Kenwood TH-D74A/E Operating Tips page 20

2 ENJOYING APRS (by BOB BRUNINGA, WB4APR)
Individual Information Access
The KENWOOD individual radio displays enhance the distribution of ham radio
information to a large number of users by giving them individual front panel and keypad
access to all of the online APRS data.
A common mistake of fixed operations with computers is the use of large display screens
for large groups to see but which fails to recognize the individual needs of a given viewer
and the depth of information available under each symbol on the map.
The individuality of APRS radios with individual displays spreads this data access
throughout the users in the field.
Overlay Characters on all Symbols
The KENWOOD TH-D74A/E shows the overlay character of all symbols, not just the
original subset of special symbols.
This provides hundreds of new symbol combinations for better APRS application to new
uses.
Voice Operating Frequencies
A very important feature of the new TH-D74A/E is the recognition of the value of the voice
operator frequency as a fundamental communications parameter.
Not only does the radio automatically include its own voice band frequency in every
transmitted position packet, it also has special displays and features that make this
information readily available. For example, the station list can be sorted to bring
Frequency Objects to the top of the list in frequency order. Further, the radio can tune to
these frequencies for quick QSO with a single press of the "Tune" menu.
EchoLink, IRLP, Winlink or D-STAR Frequencies
The TH-D74A/E "Tune" function not only makes rapid QSY to another station operator
easy, it also facilitates quick tuning to nearby EchoLink, IRLP, Winlink or D-STAR
frequencies with the push of a single key.
Future use of this capability is anticipated to automatically and seamlessly integrate
callsign-to-callsign calling from RF via local, national and global ham radio VoIP and
D-STAR systems.
Notes:
If all you think of when you hear the word APRS is maps and stagnant icons, then you are
not using the full potential of APRS.
If all of the local information that can be of immediate value to the APRS HT or mobile
operator is not showing up in your local area, then get active and get involved in supplying
this content and updating all local digipeaters to supply it direct to users without multiple
hops.
APRS is a communication tool, not just an automated map. Use it. But in most cases,
that means entering data, not just watching it.
KENWOOD has provided the APRS handheld and mobile information display capability, it is
up to us to provide content!
September 2017
WB4APR Bob Bruninga
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