APRS Emergencies Drills kc APRS org

APRS Emergencies & Drills • kc. APRS. org – Coordinating organization – for APRS in KS, KC & MO • NEKSUN – Join in the fun of APRS and repeater building across Northeast Kansas kØham. com KØHAM. com

Why We Are Here • • What is APRS? What software should I use? What Hardware should I use? What do I need to know about the existing APRS network? • How can I use APRS for Emergencies? • How can I use APRS for Drills?

What is APRS • Automatic Position Reporting System (previoulsy Automatic Packet Reporting System) • Packet communication protocol for sharing live data on a network in real time • Real time tactical communications and display system for emergencies and public service applications (APRS Spec)

How is APRS different from Packet Radio? • Communication is ‘one to many’ • Uses generic digipeating with standard aliases • Supports intelligent digipeating to reduce network flooding • Uses UI frames for messaging, bulletins and announcements • Provides maps and other features

Frequencies • VHF – Primary (Digis): 144. 39 1200 baud – Secondary: 144. 39 1200 baud • UHF – Primary (Digis): 446. 175 1200 baud – Secondary: 441. 175 1200 baud • HF – 30 M 10. 15151 LSB 300 baud

Emergency Operations • What do you need 2 B a good Emergency Operator? – INCLUDING SAR – Detailed Map • May be deployed to unfamiliar territory. – Latest WX info from the NWS • Need to see Watches & Warnings • Radar – Field Observations • Need to see temperature & wind all around – See other spotters • Need to know where all field units are deployed – Objects • Indicate damage or roadblocks on a map for all to see • List of Shelter Locations – Short Messaging • Communicate more confidential info to EOC or field units – Email capability • Need to be able to send short messages to internet users

APRS Data Types • Station Beacons – Contain call, location, symbol, status, time, speed, alt. vector – Wx beacons add wx info • Objects – Created by an APRS as an icon – Contains same data as beacon – Can be moved and adopted by other APRS stations • Messages – Short Text (<68 char) between two stations in 4 ways • • Station to Station direct or via digi Station to Station via TCPIP RF station to Internet Station RF station to email recipient

APRS Emergency Operations • On Demand Station Types – Internet Client – Internet Website – Base – Mobile – Tracker • Existing Infrastructure – Igate – Digi

Internet Client • Using a software client like UI-View – Can see all APRS station & beacon info – Can send beacons & msgs if setup with a local IGATE + Avoids having another radio in the EOC Avoids interference with other VHF radios Good Mapping & weather integration Requires good internet connectivity

Internet Website • Using a webpage like findu. com or aprsworld. net – Can see all APRS station & beacon info – Can send beacons & msgs if setup with a local IGATE + Avoids having another radio in the EOC Avoids interference with other VHF radios Good Mapping & weather integration No APRS software installation required Requires good internet connectivity No abililty to send objects, beacons, or messages

Base • Uses a TNC & Radio & PC to Send & Receive & display data – Software Client (like UI-View) displays info seen on a Map – May also connect to internet to see more stations nationwide or act as an IGATE – Can act as a fill in digi (set tnc myalias to wide 1 -1)

Mobile Uses a TNC & Radio & PC to Send & Receive & display data – Software Client (like UI-View) displays info seen on a Map – May also connect to internet (via wi-fi) to see more stations nationwide or act as an IGATE – Can act as a fill in digi (set tnc myalias to wide 1 -1)

Tracker • Uses Transmit TNC and Radio • Only sends position for that particular TNC & Radio • Cannot see other APRS users • May be used on Canteens or other unmanned resources

Infrastructure • IGATES • Can be home users or dedicated stations – Use Radio, TNC and Internet connection • Sends all RF data to Internet Servers • Sends SELECT Internet Data to RF (Bandwidth Constrained) • DIGIS – Located at high locations throughout the area – Respond to Wide 1 -1, Wide 2 -2, Wide 3 -3 – Respond to their own call for specific routing

Mobile Path – Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE 1 -1, WIDE 2 -1 (2 hops) or – Non-Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE 1 -1, WIDE 2 -2 (3 hops) Home (Fixed) Path – Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE 2 -2 – Non-Metro Example: • APRS V WIDE 3 -3 or • APRS VIA K 0 XYZ, WIDE 2 -2

UI-View 32 Solution Detailed Map: Show world Map Zoom full in Show Search capability Address, County, State, Phone, Mile Marker, Call Show Overlays (Spotter Locations) Show Underlays (Aerial Photos) Show UI-Terra

UI-View 32 Solution Latest WX info & Observations: Show UI-NWS Show active colored counties Click for details Show finger wx_srv Show Field Wx Station observations

UI-View 32 Solution Messaging: Show sending a message direct Show sending a message via digi Show sending a message via internet Show sending an email message

UI-View 32 Solution Tracking & Zooming: Show Auto Track (Cross Hairs and Track zoom) Show UI-Height Track With Height based color Show movement alarm Show UI-History Show Find. U Log Converter Show FCC server

UI-View 32 Solution Objects: Show moving object Show UI-Signpost Show inactive object Difference between objects & overlays Show Objects list

Getting on the Air with APRS – What to Buy/Scrounge Hardware • Base station requirements – 2 meter radio and antenna – Desktop computer – TNC or soundcard/interface • Mobile station requirements – 2 meter radio and antenna – Variables

Mobile/Portable Variables • Mobile-Track & View – GPS – Laptop – TNC • Mobile-Tracking Only – GPS – Tiny Track, or Tracking TNC • Portable-Tracking Only – GPS – Tracker interface device – Power source for portability

Hardware • Computers for UI-View – Pentium II, 128 mb 3 gb avail, minimum – Faster PC=Faster Map refresh • Consideration for a TNC with GPS – 2 serial ports are needed (Unless KPC 3+) – If only 1 serial port is available, can use a “Port sharing” device – Any TNC will do with fixed location and a PC attached.

Hardware • Kantronics KPC-3+ – Supports single PC Serial Port Tracker – Supports UI Flood Protocol – Current Version is 9. 0 – Simple Mobile Operation – Cost $189

Hardware • Kantronics KPC-3 – Good for Home use – Version 8. 2 Supports UI Flood Protocol – Average cost used: $80

Hardware • KPC-2, KAM, MFJ, others – Good for Home use – Low cost – Check http: //swap. qth. com/ for deals

Hardware Self Contained Tiny Trak III kit ($30) http: //www. byonics. com/tinytrak/index. html A self-contained tracking/telemetry module Pocket Tracker Kit: ($89) http: //www. byonics. com/pockettracker/ ALSO Includes the RADIO!

Hardware Self Contained Kenwood TM-D 700 ($489) Just add a GPS Kenwood TH-D 7 ($339) Just add a GPS

GPS Hardware • GPS Receivers – Must have PC interface port – Must output NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) messages on the PC port (default) – External antenna a plus – RS-232 or TTL

Internet APRS viewing • FINDU – http: //www. findu. com • j. FINDU – http: //www. jfindu. net • APRSWorld – http: //www. aprsworld. net

Important Links • KC APRS Organization kcaprs. org • NEKSUN APRS k 0 ham. com • tapr. org • ui-view. org • nwaprs. org • web. usna. navy. mil/~bruninga/aprs/fix 14439. html • http: //www. w 0 ipl. com/ECom/aprs-imp. htm • http: //www. byonics. com

Questions • ? ? Invitation to join k 0 ham & kcaprs. org This presentation available at kc. APRS. org

UI-View Usage • • • Run UI-view & enter registration information (including APRS server logon) Turn on alternative mouse actions, , turn on show range scale, turn on auto log, turn off announce stations first time, MISC- turn off splash screen , turn on more detail Setup Comms, 19200, 8 N 1 edit ini file add blt 00: 00 on startup & blt 00: 05: 00 on exit. Setup Station APRS, WIDE 2 -2, add beacon comment, fixed 30, mobile 5, 1 mile symbols GPS Setup, Shared port setup, cross hairs, clock set (-6) Copy all the. pos files to uiv-viewoverlays Copy marine zones, counties & forecast zones to ui-viewnwsshapefiles Install, height tracker, ui-traffic, nwsget Install fcc callbook server--Copy en. dat and amateur. dat to uiv-view/fccsrv folder Load Map-Precision Mapping 7 Run UI-NWS, under shapes setup ensure use map server special features is NOT checked How to delete stations (CTRL-DELETE in stations window)