

GPS receivers are also available from both Byonics & ArgentData. I have the Byonics GPS2 (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/gps.php) and it does OK. Cost is around $60 - $100. If you have an old Garmin or similar handheld GPS that is surplus, you'll just need a cable and can use that as well.

Otherwise as VK6GHZ suggested, there are all-in-one units such as the Big Red Bee and Byonics MT-AIO. Expect to pay around $300 for one of these.

For more info see: http://www.hamradio.org.au/site/?page_id=127

73's

VK6LD.

I've run the OpenTracker Plus into my IC208H just because and works fine. You need the 6 pin PS2 style plug for the 208 and the 9 pin D connector for the OpenTracker and wiring between the two. I can give you more details if you want them but I agree with Duncan and Rob... not worth tying up a 208. You'll need to remember to switch frequencies all the time. If you forget, you'll be sending packets over whatever repeater you last had it on.
My setup is the OpenTracker (Got it for $30) a Puxing PX777 handheld (Got it for $82) a Garmin GPS16 (Got it for $45 s/h) and just switching over to a Nagoya RL-770R antenna (Got it for $29) I prefer that over an all-in-one solution because I can swap bits around as needed. I have an FT-1802 with suitable leads if I need more power.
I suppose another solution would be to sell the IC208 and replace it with a Kenwood TM-D710A (or D700 if you can find one). Both have APRS built in.. just plug in a GPS receiver. Bonus.. the Kenwoods let you see who else is on, direction and range etc.

Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Doug.. I hope you are in an aircraft there

He fitted a Flux Capacitor to the Falcon.

VK6ZMS wrote:He fitted a Flux Capacitor to the Falcon.

It flies??

vk6hgr wrote:

VK6ZMS wrote:He fitted a Flux Capacitor to the Falcon.

It flies??

the Millenium Falcon.
(ok, i'm a little late for Star Wars day!)

robbage wrote:Doug.. I hope you are in an aircraft there

Muahahahahahaha

Spot on. Cessna 172 from Caloundra to Caboolture, beaconing merrily away...

I have gone with a slightly higher tech solution, although I am still ironing out the bugs

GPS on my phone with status updates every 30 seconds whilst moving >35km/h.
Check out the link at the top of the page to see a history of my tracks for the day

http://bonez.awardspace.us/

Any feedback would be appreciated. I literally only just started playing with it a couple of hours ago and have been fiddling with Google maps API's and all sorts of php scripts etc to get it working

Bonez wrote:Any feedback would be appreciated. I literally only just started playing with it a couple of hours ago and have been fiddling with Google maps API's and all sorts of php scripts etc to get it working

Looks good! Nice work