Equipment Needed for a
GPS/APRS Tracker & Portable Packet
Dennis W. Mills, N7MEA
1. TNC for Packet Radio
and Sending NMEA Data
The
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) --- $149.95 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.
Hardware
Serial Port (HSP) Connectors
Kantronics
-or you may want to
consider-
PicoPacket TNC with a 2nd serial port, 128K RAM, DCD --- $189.00
This TNC is not sold at HRO, but can be mailordered
through Sound Radio in Lake Stevens, WA
The PicoPacket model with the second serial port option is the
ideal TNC for use with a handheld GPS receiver, handheld radio,
and laptop (or smaller) computer for APRS. activity. One serial
port for the computer, a second one for the GPS.
If you get the battery pack model, each unit has its own
power. Neat and convenient.
The Second Serial Port option also provides a real-time clock
and 128k RAM.
Full support for APRS (the Automatic Position
Reporting System) built-in. Works with APRS through either the
standard single serial port or the optional second serial port.
The PicoPacket and APRS work together so that when the
Pico with a GPS receiver (internal or external) is controlled by
APRS it sends no location beacons except as commanded by APRS.
When the APRS computer is disconnected, the PicoPacket
automatically becomes a 'Tracker' sending out location beacons at
specified intervals.
Because this TNC has a 2nd serial
port, there is no need for a HSP cable.
http://www.soundradio.com/paccomm.html
-or this combination has
it all--a TNC and GPS Receiver-
- A second RS-232 serial port for the PicoPacket allows
both a GPS and computer to be attached to the PicoPacket
at the same time. Eliminates the need for a hardware port
switch adapter.
- The PicoPacket with the internal GPS receiver is
completely self contained in a package under 2.5 x 2.5 x
3.25 inches. Just connect to a handheld radio and you
have a complete tracking unit with a full-time serial
port to connect to your notebook PC.
- The mag-mount GPS antenna has a footprint less than two
inches in diameter, yet it tracks GPS satellites
noticeably better than handheld GPS units.
- The GPS model has a TRIMBLE SVee6-CM3 GPS receiver fitted
directly into the PicoPacket. It uses a support/carrier
board to perform the functions of physically supporting
the GPS receiver, voltage regulation, and backup battery
for the GPS.
- The PicoPacket with internal GPS receiver includes the
second serial port option features, but the second serial
port is dedicated to the GPS receiver and is not
accessible for other purposes.
$549; $599 with Battery Pack
2. A GPS Receiver (external antenna
models recommended)
The
Garmin II+ is a very powerful
twelve channel parallel receiver for quick satellite acquisition
and enhanced reception. This compact GPS features two-way screen
display for vertical or horizontal orientation. It features an
adaptable navigation page with either compass or highway steering
guidance, and user-selectable fields. User-selectable waypoint
symbols enhance map display information. The TactBack feature
lets you quickly navigate your track log back home without
manually storing waypoints. The Garmin II+ GPS works very well
with TNC's like the KPC3+ or the PicoPacket. This model has an
external antenna connection that is useful for keeping the
Tracker in a trunk. GPS satellites need to see the antenna to
work! This unit sells for $249 at West Marine in
Delta Park-Portland, Oregon or HRO
http://www.garmin.com/db?MItab=garmin&MIval=splash
3. Two Meter VHF Transceiver
| ICOM IC-2100 ( $269.95) |
ICOM IC-2000H ($259.00) |
We recommend a 50 watt mobile to serve the dual
purpose of a field-based radio that can use full power if needed
for voice communications. HRO
MFJ-8621
Packet Only™ Transceiver $119.95
5 watts output and it's ready to operate on 145.01 MHz with
pre-installed crystals. MFJ's new Packet Only™ radio is a 2
Meter FM data transceiver built exclusively for high performance
packet. APRS MFJ-8621 is ready-to-use as a dedicated Automatic
Packet Reporting System transceiver. We've done all the work!
Transmit/Receive crystals pre-installed for 145.79 MHz.
Transmitter and Receiver have been precisely aligned. Order
MFJ-8621X1, $139.95. If your just want a tracker, then this is
probably the best radio for you.
4.
MFJ TNC/MIC Switch KAM/KPC3VHF The switch will permit
you to switch the mobile radio between packet (APRS data
transmitted) and voice. ($39.95 HRO)
5. Software
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/
When combined with APRS software, the Street
Atlas USA 5.0 will give you extremely accurate maps wherever you
are.
Precision
Mapping Streets 3.0 When combined with WinAPRS
software, PM 3.0 will give you extremely accurate maps wherever
you are. CD-ROM for $50. This is really a slick
combination!
APRS
Software Download Windows software from the the TAPR
ftp site. The software must be registered for a modest fee.
ftp://ftp.tapr.org/tapr/SIG/aprssig/files/winstuff/
6. Battery Box I recommend the Action
Products Power Caddy Battery Box that can be
mail-ordered through Cabela's ($50.44
delivered). It will hold an 85 amp hour deep-cycle or marine
battery and all the ham equipment! It comes with a plastic
carrying handle, galvanized catches, strickes, hinge pins and
terminal connections, battery charge indicator gauge, 2 fused
accessory jack plug ins, 30 amp DC fuse, and external brass
connector lugs. Measures: 16"L x 8.25W x 12.5H (CJ-01-0772
$44.95 http:www.cabelas.com)
7. Magmount 2 Meter Antenna ($14.95 MFJ) HRO
8. Garmin External GPS Magmount Antenna ($89.95) HRO
9. MFJ - MIC/TNC Switch ($39.95 HRO) HRO
10. Power/Data Cable for GPS ($39.95) HRO
11. Cable and Conectors (est. $15)
12. Laptop Computer (requires CD ROM drive for Street
Atlas 5.0)
My dream laptop by Everex. The StepNoteTM
SK combines a brilliant 13.3" screen fed by a 128
bit PCI graphic VGA accelerator for blazing graphics
performance. This combined with high end audio and a twenty
speed CD-ROM harness the power of the 233MHz Intel
PentiumŪ Processor with MMXTM
Technology to create an on-the-road, off-the-road, warrior you
can depend on. Wrapped up in a package that weighs under six
and a half pounds.
homepage
Dr. Dennis W. Mills, N7MEA
1614 NW 106th Street
Vancouver WA 98685-5059
360/574-1309
[email protected]