APRS

For a lightweight portable station, all you need is a handheld transceiver, a tiny packet TNC, and an Android smartphone.

For those unaware, APRS is the Automatic Packet Reporting System, a VHF packet radio network, primarily on 144.39 MHz in the US and Canada, that is used for tracking moving objects (and people), texting, and a great deal more.

I enjoy operating APRS, and I thought that I had it covered when it came to the different types of APRS devices that are available. However, I recently assembled a pocket sized full-featured APRS setup for portable operating that uses a smartphone as part of the station.

My configuration is based around a Baofeng UV-3R dual-band hand-held transceiver along with a Mobilinkd packet radio TNC known as the TNC2 and my Android smartphone. Although I’m using a UV-3R transceiver, you can assemble this station with many other FM hand-helds. The only trick is finding the cable to connect the TNC to the radio. There are cables for sale on the Mobilinkd website, but nothing stops you from making your own.

For the Android smartphone, you will need to download the APRSdroid software app available on the APRSdroid website. I am using my Blackberry Z30 smartphone loaded with APRSdroid software. APRSdroid software will not run on Apple iPhones, though….. Read Full Article.

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