CHAPTER AUTOMATIC PACKET/ POSITION REPORTING SYSTEM ® OPERATION FLOW ... 2 CONNECTING WITH A GPS RECEIVER ... 3 SETTING UTC OFFSET ... 3 SELECTING DATA BAND ... 3 SELECTING PACKET TRANSFER RATE ... 3 RECEIVING APRS DATA ... 4 ACCESSING RECEIVED APRS DATA ... 5 PROGRAMMING A CALL SIGN...
AUTOMATIC PACKET/ POSITION REPORTING SYSTEM The Automatic Packet/ Position Reporting System (APRS ) is a software program and registered trademark of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR. He has made packet communications much more exciting than before. This program allows you to track mobile stations on a map which you recall on a computer screen.
OPERATION FLOW The following flow chart includes only the steps to give APRS a quick try. q Access Menu 2–M to select band A or B as the data band {page 3}. The default is band A. w Press [TNC] to enter APRS mode. •...
CONNECTING WITH A GPS RECEIVER The GPS jack on this transceiver accepts a 2.5 mm (1/10") 3-conductor plug. If necessary, use the supplied cable to modify the cable end of your GPS receiver. Note: Turn OFF the transceiver power before making the connections. To GPS jack In order to use the connected GPS receiver, access Menu 2–2 (GPS UNIT) to select “NMEA”...
RECEIVING APRS DATA Each time new APRS data is received, the frequency display is interrupted to show information as below: ST STA CON 96 96BCONDUP • The received APRS data may include information on an object such as a hurricane or tornado. In this case, the name of the object appears instead of a call sign.
ACCESSING RECEIVED APRS DATA This transceiver is capable of receiving and storing APRS data from up to 40 stations in memory. You can select the desired station and access the desired information, by switching the display. 1 Press [LIST]. • The display for selecting a station appears. •...
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ST STA CON Fixed station q Transmit power q Transmit range w Height of antenna (elevation) ’ : Feet M: Meter e Antenna gain r Antenna directivity omni: Omnidirectional ST STA CON ST STA CON Fixed station Mobile station q Wind direction q Altitude w Wind speed (mile or km)
This transceiver is capable of displaying the following 19 icons as station IDs. When icon data other than these is received, the display will show an icon code such as /$ or \$. Some icons may appear with overlay characters as below if the received icon data includes them.
SELECTING YOUR STATION ICON Select an icon which will be displayed on the monitors of other stations as your ID. You may select an icon depending on your current location. 1 Press [MENU] to enter Menu mode. 2 Press [2], [8] to select “2–8 (ICON)”. ST STA CON 3 Press [UP]/ [DWN] to select from 15 icons plus “OTHERS”, then press [OK].
PROGRAMMING POSITION DATA This transceiver has 3 memory channels for storing position data. Program latitude and longitude data for up to 3 locations from which you will often transmit APRS data. Note: Grid squares were developed to shortly identify locations anywhere on the Earth.
15 As necessary, press [OK] then repeat steps 3 to 14 to store in up to 3 memory channels. 16 Press [MENU] to exit Menu mode. To select and set from up to 3 programmed channels, repeat steps 1 to 3. In step 3 press [UP]/ [DWN] to select the desired channel, then press [ Note: If you have selected “NMEA”...
STORING STATUS TEXT Status text is another comment to transmit with position data. Unlike a position comment, you can make any desired comment using a maximum of 20 alphanumeric characters. This transceiver has 3 memory channels for preprogramming. Note: Attaching a long comment can double the size and length of the packet.
It does not matter whether or not the subsequent 4 digits match. The default on this transceiver is APK002; K002 stands for KENWOOD Ver. 2. Note: APRS packets, which are generated via various methods, include various codes instead of group codes. Using “All calls” allows you to receive packets which include the following codes.
PROGRAMMING A PACKET PATH A packet path specifies how APRS data should be transferred via one or more repeaters. A repeater, which is used for packet transfer, is commonly called a digipeater. This came from a digital repeater. A digipeater is usually located on a mountain top or high building.
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Let us describe five basic methods for editing a packet path. Methods 3 to 5 are supported only by advanced APRS networks. Method 1 (Specific Path): Program the call signs of one or more digipeaters in the sequence of transfer relay; ex. “KD6ZZV,KF6RJZ”. Method 2 (Generic Path): Program RELAY and/or WIDE;...
SELECTING PACKET TRANSMIT METHOD Select the operation method for transmitting APRS data. The table concludes how operations differ depending on the selection: 1 Access Menu 2–C (DATA TX), then press [OK]. 96 96BCONDUP ST STA CON 2 Press [UP]/ [DWN] to select Manual (default), PTT, or Auto.
SELECTING PACKET TRANSMIT INTERVAL You can change the interval for automatically transmitting APRS data. Access Menu 2–D (TX INTERVAL) and select 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 minutes. The default is 5 minutes. 96 96BCONDUP ST STA CON Note: With “AUTO”...
PROGRAMMING POSITION AMBIGUITY There may be cases where you do not know or do not want to report your precise locations. For position data, you can select the number of digits not to be included in your packets. Access Menu 2–5 (POS AMBIGU) and select 1 to 4, or OFF (default).
The APRS supports a function for transmitting and receiving a message independent of position reports. You can transmit a message to a single station only or a bulletin to all other stations in your group. If you specify a station, the entered message is transmitted up to 5 times until an acknowledgment is returned.
RECEIVING A MESSAGE Each time a proper message is received, the frequency display is interrupted to show information as below: 96 96BCON BCONDUP STA CON Indicator • The display shows only the first 24 characters of the message. • The transceiver restores the frequency display after approximately 10 seconds pass or when you press any key.
ACCESSING RECEIVED APRS MESSAGES This transceiver is capable of storing a maximum of 16 messages in memory. You can access the desired massage by switching the display. 1 Press [MSG]. 2 Press [UP]/ [DWN] to select “LIST”. ST STA CON 3 Press [OK].
ENTERING A MESSAGE To transmit a message, first enter the call sign of the target station. To transmit a bulletin, enter “BLN#” instead; where # must be 0 to 9 or A to Z. When the length of your bulletin exceeds 45 digits, you may transmit more than one packet to send the entire bulletin.
TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE When entry of a message (or bulletin) is completed, this transceiver automatically starts transmitting it at intervals of 1 minute. With a message entered, the transceiver repeats transmitting up to 5 times until an acknowledgment is returned. With a bulletin entered, the transceiver always repeats transmitting 5 times;...
PROGRAMMING A GROUP CODE Use a message group code to exchange messages only among your group members. With one or more message group codes programmed, you will receive messages that include the same group code(s), besides messages addressed to you. You can program any desired code using up to 9 alphanumeric characters.
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On a TH-D7A(G), the menu configuration under TNC (1–4–), AUX (1–5–), and APRS (2–) has been revised as below. For the reference pages in parentheses, see the other instruction manual (original). t i s t i s MENU REVISIONS c i t l l a y t i / l l...
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t i s t c i i t n / F C — — / l l i t n o l i e l i — —...
Besides APRS functions, the TH-D7A(G) has several functions improved or newly added, as below. You may refer to the given pages to identify differences from a TH-D7A. BAND A & B Without switching ON the TNC, you will not see “ ” which indicates the current data band.
ADJUSTING VOLUME BALANCE The TH-D7A(G) allows you to adjust volume balance even after blanking one band. Refer to page 48 on the other instruction manual (original). SELECTING DATA BAND When accessing a PACSAT, access Menu 1–4–1 (PACKET BAND) and select “A:TX B:RX” (or “A:RX B:TX”).
DCD SENSE The TH-D7A(G) provides three methods for inhibiting the built-in TNC from transmitting. Access Menu 1–4–2 (DCD SENSE) and select one of the methods. The default is “ BAND”. Refer to page 55 on the other instruction manual (original). The tables below conclude when the TNC is allowed to transmit, depending on the selection.