APRS - plotting vehicle locations

[lars]

One of the technologies that spurred my interest into amateur radio is APRS (automatic position reporting system). See here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Position_Reporting_System) for more info.

What was particularly cool is that radios such as some Kenwoods could receive position data and actually plot the senders' location on a Garmin GPS screen. Unfortunately, the Kenwood radios with that feature are quite pricey.

Is there any other products that can do the same thing? I know Open Tracker II can, but I don't think they're actually selling that, yet.

...lars

[jeeper]

Thats a interseting read !


Its like what the gmrs Rhinos do ! - A gps with a radio built in !


I was wondering how long it would take the Ham radio world to use the same technology ! -----They should have been leading it !

Bruce !

[lars]

Yes, exactly the same as the Rinos. I'm not sure who had it first, though. APRS has been around for a long time. As a proof-of-concept, I'm pretty sure ham got there first. But for automatically plotting the position on a GPS, Garmin probably got there first. APRS was mainly used for plotting onto a computer, not a GPS.


...lars

[BC_FJC]

A few weeks ago I meet up with the guys from the local ham club and started talking about ARPS and how easy it is to get up and running and how it might be useful on the trail to keep track of where the other trucks are. I played around with the tracking software for a week and then ordered a tracking system on Monday. Looks like it will be fun to play with

[lars]

What items did you order? Will your system be able to plot your location on a GPS, or only onto a computer?

...lars

[BC_FJC]

I ordered the TinyTrak 3 plus (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/tt3plus.php). With this unit you have a few options, you can connect it directly to a GPS recever or you can connect it to a GPS Unit that already has all the features you are looking for. This one is a transmitter only so it will not help you locate other objects.

I am also looking at ordering another interface from Tigertronics (http://www.burnabyradio.com/PDFs/Tigertronics_USB.pdf) to be able to connect my laptop into the system and then be able to track myself and others that way... and also for use with the other digital modes.

My thoughts are I will leave the TinyTrak in my truck connected to it's own GPS recever and a cheap ebay HT to track my truck at all times and keep the Tigertronics interface with my laptop so I can use it for more then just tracking. I will keep you posted on my findings


73