GPS/APRS

Prepared by N7MEA
Dennis W. Mills dmills@csrnet.org

javAPRS by W7OZE Philip Reid in Vancouver has live data from OR/WA.
http://the.hams.net/aprs/

KPC3+ by Kantronics is GPS ready and used by many CCARC club members. The W7AIA Packet Station employs this TNC.
Offering the most flexible GPS operations available in a TNC, the KPC-3 Plus allows users to configure and make use of GPS data exactly the way they like. The APRS-compatible KPC-3 Plus can connect to GPS receivers with a NMEA-0183 interface and provides outstanding GPS features. With the multiple string parsing capabilities, users select as many as 4 of the GPS unit's NMEA data strings. Once the data strings are selected, users can specify which of the 4 buffers should be transmitted and can specify the beacon start time as well as the amount of time between beacons for each of the buffers. This allows multiple stations to easily report without data collision. And since the KPC-3 Plus's clock is regularly updated by the satellite-determined GPS clock, the transmission times and intervals are always accurate.

In addition, users can set up a tracking buffer to store GPS data for later retrieval. This buffer is accessible via the KPC-3 Plus's mailbox. The sysop may also reconfigure the GPS unit remotely by connecting to the KPC-3 Plus and simply changing the parameters. KPC-3 Plus (with 128K RAM) --- $129.95 at HRO

Note: The KPC-3 Plus requires a custom-made cable: Hardware Serial Port (HSP) adaptor to permit a single-ported laptop computer to access the TNC and the GPS. The cable has two diodes to permit automatic switching between the tnc and the gps. Note: new firmware 8.3 has added a second serial port!  Either update the firmware, or buy this HSP cable.
Hardware Single Port (HSP) Connectors Available from Kantronics for ($29.95 + sh)

Kantronics Dual-Mode Tracker for APRS™ The Kantronics KPC-3 Plus (only), as well as the new KAM-98, with version 8.3 software, implements a software "second serial port", for monitoring a GPS or other serial telemetry device. This file is Copyright 1998 by Jeff Brenton KA9VNV. See http://www.dididahdahdidit.com/plustracker.htm for additional information.

Power/Data Cable for GPS ($25.00) Blue Hills
You need this cable for your Tracker to connect the GPS, TNC, and your laptop computer.

Radio Shack HTX-242 or ICOM 2100H 45 Watt mobile

• javAPRS - NW USA Live from the Northwest--see aprs activity
• KD4RD APRS Page Probably the best resource on APRS
• MIM/MIC-Encoder The MIC encoder hooks to your standard voice radio, and reports your position as a data burst at the end of your transmission. This data burst can be read by any station listening to you, or if the repeater is properly equipped, the data will be muted, and repeated to the standard APRS frequency (usually 144.39Mhz) unbeknownest to the normal voice repeater users. If implemented on a nationwide level, this would allow all APRS users in the country to see all mobile aprs equiped cars.
• Mic-Encoder The MIC-E (Mic Encoder) installs between your radio mic and radio and allows your GPS unit to transmit APRS AX.25 frames at designated intervals without needing a TNC! Very useful in many settings.

Mic-E update Bob Bruninga WB4APR (24 mins)

• The Global Positioning System (GPS) Peter H. Dana . Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin
  http://wwwhost.cc.utexas.edu/ftp/pub/grg/gcraft/notes/gps/gps.html
• Mobile/Wireless SIG Report: Mobile Opportunities Software Forum . Mobile/Wireless SIG . Where in the World Is a Major Opportunity? . by Robert Schuh, Synergraphics . Mobile developers followed Bill Dussell to 37.4149 North, l22. 10238 West, aka Room H-1, Cubberley Community Center, Palo
  http://www.commerce.net/SoftwareForum/Mobile.html
• Intro to GPS Applications This document is an introdution to the Global Positioning System and it's uses. . WARNING! . This is an unfinished draft document. Some information is missing or wrong. . Index . Introduction to GPS . Call for Applications...
  http://www.einet.net/editors/john-beadles/introgps.htm
• GPS is found at the Department of Geography, The University of Texas at Austin. . The GPS Information Center, run by the US Coast Guard, is the official GPS information source for civilians. Constellation status is on a tape loop a t (703) 313-5907.
  http://www.zilker.net/~hal/geoscience/gps.html
• Global Positioning System Overview a good overview by University of Texas.
  http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/gps/gps.html
• Mark's CAP Links -GPS I'm glad there are people like Mark to find all these links!
  http://www.hom.net/~mark/gps.html
• GPS Related Sites Between the site and above and here, I can't imagine you need more.http://www.gislinx.com/GISLinx/gps.htm
• Introduction to GPS Applications This document by John Beadles is an introdution to the NAVSTAR and GLONASS Global Positioning Systems
  http://galaxy.einet.net/editors/john-beadles/introgps.htm
• The DUT/SSR&T GPS Page The GPS Page . This page is experimental! . The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of 24 satellites which is used for navigation and precise geode tic position measurements. The GPS satellites are operated by the United States
  http://dutlru8.lr.tudelft.nl/gpsdir/gps.html
• Global Positioning Finds Applications in Geosciences Research Randolph Ware University Navstar Consortium, Boulder CO 80307-3000 Steven Businger University of Hawaii, Honolulu HI 96822 . Continuous global positioning satellite tra cking networks are being established by a variety of national and ...
  http://www.unavco.ucar.edu/articles/eos3_1.html
• The GPS/MET Program The GPS/MET Experiment . The Mission: . The GPS/MET experiment is a $3 million proof-of-concept program, which is jointly sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Nationa l Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NO AA), ...
  http://pocc.gpsmet.ucar.edu/
• Dr. James Sennott by Linda Browning . Remember the Knight Rider television series of the 1980's? The good guy's sleek black Trans Am could map out the quickest route to the bad guys, and thousands of viewers wished their car could do the same--tell them how to ...
  http://bradley.bradley.edu/~llb/sennott.html
• Navigational System for the Visually Impaired NVI from the Beginning . The first thing which had to be accomplished was understanding the GPS system, and in particular how the GPS rec eiver works. After obtaining a sound basis of the GPS system, an electronic map of the streets of Carleton ...
  http://www.doe.carleton.ca/~lapierre/nvi/nvi5.html
• Advanced Technology - GPS Activities Advanced Technology Branch - GPS Activities * IGS Regional GPS Data Center * Software * KARS * mgps * Projects * Ice Velocity at the South Pole * Ecosystem Health and Land Loss in the Chesapeake Bay * Monitoring Atmospheric Water ...
  http://www.grdl.noaa.gov/GPS/GPS.html
• Automatic Packet Reporting System An excellent overview of APRS. APRS is a shareware program that takes advantage of the availibility of innexpensive GPS receivers to display the locations of moving stations on your PC. By connecting your PC computer to any radio network via an innexpensive ($130) radio data modem, then all stations can see the movements of all other stations.
  http://www.cave.org/aprs/aprswhat.html
• APRS Frequently Asked Questions Well written answers to frequently asked APRS questions.
  http://www.kcaprs.org/aprsfaq.htm
• The APRS Manual On Line! This is the official manual for the APRS software.
  http://www.kcaprs.org/aprsread.htm
• MacAPRS™ & WinAPRS™ Documentation Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, developed a system for tracking objects using Packet Radio. His system uses unconnected packets (UI frames) for transmitting the position and other information about each station or object. He has been working on this system since 1984. In 1992 Bob presented a paper at the ARRL Computer Networking Conference that introduced the DOS program called APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System). APRS is a program that receives these packets and displays the objects on a map on your computer screen. Since then, APRS has become quite popular in Packet Radio and is gaining new users daily.
  http://aprs.rutgers.edu/WAPRSdoc.htm
• Waypoint+ Interfaces a Garmin GPS to a Win95/NT PC. the purpose of Waypoint+ is to be able to upload and download Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints from a Garmin* GPS to a PC, simplifying the processes of creating and editing these data. Saved data files can be in ASCII format with comma delimited fields and can be easily edited using Windows Notepad or Wordpad, taking advantage of their Cut and Paste capability.
  http://www.k8sn.org/~waypoint+/
• Automatic Position Reporting System Download software for Windows and Macintosh.
• APRS +SA Home Page Automatic Packet Reporting System using Street Atlas USA v5.0 APRS +SA does most of the functions of the original APRS(tm) with a big difference: The maps it uses to plot the locations are Street Atlas 5.0 Maps. This allows great precision in locating objects and stations. (shareware $59)
  http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/APRSPLUS
• Street Atlas 5.0 Street Atlas USA 5.0 is a seamless map of the entire country – big cities, small towns and wilderness America. It offers unsurpassed detail, street address search power, door-to-door routing and the tools you need to create customized maps. ($44.95 Computer City)
  http://www.delorme.com/StreetAtlasUSA/
• GPS Map Kit GPS MapKit uses map data you supply and calibrates it with your GPS receiver. Now you can pinpoint your location on any map and track your location. To use your scanned map, identify three positions to register their latitude/longitude coordinates. Then initialize your GPS device as usual. Your location appears on the map, and your screen will move automatically as you travel. GPS MapKit works with Tripmate, DeLorme's GPS receiver, or any other DeLorme-recommended GPS device with NMEA output. The GPS MapKit also features zoom and draw tools. For Windows 95/NT 4.0.
  http://mapstore.delorme.com/producttemplate.cfm?ID=17000&List=Computer%5FMapping
• APRS Homepage APRS is a program developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, to track mobile stations equipped with GPS navigation systems and to link those stations by radio.
  http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs.html
• NMEA-0183 and GPS Information This site is maintained by Peter Bennett VE7CEI and includes great links to just about everything you will need.
  ftp://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/index.html
• Garmin Protocol Information and Data Transfer Programs
  http://www.csrnet.org/N7MEA/garmin.html
• Northwest APRS Dave Dobbins, K7GPS has a great informative website.
  http://Othello.localaccess.com/nwaprs/
• NWAPRS on the Internet K7GPS provides instructions for viewing APRS on the Internet.
  http://Othello.localaccess.com/nwaprs/internet.htm
• NWAPRS Digipeater Map Dave Dobbins provides a good map to show the digis.
  http://Othello.localaccess.com/nwaprs/digimap.htm
• APRS Information a very comprehensive site by NWAPRS.
  http://Othello.localaccess.com/nwaprs/aprsinfo.htm#currentversion
• APRS:Automatic Position Reporting System live APRS from Florida via javaAPRS. What you are looking at here is a number of position reports from amateur radio operators in South Florida. At times you may see vehicles, planes, or boats moving around town. These vehicles obtain their location using the satellite system known as GPS, and transmit that position for others to follow.
  http://www.aprs.net/
• WB8TIF's APRS Web Page
  http://www.concentric.net/~Wb8tif/
• Equipment & Software for GPS-APRS N7MEA details the equipment and software needed to establish APRS on a packet station. The goal is to have transponders available for each ARES team.
• Automatic Packet Reporting System a good overview of APRS.
  http://www.cave.holowww.com/aprs/aprswhat.html
• Automatic Position Reporting System Download DOS, Windows, and Mac versions. http://www.cave.org/aprs/
• GPS: Global Positioning System good overview by Tech Notes.
  http://www.tech.net/technotes/gps/
• APRS +SA Home Page Automatic Packet Reporting System using Street Atlas USA v4.0 This is the best program for APRS and Packet Radio applications for ARES/RACES, in my opinion. (link is often busy!)
  http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/APRSPLUS
• LIDS for APRS The Live Internet Data Service or LIDS is a ongoing project to enable different types of real-time data to be made available over the Internet using data collection servers. With your browser, you can view APRS stations in San Francisco Bay Area! It takes some time to load running a JavAPRS applet.
  http://sboyle.slip.netcom.com/LIDSAPRS.html
• javAPRS and Live Atlanta TNC data Thanks to Steve Dimse, javAPRS (a Java applet) can now connect to live data from a TNC, and show that data coming off the APRS LAN to users on the Internet.
  http://www.ne1h.radio.org/aprs/
• javAPRS by K4HG Steve is the author of javAPRS that puts APRS on the Internet.
  http://www.aprs.net/javAPRS.html
• javAPRS by W7OZE Philip Reid in Vancouver has live data from OR/WA.
  http://the.hams.net/aprs/
• APRS/ HAM RADIO Standard Connectors By Knut, N1QKP. Great visuals on constructing connectors.
  http://www.cookiearrangements.com/AmateurRadio/std-cnx.htm
• Grant Equipment for APRS Project

" GPS Made Easy" is the best book to explain GPS. Now just click on the icon and you can order the book online through N7MEA's Online Bookstore.
http://www.csrnet.org/N7MEA/bookstore.html

Gps for Everyone : How the Global Positioning System Can Work for You
by L. Casey Larijani
List: $24.95
This is the first book I bought from the Online Bookstore. It came in two days! It has received great reviews and should be on every ham's bookshelf. Click on the icon and you can order the book online through N7MEA's Online Bookstore.
http://www.csrnet.org/N7MEA/bookstore.html

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