SWARGS Projects

Here is a couple of the projects that the SWARGS group has worked on:

SWARGS ASU: This is the SWARGS Automatic Shutdown Unit, used to automatically shutdown a TNC when an APRS tracked vehicle is not running.  This saves power and bandwidth.  The device was designed by Shawn, VE7IPX and built as a group project.  The ASU was intended to eliminate extensive packets from vehicles equipped with a KPC style tracker.  The problem was that KPC Trackers would send out a multitude of APRS packets regardless of whether the vehicle was stationary or not.  The ASU allows the KPC to send out about 20 seconds worth of packets after the vehicle is turned off, it then removes power to the KPC and/or radio.  The 20 seconds allow a final rest position to be transmitted to the APRS network.