LIVINGSTON COUNTY
AMATEUR RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE CORPS

(Revised 2/9/2000) (Revised 6/12/2003)
Tim Conroy, Digital Operations AEC

WinAPRS
A Messaging and Weather Related Warning Software

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE WINAPRS

These instructions assume that the user is familiar with Windows 95, especially the use of a mouse, opening and closing programs, and re-sizing windows. If you are unfamiliar with Windows please see the net control officer for assistance.

Please note: do NOT turn off the TNC's, TNC radios, or power supplies.
Radios used for voice communications should be returned to their SkyWarn frequencies and turned off.
Please, please Exit WinAprs before shutting down console C !!!

All packet software will be automatically loaded when the computers are turned on.

On Computer Console C:

TCP Server Status:

• On the window in front, labeled on the top blue bar it will read "TCP Server Status". At the bottom (just above the scroll bar) you will notice, in black, many configuration commands as they are sent to the TNC. If you can't see the bottom scroll bar drag the window up by placing the mouse pointer on the top blue bar where it reads "TCP Server Status", holding the left mouse button down while moving the mouse pointer to a higher position. When the configuration is complete you'll notice in blue, call signs and other data as they are sent and received by the TNC.
• While watching this same bottom line press function 2 (F2) and you will notice a line that begins with the following: N8EOC>K1DE-5, WIDE, WIDE: ...immediately following will be: N8EOC>K1DE-5*, WIDE, WIDE which means the software, radio, and TNC are working correctly. You may need to do this two or three times. Or double-click the red EOC icon that looks like a little house with the call sign N8EOC next to it. You will see a list of calls and data as referred to above. If everything is working okay you will see an asterisk on some of the lines following the K1DE-5 call sign. Now you may minimize the "TCP Server Status" window by clicking the minus sign on the upper right corner of the "TCP Server Status" window.

WINAPRS ON OTHER COMPUTER CONSOLES:

WinAPRS will load automatically when the other consoles are turned on. is up and running on computer console C, WinAPRS may be used on any other console by opening WinAPRS on that console. None of the previous steps are needed. If console A and/or B were turned on prior to turning on console C you may wait a minute or two and it will start working, or close and then re-open WinAPRS on console A and/or B.

ALL COMPUTER CONSOLES:

The following applies to all consoles except as noted. The main difference between the consoles, is console A uses N8EOC-4, console B uses N8EOC-6, and console C uses N8EOC as their call signs.

HELP WINDOW:

At any time in the program you can press the F-1 key and get the help window. This is in Messages.

WEATHER ALERTS:

When the amateur radio operators at the National Weather Service issue weather alerts the affected counties will change color on the white Michigan map. If you are uncertain how to interpret the county color or if you are color blind like I am, you may click Lists on the top menu bar, then Message List, scroll down to the end or near the end of the list, and read the National Weather Service bulletins.
 

MAP MOVEMENT:

You can click on a location in the map and then cause it to zoom-in or zoom-out. Use page-up and page-down or the '+' and '-' keys. Once you have zoomed in on a map, you can use left, right, up, and down arrows to move around within the map. It does NOT automatically switch to another map when you reach the edge of the current map.

Another way to zoom in is to outline an area on the map by holding the right mouse button down while you are outlining.

MESSAGES:

Generally, messages should only be sent from console C.

To send a message;

To send a message click Lists, on the top menu bar, then click New Message, type in the call sign in the To: box and the message in the message box, and click Ok. APRS users can send one line messages to other APRS users. These messages are then acknowledged from the other station. The messages can be viewed in the MESSAGE LIST by clicking Lists on the Menu bar, and then click Message List.

Message Received;

Messages to you are red; messages from you start out blue and turn green when they are automatically acknowledged by the receiving station.

Re-queued Messages;

Messages can be re-queued by CLEARING them in the MESSAGE window.

Canceling Messages; They can also be canceled by deleting them.

Deleting Messages;

To DELETE a message, select it and hit DELETE or BACKSPACE.

E-MAIL OPERATIONS:

E-mail messages can only be sent from console C. Before attempting to send E-mail please read the previous section on MESSAGES.

The I-Gate can also forward specialty formatted APRS messages to the Internet as E-Mail.

Send a Message;

To send a message in the To: box type EMAIL (instead of a call sign), in the message box the first part of the message (up to the first space) is the email address, the rest of it is the content:

Acknowledged;

Of course, for this to work there must be a TCP/IP (Igate) station on frequency. Typing "I" on any map window will display a red circle around all of the IGates. Also, you will know if your email message has been sent if it is acknowledged.

BULLETINS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Please do not send bulletins or announcements until you are very familiar with the software. Or, you have been instructed to do so by someone in authority.

Bulletins:

Announcements:

Clearing Messages, Bulletins, and Announcements:

To DELETE a message;

To DELETE a message, select it and hit DELETE or BACKSPACE.