I couldn't get to 144.390. I did a VFO reset and the problem is gone. I got it on the air last night.

Thanks

Lewis KM5BH

Alright, this is probably just some kind of disconnect between my ears somewhere, but I cannot get my D700 setup for APRS. I have read the answers here and went to AJ3U's and TAPR websites. Both have lots of good info and it appears to be clear what I need to do to get this radio to transmit the packets I need to get on the network. I'm just not getting it apparently. I even read the manual.
I have gone through the menus and set things up as I think they should be and I am not getting into the system. At least I can't find myself after I set it up> (Several Times!)

I have read through the old messages here and at other sites. I have now come, hat in hand, (Does that age me?) begging for assistance. I need help to get this thing working.

The first thing I need to do is figure out how to get the radio on the APRS frequency. I have tried to dial it in and it will not go there. The VFO bottoms out at 145 MHz. I set the band limits from 142 MHz to 174 and it reverts to a default of 145 MHz to 174 MHz. I have done this on the front panel and with Link700. I guess that this a good place to start. I programmed in 144.390, the program took it, it shows to be the right frequency in the list and I set it up for Channel #1. After the upload, it appears on the radio as the next higher channels frequency. 145.110 MHz. Does anyone know why this is happening? I think that this will solve my problems when I get this straightened out.

I’ll try to enter what my settings are and I would appreciate any advice. I am getting this out of Link700 since the radio isn’t available to me right now.

1 - My Call – KM5BH
2 - GPS – NOT USED (Not Yet Anyway, One thing at a time)
3 - Waypoint – Off
4 - My Position – My LAT/LONG for my home
5 - Position Ambiguity – Off
6 - Position Comment – Off Duty
7 - Reception Restriction – 0 Miles
8 - Icon – Pickup
9 - Status Text – (Left Blank)
A - Status Test Transmit Rate – Off
B – Packet Path – Wide1-1, Wide2-1
C – Packet Transmit Method – Auto
D – Packet Transmit Interval – 3 Minutes
E – Group Code – Unprotocal – APK101
F – Beep – All
G – Distance units – Miles
H – Temperature Units – F
I – Data Band – A Band
J – Packet Transfer Rate – 1200 bps
K – Digapeater – Not Checked – Off
L – Digapeating Path – SGATE, WIDE,RELAY
M – Auto Answer – Not Checked – Off
N – Reply Message – Left Blank
O – Bulletin Group – Left Blank
P – Message Group – ALL,QST,CQ,SKY*,BLN*,NWS*

I intend to cross post this to try to get a quicker reply. I hope that doesn’t offend, but I am getting frustrated.

Thanks for any response.

Lewis KM5BH

Thanks for all the replies. I'll use these to improve what I had previously. What I really need is a small farm north of town. It would make life do much easier.

Thanks,

Lewis KM5BH

I need an opinion or two bfore I get in over my head.

I had a station up and running and then lost the antennas in a storm and just let other things rule my life for the last few years. I have decided  that it is time to get back on the air. I'm going to do it different this time. I am putting the antennas first and them I will worry about the fancy electronics.

My backyard has a pool that encompasses most of the free space. There should be some metal wire in that concrete, but I doubt that is is grounded very well if at all.
Do you think this will work as a decent counterpoise in the place of a radial system? The patio around it combined with the pool takes in about 90 degrees of the ground out to about 50 feet. After that it is garage, driveways, and nieghbors yards. the other 270 degress is typical subdivision. My house, driveway and then the nieghbors. There just isn't anyway to lay out a decent radial system.

I have an 80 meter wire that I need to put back up. It tops out at about 36 feet, then runs 40 foot at about 45 degrees to the south before it catches a bird feeder at 12 feet and then I bend it before it heads down to the top of the fence and west to the end. The other leg does the same except that it I get about 60 foot before I bend it and take it down to the fence. I call it my dipole on it's knees. I figure it is offerring up a prayer everytime I key the microphone.

I want to know if this will be satisfactory or if I should lean toward a vertical. I also have the requissite 2m/70cm antenna up as well. The pole that holds the 2m antenna is what is hold ng the wire up.

Any suggestions? I am more than willing to listen.

Lewis (KM5BH)

I have a DM-700A and this weekend one of the grandchidren managed to pull the right hand volume knob off the radio. I must have been kicked it out at one the stops and lost it.
Is there a good aource for parts such as this? I can go to the dealer, but that's 200 miles away and i would prefer to mail order it.

Thanks,

Lewis (KM5BH)

Waterproofing is as easy as a zip-lock bag. I had a bare xm radio (SkiFi) on a Nomad for three years. The zip lock bag never failed. hehe

I read part of your website today and understand the concerns. The bike is going to be a problem I understand. I didn't realize that the ATAS-120 was such poor choice though. I's a shame since it fits the motorcycle so well.

Thanks for the use of the web site. It is going to be big help as I get back into mobile operation.

Lewis

KM5BH

Thanks for the reply. I understand the "get off". As a friend told me long ago If you ride, You will slide!

I recognize the ground plane problem and loss of efficiency involved. I really want to listen more than anything. Of course being able to talk when you find someone obviously wrong would be a good thing.

I'm looking at the ATAS-120 based on what the other fellow had on his wing. It was small and the tuning was easy. I read Alan's a bit of web site today and noted his disdain for the ATAS-120. This will probably lead to a different screwdriver and a different tuner. I still planning.

I want to run on 2m and 70 cm as well. That was another reason to consider the Yaesu antenna. I recognize a compromise but anything on the bike usually is.

I saw a Goldwing this Spring with a FT-857 mounted on it and have been intrigued ever since.
I ride a BMW K1200LT  and want to install the same on my bike. I ride cross country and this would be a great way to rid myself of some boredom as I drone down the interstate.
Does anyone here have any experience with mounting a FT-857 on a bike? I'm looking for noise issues, interface problems with intercom systems, or anything else that might raise it's ugly head.
I plan on using an ATAS-120 for the mobile antenna. I say this based on size and ease of tuning.
I'm also open to other suggestion since I haven't bought any of this yet.

Thanks,

Lewis KM5BH