Entries in Amateur Radio Category

This week I've been playing with setting up a Linux WinLink 2000 RMS Gateway.

I started with what I believe was a standard Ubuntu distribution.

I installed the following additional packages via Ubuntu's installation tool:
zlib1g-dev
libxml2-dev
libax25-dev
xutils-dev
autotools-dev
x11proto-core-dev
x-dev
libncurses5-dev
libmysqlclient15-dev
openssh-server
openbsd-inetd
node

Then I configured ax25 on that computer to have one port ("radio") which is
setup as -11 @ 9600 baud with a paclen of 255 and a window of 2.

radio -11 9600 128 2 145.050 MHz (1200 bps)

The TNC was in KISS mode on ttyS0. I used the kissattach command to attach the TNC on /dev/ttyS0 to the
"radio" ax25 port.

/usr/sbin/kissattach /dev/ttyS0 radio 44.24.250.250

Then I downloaded and installed the latest version of rmsgw (version
2.0.2-111) following the installation instructions that they provide.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinuxRMS/

Then I altered the ax25d.conf file so that when someone connects to the
station -11, the rmsgw is launched. (Directions in the rmsgw setup.)

I also altered the ax25d.con file so that is a running the "node" software to which I have done very little customization.

I then installed digi_ned and configured it as a very simple digi (only responds to it's call).

I also installed the beta release of ldsped which is similar to AGWPE for Linux.
http://www.on7lds.net/ldsped/index.html
This setup is very simple, it's a binary distribution, and the customization is minimal as well, so this went very smooth.

The settings that I came away with after much testing were PACLEN of 128, WINDOW of 2.

It's not the best setup in the world with the TNC in the TS-2000, but it does work....it will get relocated to another Ham's house and setup with a KPC3+ although with some of the issues that we've seen, he may revert it back to running Windows XP.

Here's a web site that describes how to make a GPS tracking device using a GPS Module, a custom board/processor/firmware and a specific cellular phone.
Open GPS Tracker: How it works

The tracker firmware interfaces with the phone and sends the location using SMS.

citumpe.com: Pure Java DTMF Detection

This application detects DTMF "touch" tones and presents the relative magnitude of the component frequencies. And it's written in java AND runs on my computer with no modifications (that seems rare with downloaded source).

I'm planning to participate as part of the communications team to support the
3-State 3-Mountain Bicycle Ride this Saturday. The ride will start/end downtown Chattanooga (Finley Stadium).

They have 3 routes, 100 miles, 62 miles and 25 miles.

More to come...

First on my list is Argent Data Systems.

Argent Data Systems produces the OpenTracker+ and Tracker2 series APRS devices. They also stock a variety of other products for amateur radio operators and electronic hobbyists.

Next would be RPC Electronics

RPC Electronics offers a wider range of products, mostly data and audio cables for APRS and packet radio. They also offer simple serial communications testing and monitoring tools.

BATTERY BOOSTER

During the evolution of Amateur electronic gear the power source has evolved around the automobile standard of 13.8 volts . And typically the tolerance has been set at + or - 15%. This is OK if the engine is on. One further complication is that the specification does not include the cable drop of 1 to 2 volts.
So when the engine is turned off the battery drops to 12 volts. Now 15% off of 13.8 leaves only 11.7 and another volt drop for the cable leaves 10.7 volts to run the radio. The radio is not specified to run at this voltage.
So what is needed is a car type power supply, just like at home that always puts out 13.8 volts. Hence the Electronic Battery Booster. Now if you take your radio out of the house and put it in your car it will give the same output, just as if it was connected to the power supply in the house.

The best application for splitting ports is GPSgate from Franson Software.

This utility can split the incoming data stream from either a physical
serial port or a virtual com port created by a USB-to-serial dongle into
almost any number of virtual com ports that other programs can then use.
It can also convert to/from TCP/IP so that a com port source can be
distributed over a LAN via TCP/IP. On other PCs on the lan, copies of
GPSgate can then convert TCP/IP back to virtual com ports.

In addition, GPSgate can convert Garmin proprietary binary format coming
in on USB, to standard ASCII NMEA on multiple virtual com ports! This
allows you to use just about any Garmin GPS, even those without NMEA
and/or serial outputs, with almost any program that can use standard
serial NMEA data.

GPSgate is available in two versions. A lite "Express" version that
spits a single input, real or virtual, into just two virtual outputs is
USD $13. The "Standard" version that can split multiple source ports
into any number of outputs is USD $40. If you "split" a virtual
comport into just one new port, you can create the equivalent of the
1-port-to-1-port bridge utilities described in 1) above.

You can run multiple instances of GPSgate Standard on a single machine.
For example, you could have one instance splitting a GPS from a physical
port for use with multiple mapping programs. At the same time, a second
instance could be joining a soundcard soft TNC to an APRS application
like UIview or APRSplus.

Real world applications that I have used:

I routinely split the single physical COM port on my Panasonic Toughbook
mobile laptop to feed GPS data into UIview, Visual GPS, MapPoint,
Delorme Topo USA, and Precision Mapping at the same time. GPSgate is
set to load automatically each time the computer boots.

Using a second instance of GPSgate on the same laptop, I have
intercepted one output of the first instance and converted to TCP/IP. I
then distributed the IP NMEA stream via ad-hoc WiFi to a second copy of
GPSgate running on a second laptop in the back seat of the car, where
several more mapping apps were running.

--

Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com
EchoLink Node: 14400 [Think bottom of the 2M band]
Home Page: http://wa8lmf.com --OR-- http://wa8lmf.net

http://freedominput.com/site/index.php


This site has some neat stuff for smart phones including the "Freedom Mini GPS" It's a bluetooth GPS unit.

http://www.visit.se/~pointless/

Network audio utility for amateur radio.

I've been told this is a simple tool to facilitate getting audio from point A to point B via the internet (or similar). Worth an investigation.

http://www.ham-shack.com/repeater.html

A reasonably nice way to find a repeater - by looking at a map.

This past weekend was a lot of fun.

I was part of the communications team for the Atomic Man Triathlon. The even was down in Vonore - about 60 miles from home.

I left home around 6:30 - the event was scheduled to start at 8AM. I got there plenty early and took the extra time to pre-ride the course so I could get an idea of the area I would be covering during the event.

My job during this event was to ride around the course with a referee to allow him to monitor the participants to ensure they were following all of the rules.

The referee and I rode around the course for about 4 hours - until most of the bicycle riders were finished.

After that, I just hung around for a while and visited with the other communications guys.

I got home around 4 PM and had put around 300 miles on the motorcycle.

A very fun day that I would gladly do again

Eastern Pennsylvania ARES® Digital Network

Still more WinPack Add-ons
Packet

WinPack

Lots of WinPack add-ons

Some software add-ons (and the software) for WinPack:

Amateur Radio Software

Good stuff!

ARRLWeb: Field Services Forms

ARRL / ARES Forms on line.

At the Delta Club meeting in Memphis last night, the speaker was a communications specialists from the Tennessee Task Force 1 team.

He did a really interesting presentation about how this team has been deployed to assist in disaster areas and what he has done specifically with the communications portion of things.

Recommendations for Emergency Preparedness

I found this to be a really well written article about Emergency Preparedness. It also has some good discussions about batteries.

Jetstream

I've heard several guys in Memphis talking about these antenna's. They seem to be very happy with the performance of the JTB2.

Outpost TNC Message Manager Homepage

Outpost is a Windows-based TNC message client that lets you send and receive packet messages with almost any Amateur Radio Bulletin Board System (BBS) or TNC Personal Mail Box.

Outpost was designed for the ARES/RACES packet user community. The thinking behind it was to create an intuitive, easy-to-use program that lets ARES/RACES organizations focus on the "message," not the "medium," as they pass packet traffic to and from an Operational Area BBS.

HF BANDS - WHAT TO EXPECT - ALL ABOUT OUR HF BANDS

This is a very good description of the general characteristics of the HF HAM bands.

TXD is two things: Enough time for the transmitter to key up and make RF
(the time between asserting PTT, and having full, stable output). Part
two is, how long it takes the slowest, worst-case, RECEIVER in range, to
open it's squelch, and not "chop off" part of the packet on the way to
the attached TNC.

You can use crystal controlled, PIN DIODE switch transmitters for fast
ptt to rf out, but the slowest RECEIVER hampers you. Especially true
where folks use squelched audio, as they do at 1200 in many cases. Using
discriminator audio eliminates the squelch system delay. All receivers,
though, require SOME time to start acting on an incoming signal. It can
be close to zero, but there is some delay.

So TXD is a compromise for both transmitters (which you can control at
your site or station) and receivers, which you have no control over.

--
) ) de WA2MCT Mark
( ( Echolink 99190 Grid Square EL17HQ
) ) You will be assimilated... oooh, coffee!!
_|****| http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?wa2mct-7 Home
( | | http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=wa2mct-9 Mobile
`|____| wa2mct@mearle.com wa2mct@juno.com wa2mct@arrl.net

HamServ on Ken's Website

This is some packet BBS software for windows; complete with source code. Nice web site, I'll have to check the software soon.

This is a great site that takes the "common sense" items about working an event and puts them in writing.

They explain things like "What does a Rest Stop/Aid Station Communicator do?"

Public Service Communicator Information

Common sense, but with it in writing, everyone would have the same understanding.

I found a reference to this organization while Reading the August 2006 edition of the Popular Communications magazine.

National Registry of Certified EmComm Volunteers

The mission of the group is (in part):

To serve as a national EmComm Volunteer certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice required by amateur radio, and other, EmComm volunteers, and to maintain a public registry of individual operators, Amateur Radio Communication Teams and Organizations.

SAD2CUE Homepage

SAD2CUE is an Excel spreadsheet containing VBA macros that will read in a route saved in Delorme's Street Atlas Deluxe, Topo 4 Topo 5, SA2003, SA2004, or SA2005 and will format the output for bicycle cue sheets.

DC-Powered Ham

This dedicated ham-radio-oriented computer system simultaneously hosts an Echolink radio-to-Internet interface, an APRS personal webserver, and an APRN (SSTV-to-Internet) gateway. The objective was a dedicated box that contains both the computer system and the associated radios packaged so that the only external connections are antennas, Internet and 12 VDC power

The Twinlead J-Pole Antenna

Looks like a pretty simple way to build a very portable antenna - maybe worth a try one day soon.

carsprogram Public Homepage

CARS (Condition Acquisition and Reporting System) is a condition reporting system now used by 10 states to assemble traveler information and to support the dissemination through such things as Traveler Information Web Pages, 511 Telephone Systems, and Highway Advisor Radio/Low Power FM transmitters.

The following commands are for the TH-D7(G) upgraded model:
Commands

HVW Technologies Inc: Stamp Stack II Starter Kit

This is a great way to start using the BASIC Stamp. Everything you need in one kit.

KD4RDB APRS PAGE :: View topic - Smart Beacon for Kenwood d700

A small "basic stamp" program that will hook to your GPS in parallel with the kenwood radio (they both see the same GPS data), and will make your kenwood beacon when you turn a corner. You need only to set your kenwood to beacon every 30 minutes and this program will increase that rate as needed.

Adaptaplug H

This is an end for a DC power cable for the Kenwood TH-D7 available at RadioShack.

New Mexico Geographic Data and Metadata for Xastir

Shapefiles and tools for Xastir use

APRSDEC DECODER SOFTWARE FROM G3NRW

Download the APRS Decoder. V 2.0 for Unix/Linux (266240 bytes).

Simple PIC Packet Receiver

Build a PIC Packet Radio Decoder

KD4RDB APRS PAGE :: View topic - Excessive Hops

Excessive Hops - how and why to avoid them

Durham FM Association Ham Radio Club

Repeater Lists

We will be putting up repeater lists to popular destinations. Here are a few to start with.

Durham to Atlanta

Durham to Charlotte

Durham to Orlando

Durham to Richmond

Durham to Nashville

GPSCity.com: Garmin OEM GPS 18 Sensor with Serial and 12V Connection (010-00321-04) Product Page

Garmin OEM GPS 18 Sensor with Serial and 12V Connection

Unicoi County Amateur Radio Service - Tennessee

This group does packet radio.

GPS Review

There are several programs available for Linux that will interact with just about any GPS on the market. This software generally servers to either interact with or enhance the GPS unit. Programs that interact can transfer information to and from the unit, including way-points, routes, detailed maps, saved tracks and more. These usually run on a proprietary protocol, such as Garmin or Magellan. Though the protocol is considered proprietary, development is supported by most companies and is very well documented. Other types of programs enhance the GPS unit by providing a more detailed and comprehensive visual display of the information read from from the GPS. These mostly use the open source NMEA protocol to read and display data from the GPS such as position, time of day, signal strength and others. These are the types of programs this article will focus on, specifically RoadMap and GPS Drive

Crystalfontz: Serial LCD Modules, USB LCD Modules, and Parallel LCD Modules (Liquid Crystal Displays)

RC-110 Repeater Controller

Presenting The Next Generation Repeater Controller That Won't Bust Your Budget - The RC-110 Advanced Repeater Controller

Appalachian Trail 2 Meter Repeater Guide v1.1

Listed below is a state by state, traveling south to north, Appalachian Trail 2 Meter Repeater Guide. The listings are for repeaters that are within 25 miles of the AT

APRS World: Special Events and Stations to Watch

Special Events and Stations to Watch

AMATEUR RADIO REPEATERS

AMATEUR RADIO REPEATERS
IN EAST TENNESSEE

License Search

The ULS License Search enables you to search for a wide range of licenses in the Universal Licensing System.

SERA Frequency Utilization Plans

The ARRL National Repeater Directory publishes what is called "ARRL National Band Plans." As is mentioned, these plans are set forth as a starting guideline for repeater users. Each coordinator across the nation has an option of either following the ARRL Band Plan, or adding, changing, or deleting certain frequencies or portions to better utilize spectrum in their particular coordination location.

Linux AX.25 Configuration

Good descriptions on how to setup AX.25 to do a lot.

Also tells you how to do the soundmodem driver for AX.25

freqs

Memphis Area
Repeater Frequencies
Courtesy of Henry Leggette, WD4Q
ARRL Delta Division Vice Director

LDG Electronics Inc.

LDG Electronics Inc. is a world leader in manufacturing and sales of quality
Amateur Radio and Microcomputer products. LDG's unique blend of
microcomputers and radio has put it at the edge of today's technology.

Peter H. Anderson - Embedded Processor Control

Peter H. Anderson - Embedded Processor Control
PC Parallel Port, BasicX, BASIC Stamp®, 68HC11, PIC®, Data Acquisition and Control
Peter H. Anderson (KZ3K), Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

Web site for links to some potential projects.

http://www.km5ct.com/index.html

KM5CT's Home Page - Home for the coordinator of the Motorola Marathon with some neat "products" for APRS tracking and some information on the marathon.

Blount Emergency Communications

Sevier county area scanner frequencies

Smoky Mountain Area Scanner Frequencies

Delta Amateur Radio Club - A 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Organization - Donations are tax deductible

W4BS Repeater System
Memphis, TN


146.82- 147.36 224.42- 443.20 145.03

XastirMaps - NWAPRS

index

The Smoky Mountain Amateur Radio Club meets the fourth Monday of each month except for June and December. In June we will attend Field Day and in December the Club will have it's annual Christmas Party. The Club meets in the United Steel Workers of America Hall, in the basement, located at 339 Hall Road in Alcoa,TN

Tennessee Section Field Sites

Tennessee Section
Field Day Sites
2004

Map Data

All map data available to download is in shapefile format. The shapefiles have been zipped for easier download

SMA to BNC Adapter

Do you have a need for an sma-to-bnc antenna adapter that is custom made to fit your H.T. or scanner radio?
Adapter allows you to:
Quickly change your antennas to base,mobile or different style use.
Use the more popular and wider selection available of bnc antennas.
Prevent chassis connector wear or from coming loose due to always having to change antennas.

BC60XLT-1 Modification

By performing this simple modification you will get an extra 50 channels (in addition to the original 30).

Scanner Frequencies of Cocke County: Newport, Cosby, Tennessee

Scanner Frequencies for Cocke County

KE4YBZ Amateur Radio Page

A few other popular 2-Meter repeater frequencies in the Mid-East Tennessee area:
145.625 (-) Located on Chilhowee Mountain in Blount County
145.170 (-) Located in South Knoxville
147.300 ( ) Located near Townsend (Owned by RACK Club of Knoxville)
146.850 (-) Located near Gatlinburg, on Cove Mountain in Sevier County

scanning reference: Family Radio Service (FRS) Frequencies

Channel No. (MHz)

1................... 462.5625
2................... 462.5875
3................... 462.6125
4................... 462.6375
5................... 462.6625
6................... 462.6875
7................... 462.7125
8................... 467.5625
9................... 467.5875
10.................. 467.6125
11.................. 467.6375
12.................. 467.6625
13.................. 467.6875
14.................. 467.7125

Tom's Xastir Shape File Hackage

APRS Multiline Protocol

The present spec in aprs for area objects cannot handle polygons properly to be used for National Weather Service watches and warnings. The following protocol has been used in Xastir successfully for over a year.

Overview - Sound Card Packet

APRS Digi List

2003 North Texas APRS Workshop - Schedule

2003 North Texas APRS Workshop - Schedule

DIGI_NED @ QSL.NET the portal

DIGI_NED is a low level software package for creating APRS digipeaters that provide services of all kind. For this obsolete 286 DOS PC's can be used or LINUX. DIGI_NED runs with allmost all available hardware and modems for packet-radio.

Pennsylvania Scanning Information Center - CB Frequencies

Citizens Band Radio Service

CH 1 - 26.965
CH 2 - 26.975
CH 3 - 26.985
RC/ channel 26.995
CH 4 - 27.005
CH 5 - 27.015
CH 6 - 21.025
CH 7 - 27.035
RC/channel 27.045
CH 8 - 27.055
CH 9 - 27.065 (Emergency call in)
CH 10 - 27.075
CH 11 - 27.085
RC/channel 27.095
CH 12 - 27.105
CH 13 - 27.115
CH 14 - 27.125
CH 15 - 27.135
CH 16 - 27.155
CH 17 - 27.165
CH 18 - 27.175
CH 19 - 27.185
CH 20 - 27.205
CH 21 - 27.215
CH 22 - 27.225
CH 23 - 27.255
CH 24 - 27.235
CH 25 - 27.245
CH 26 - 27.265
CH 27 - 27.275
CH 28 - 27.285
CH 29 - 27.295
CH 30 - 27.305
CH 31 - 27.315
CH 32 - 27.325
CH 33 - 27.335
CH 34 - 27.345
CH 35 - 27.355
CH 36 - 27.365
CH 37 - 27.375
CH 38 - 27.385
CH 39 - 27.395
CH 40 - 27.405

Sevier CountyTennesse Frequency Page (C) Copyright 1997-2002 R.E. Christian, All Rights Reserved.

IRLP - Internet Radio Linking Project

The IRLP uses Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) custom software and hardware. Coupled with the power of the Internet, IRLP will link your radio site to the world in a simple and cost effective way.

meters

METERS is an umbrella organization composed of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateurs Civilian Emergency Service (RACES), unaffiliated amateur radio operators, and members of the general public.

This page lists several GPS Personal Location Tracking devices.

GPS Personal Location Tracking