Experiments with APRS

This week I have been experimenting with APRS using the following equipment.

What is APRS

APRS stands for Automatic Packet Reporting System is an amateur radio-based system for real time tactical digital communications of information of immediate value in the local area. In addition, all such data is ingested into the APRS Internet system (APRS-IS) and distributed globally for ubiquitous and immediate access. Along with messages, alerts, announcements and bulletins, the most visible aspect of APRS is its map display. Anyone may place any object or information on his or her map, and it is distributed to all maps of all users in the local RF network or monitoring the area via the Internet. Any station, radio or object that has an attached GPS is automatically tracked. Other prominent map features are weather stations, alerts and objects and other map-related amateur radio volunteer activities including Search and Rescue and signal direction finding.

1. Yeasu VX-2 handheld
2. Argent Data System OpenTracker OT1m
3. Garmin GPS18 LVC
4. SignaLink USB
5. Yeasu FT857D
6. Packet Engine Pro or AGWPE
7. UI-View 32

First I downloaded UI-View and AGWPE and Packet Engine Pro a good website to help set up this software is http://www.soundcardpacket.org Then I set up the OpenTracker OT1m and connected it to the GPS unit and the radio.

I then connected this to the handheld and once is had received had a GPS lock the OpenTracker keys the radio automatically. Once this is connected and up and running I set up the SignaLink and the Yeasu FT857D

Once this was up and running I then needed to get the software talking to the hardware this is pretty easy using the Packet Engine Pro using the soundcard wizard and a little harder using the AGWPE software lots of info on how to do this on http://www.soundcardpacket.org.

 







Bart PE

Bart PE (pre installed environment). This a very useful GUI based diagnostic and boot CD Windows CD-Rom or DVD from the original Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 installation/setup CD, very suitable for PC maintenance tasks.

I have created my own Bart PE boot CD using PE Builder 

BartPE vs. Windows PE?

• BartPE is not supported by Microsoft. Windows PE is an official Microsoft product.
• BartPE has a graphical user interface. Windows PE has a command line interface.
• The tools needed to make a BartPE installation are free software. Windows PE is available only to Microsoft OEM users.
• BartPE allows unlimited custom plugins. Windows PE has a limited range of plugins options.

What is the technical difference between BartPE and Windows PE?

• Target - Microsoft sees Windows PE as an installation platform. Bart sees Windows PE as the next generation rescue platform.
• Start-menu - Bart's builder gives you a simple, dynamic and powerful start-menu (Nu2Menu, see screenshots). Microsoft's builder does not give you a start-menu, it uses a command prompt.
• Build from - Bart's builder can also build from Windows XP Home Edition or from a preinstalled Windows XP version (without CD).
• Plugins - With PE Builder you can easily add applications, drivers or tools using plugins. This makes PE Builder extremely powerful. The end user can even combine plugins from different software vendors into one CD image.
• Network support - PE Builder includes its own network support tools (bartpe/penetcfg) to start TCP/IP and Microsoft Client. The TCP/IP settings like: dynamic/static ip-address, subnet-mask, default gateway, dns-servers computer-name, workgroup can be changed on-the-fly. You can create pre-defined profiles, that you can select. Microsoft Windows PE only supports DHCP or fixed settings using winbom.ini.
  Also there is a plugin (NwDskPe) created by Erwin Veermans that loads the Netware Client on BartPE (IP/IPX).
• Fileshare - BartPE can start File Sharing support so you can connect to the system through a share.
• VNC - Because of the File Sharing support you can also run UltraVNC.
• Dos support - Bart's builder has a plugin called "dospe".
• License - Microsoft Windows PE is only for Enterprise/OEM customers (see previous), BartPE is for everybody!
• 64-Bit - Bart's builder does not support Windows 64-bit editions.

HF antenna for small gardens

I have a very small garden and have been operating HF using a mixture of antennas. 

My first experiment was with the Super Antenna MP1. I have been very happy with the results from this antenna. However I did need to modify the counterpoise radials  and make them longer than the ones supplied. 

I also have a Buddistick  This antenna is nice neat package, well built and fits into a tiny carry case. It is very easy to install and tune. 

At the National Hamfest I got hold of a device called called an UnUn 9:1 (unbalanced to unbalanced)  from SRC  

The 9:1 Unun is a transformer Bringing high values such as 450 Ohm's to a closer and more manageable 36 to 90 Ohms, thus allowing a much better match from your coax feeder to the random length.

Minecraft

I have been experimenting with minecraft in the classroom with my Year 6 ICT classes as the pupils are playing it all the time. With  help of my pupils we have set up the server and devised a series of lessons.  There are several articles about using this program in the classroom.

Check out The Minecraft Teacher and Minecraft Wiki 

Ultimate Boot CD

Last week at work I had to deal with dead Windows XP SP3 workstation part of my diagnostic tool box I have found a useful bunch of tools available from www.ultimatebootcd.com I downloaded the ISO and then using pendrivelinux.com  I made a bootable USB flash drive.  

Ham Radio Deluxe

I downloaded Ham Radio Deluxe last year to operate with my Signalink USB and it is an excellent program with lots of features for any Ham Operator.

Citizen Band

Often snubbed by amateurs, CB was the first step I took through to qualifying as a Ham radio operator. As a teenager before the Internet had spread, the possibility of chatting for free from my bedroom to my mates was great. What started off with mag-mounts on a tin tray wedged in the gutter soon spread to 20 foot verticals mounted on the back of a shed in my parents garden.

Last year I decided to see if I could get hold of one of my old CB radios and I found them both on ebay so I bid and won them both. I managed to get my old Harrier CBX in really good condition for £35

I then bid again and got a Rotel this one is working order but a little beaten up



A good website for the old days of CB is the online CB museum

Need a good soldering iron?

This system uses the Metcal SmartHeat technology. Which utilizes Skin Effect of a 13Mhz RF signal from a constant current power supply. This means the heat is generated on the surface of the tip delivering tremendous power when need at amazing accuracy. This design also means there is no internal thermo couple of heating element to fail as in other brands. Since this design uses skin effect in the tip cartridge to Generate the heat the physics of the system achieve a +/- 1.1 degree temperature stability and there is no calibration required. Tip cartridges swap easily without the use of tools.

One of the members of my RAYNET group was using one of these on Saturday it is the Rolls Royce of soldering irons! There are a few for sale one ebay but to by new you are looking at £500 - £600.

Mid-Thames RAYNET

Mid Thames RAYNET

Our next event is Beaconsfield Festival of Lights on 14th

M1BWT

This is my friend Simon's M1BWT new website all about his Amatuer radio set up. He has just set
his new antenna system it is a homebrew £30.00! 20/17/15 and 10m fan diapole on the roof of his London flat. I went over to visit today and we worked several Mexican stations and guy in New York. Pretty good hop for a homebrew antenna!

The dipole is cut resonant for 20/17/15/10m so no ATU is required on those bands. For all other bands I rely on an ATU for a match, but presently being just coaxial fed suffer from increased mis-matched feeder losses on those frequencies.

The antenna is mounted on the roof of a three storey house, with the base of the mounting pole approximately 12m off the ground. The dipole centre is a further 5 meters higher, with the antenna ends fastened about 3.5m below the centre, giving the inverted 'V' of approximately 100 degrees (for the top element).