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RPC Electronics YagTracker User Manual

Mobile aprs terminal and tracker
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YagTracker
Mobile APRS Terminal and Tracker
User's Manual
Firmware V1.45 - REV A.

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Summary of Contents for RPC Electronics YagTracker

  • Page 1 YagTracker Mobile APRS Terminal and Tracker User’s Manual Firmware V1.45 - REV A.
  • Page 2 Table of Contents Introduction Package Contents Basic Device Overview User Interface LCD Layout Rotary Encoder Functions Features Screens Menus On-Screen Keyboard Beacon Histograph Interface Connections Power Radio Getting Started Powering up for the First Time Mobile Setup Home/Fixed Setup Modem Setup Transmit Audio Receive Audio Messaging...
  • Page 3 Friend List SmartBeaconing Fill-In/Relay Digipeater KISS Modem Mode NMEA/KISS Dual Mode System Information Map Screen Range Rings Map Screen Detailed Information Firmware Updating...

  • Page 4: Package Contents

    APRS user that wishes to have a visual presentation of the APRS network activity at their fingertips. The YagTracker compares in many ways to the Kenwood RC-D710 and is a great alternative at a much smaller price.
  • Page 5 3. Basic Device Overview a. User Interface The YagTracker has a very simple user interface to eliminate the need for multiple buttons, knobs and other controls. Learning some simple methods with the rotary encoder will allow you to navigate the YagTracker’s screens, menus and other functions with just a spin of of your fingers.
  • Page 6 b. LCD Layout - Home Screen c. Rotary Encoder Functions The rotary encoder is a detent-less (no clicking) encoder with a built-in momentary switch. Pushing in the on the knob will activate this switch. You will hear and feel a small “click”...
  • Page 7 4. Features This section of the manual will cover the many features of the YagTracker, including screen views, menus and other major features useful to the user. a. Screens There are currently five screens implemented in the YagTracker firmware. These...
  • Page 8 Menus There are two kinds of menus used in the YagTracker firmware: Pop-Up: These menus are activated while on one of the main screens by pushing in the rotary encoder switch momentary. If a menu is available, it will pop up in a small window.
  • Page 9 On-Screen Keyboard The method of inputting text on the YagTracker is a compromise between having a full keyboard and rotating through the alphabet for every single character. Once familiar with how the on-screen keyboard works, you should find it fairly easy to enter text into the YagTracker.
  • Page 10 d. Beacon Histograph The Beacon Histograph is a very useful tool to determine how well you and others are utilizing the local network digipeaters. The Beacon Histograph keep a running log of the digipeat count per packet of both your own beacons and other’s in the local network. The display shows the last sixteen packets for each.

  • Page 11: Interface Connections

    5. Interface Connections All connections to the YagTracker are made through a single DB9 connector on the right side of the unit, just below the power switch. Pinout Descriptions 1. Modem Transmit - Transmit audio to radio 2. Modem Receive - Receive audio from radio 3.
  • Page 12 a. Power b. Radio c. GPS...
  • Page 13 YagTracker for the first time. a. Powering Up for the First Time When you power up the YagTracker for the first time, you will be presented with the station setup menu. This menu is used to set the Callsign, Path, Icon, Comment and...
  • Page 14 Path - Path best suited for your APRS network (Example: WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1) Icon - Sets the icon that will be displayed with your call Status - Can be any short info for your station (Example: YagTracker V1.5) MIC-E - This function can be turned on to compress your packet ●...
  • Page 15 7. Modem Setup There are two menu options available to fine tune the YagTracker modem for use with any VHF or UHF FM transceiver. The modem is capable of receive and transmit 1200 baud data. The connections can be made through the microphone and external speaker connections and are fairly forgiving.
  • Page 16 b. Receive Audio ● The receive audio menu is used to set the internal amplifier gain. There are two settings: 1. Preamp (Coarse) - Click on the rotary encoder switch to toggle between the four small boxes in the bottom right. 2.
  • Page 17 8. Messaging Messaging with the YagTracker is very versatile. You can access the messaging option either through the Message Chat screen or through the main menu. 1. Inbox - Contains all messages addressed to you. 2. Send - Use to initiate an outgoing message 3.
  • Page 18 c. Message Chat ● The message chat window will allow you to view all message between you and a station. ● Clicking the rotary encoder button will present a pop-up menu to initiate a message, view messages or clear the Inbox.

  • Page 19: Advanced Features

    9. Advanced Features The advanced features listed in this section are not required to use the YagTracker, but make using it more enjoyable. a. Station List Sorting and Filtering ● When viewing the station list, bring up the pop up window will give you the option to modify the sorting method.
  • Page 20 On any screen, click the rotary knob to bring up a pop-up menu. Choose the GPS option to view the first of three GPS screen. Use the push and turn method with the rotary encoder to change from one screen to another. ●...
  • Page 21 c. Track Back Track back is used to track back to fixed or meet up with a mobile APRS station. By selecting the station from the station list, you are given up to the second information on how to get to that station.
  • Page 22 d. Map Callsign View When view the Map Plot screen, you can view the callsign and distance of a station by clicking the rotary encoder switch and choosing the Show Callsign menu option. ● The callsign/range label will start on the station closest to you. Rotate the rotary encoder clockwise to switch the label from the closest out through progressively further stations.
  • Page 23 Friend List The YagTracker has a Friends List feature that allows for quick recall of those stations you message, track and view regularly. Adding a friend to your list is easy by using the pop-up menu when viewing a station...
  • Page 24 f. SmartBeaconing™ SmartBeaconing™ is a smart beaconing scheme developed by Steve Bragg KA6MVA and Tony Arnerich KD7TA. It was originally developed for the HamHUD project but was quickly adopted as the “smart beaconing” algorithm standard now used on countless APRS tracking devices and hardware. SmartBeacoing™...
  • Page 25 Fill-In/Relay Digipeater The YagTracker has a fill-in/relay style digipeater function built in to utilize it in a low digipeater coverage area. ● Enable the digpeater function by changing the “N” to “Y”. ● Set the alias to a name that will be used in the alternate device’s UNPROTO path.
  • Page 26 KISS Modem Mode The YagTracker can be used as a KISS modem for both transmitting and receiving using an external computer or other portable computing device. Selecting the “Serial Mode” setting will bring up a port mode pop-up menu. Selecting...
  • Page 27 Selecting the “Serial Speed” setting will bring up a pop-up menu to select the port baud rate.
  • Page 28 YagTracker everytime. In this mode, the external device is transparent since it’s not sending any data to the YagTracker, simply using the KISS output from the YagTracker as a live data feed of all on-air data received via RF.
  • Page 29 j. System Information The system information screen shows you the overall use of the system’s memory, transmitted packets and received packets.
  • Page 30 k. Map Screen Range Rings When enabled, range rings can be added to the map plot screen to show stations at the displayed range (outer ring) and half range (inner ring). The range distance shown in the top right of the screen is the current outer ring range distance. Clicking in on the rotary encoder will bring up a pop-up menu.
  • Page 31 l. Map Screen Detailed Information The map plot screen can display information in all four corners of the screen, as well as the bottom center. ● Top Left - Rotating compass rose. Always shows orientation of the map. ● Top Right - Current range being viewed. ●...
  • Page 33 2. Make sure to have the latest firmware version available online. (Available at http://www.rpc-electronics.com/yagtracker.php) 3. Using the same pins used to connect the GPS to the YagTracker, construct a loading cable. This cable will be used to connect the tracker to the serial port of the loading computer.