APRS Tracker Craig LaBarge, WB3GCK |
Our local ARES-RACES group
started an intiative to promote the use of APRS in our activities.
Several programs on the topic were conducted at our meetings and
several of our members built portable trackers and put them to use.
While most members put together slick, compact, little units, I
took my design in a different direction. I wanted a tracker that
had the following features:
I was fortunate in that the boater's box is exactly the right width to accomodate a 7 A-H gel cell battery. To keep the battery in place, I made two brackets from some 3/4-inch aluminum angle stock. A diagram of how everything goes together is shown below: Although you can't see it in the
accompanying pictures, I also made some modifications so that the GPS
receiver can be mount inside the box, under the lid. With the
internal batter and a whip antenna attached, the tracker can be
completely self-contained.
© 2006 Craig A. LaBarge |
Tracker Box. The GPS receiver is on the left and the external power cable is on the right. Another exterior view. This view shows the RF connector (with a BNC adapter
installed), the power switch and the Powerpole connector for external
power. A view of the wiring under the lid of the box. |