All good points. I have a couple of additions:

Cell phones do not offer a "one to many" capablity.  With cell's you have to call each user in turn to put out a broadcast message.  On a ham net all users get the same information, from one source, at the same time.

Also touched on was "frequency agility".  We are also mode agile, so a single source of intereference (incidental or intentional)  is not likely to take all of our links down.

73

Randy KAØAZS
EC Montgomery County Ohio ARES

The D-700 will digipeat.  The default is off, but you can enable it through the menu.

In our area, Amateur radio has been primarily used in supporting SAR teams, not providing the primary SAR teams.  

  We've been used to provide a common communication mode between various groups (Law Enforcement, Urban Search and Rescue Team, Mounted SAR team) that didn't use a common system.  SELECTED hams have also provided additional manpower for activities as searchlines.

  In some cases (missing child search) where large numbers of civilian volunteers have shown up and were going to hit the fields with or without official approval, we've sent hams along with each group so the served agency at least has an idea of where they are, and to provide "secondary" SAR if needed. (I once went out with a group like this, in the middle of an Ohio July day, where I was the only person in the group that brought any water with them!)

  I always emphasize to our local folks that we are NOT first repsonders, we are communicators, providing auxillary comms to served agencies WHEN THEY REQUEST IT.  I agree with an earlier comment that having an FCC license does not make you automatically an assett to a SAR effort.  Check your local authorities to see how it's handled in your area (CAP, LE team, volunteer SAR group, etc.)and then follow up with that group.

73

Randy Allen KAØAZS
EC, Montgomery County Ohio

Oh, missed the part about you using JAVA maps at the library computer.

  The problem is probably the way the firewall for the library is congigured.  I can't display realtime java maps at work for that reason.

73

Randy KAØAZS

I guess the first question is what kind of equipment are you planning to use for APRS.

The icons displayed on an APRS screen are generated at the receiving station based on information embedded in the packet.  The display on the recieving end is controlled by the APRS software your are using.

The icon on the transmitter side is controlled by the software you are using, either the APRS software, the firmware of the hardware used (if it's one of the Kenwood or Alinco APRS radios), or my manually formating the packet when you set up the TNC parameters (if using a dumb, that is transmit only, tracker),

  There is a defined set of symbols, don't know if a coathanger is one of them.

 Some places to research:

http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/iss-aprs/issicons.txt

http://nwaprs.org/symbols.htm

http://www.dididahdahdidit.com/

As for the frequency, most folks place that in their Status text (For instance, I put in "monitoring 146.520" when traveling)

I hope this helps

73

Randy KAØAZS

Look for a GPS with NMEA 0183 output.  You can wire a stero plug (one comes with the D-700, forget the size) to provide input to the D-700. You can then hook up your laptop to the 9 Pin serial port on the radio to either a serial port on the Laptop (if available) or using a USB-Serial convertor.  You mapping software then pulls the GPS data from the D-700 TNC. Or at least, the APRS software (DOS, WINAPRS, and APRS+SA) does.  Haven't tried it without an APRS client in the loop.  You might also be able to "Y" the data cable, one leg feeding the cable and one feeding the laptop.

  I've good success with Garmins: GPS-II+, III+ and and the original Street Pilot.  You can find them used for a reasonable price and work well for me.  The current versions if you have the money would be the GPS-V and StreetPilot III+ Make sure they are set up (in their system menu) for NMEA/NMEA output, not the default Garmin Interface output.

  Set the D-700 into TNC PKT mode to use external software, and TNC APRS to run APRS without and external computer.

Hope this helps

73

Randy KAØAZS

You could use any Simplex frequency for both voice and APRS on one freq.  Your ground crew would just ignore the packet bursts.  However, as I don't recommend that you do this  on the national 144.39 freq, you would lose the benefit of the APRS digipeater network.

A more expesive option would be a Kenwood THD-7 handheld and a  GPS.  I believe you can do voice on one freq and APRS on 144.39 other simultaneously, the APRS side holding off packet transmissions while you are transmiting voice.  At least that's how it's big brother, the TM-D700 mobile works.

Either way, good luck and welcome to the hobby!

73

Randy KAØAZS

I love the Kenwood D700 for day to day mobile operations.  I hook up a laptop with APRS+SA or DOS APRS depending on the situation when I need mapping

Any GPS with NMEA data out will work.  I'd choose 1 with provisions for an external remote antenna and external power for vehicle opearations.  I've used GPS-II+ and Street Pilot units with my D-700 and both worked fine.

Units with NMEA  data in will allow you to display received stations on your GPS screen, which can be handy during special events, but I don't bother on a daily basis.

Alinco has a 2 meter radio and has just announced a dual band radio with built in TNC's as an option that you can run as stand alone trackers or with a PC.

 If you just want a dumb tracker (output only), go with the Tiny Trak unit (www.byonics.com)

If you want a 2 way unit with discrete components, I'd look at the KPC-3+ for the TNC, any 2 meter radio with 5 watts or better, and a laptop that runs your favorite flavor of APRS software.

Hope that helps.

73

Randy KAØAZS

The basic steps

1.  Wire the GPS into the D700 and set parameters per the Specialized Communications Manual.

2. Get a straight through (not null modem) 9Pin serial connector to hook to the serial port of your laptop.

3. Make sure the D-700 is set to TNC PKT, not TNC APRS when running with the laptop

4.  Start you favorite flavor of APRS. TNC Intialization files are listed as D7,  700, etc depending on the software.  Check documentation or APRSIG archives at TAPR.  

5. Keep your eyes on the road when driving!!

That's the basics.  Some tweaking may be required (the devil is always in the details.)  Hope this helps.

73
Randy KAØAZS

Kantronics KPC-3+, Version 8.2 or better.

Compact

Has seperate GPS port in the 9 Pin radio connector, making it easier to set up a mobile APRS station. (you make a "Y" cable of the 9 pin, one tail goes to the Radio, one to the GPS, use 25 Pin for Computer)

Can be set up as a dumb tracker (no computer needed other than the original programming)

Can be be programmed as a portable digipeater

Will accept a range of innput voltage (including the ability to use an internal 9v battery)

I've got 2, specifically for APRS work (portable packet as a secondary function) and have been satisfied with them.

73

Randy KAØAZS

KE4SKY wrote:

"As a sailor who remembers "Red On Right Returning" to port, I would wire mine with Red On Right Returning" to the rig, but I've seem them done other ways. "

  If I read that correctly, that is backwards from the standard I've seen for most of the groups I've seen that have adopted the APP as standard (which, of course proves your point).

  The overwhelming majority of the groups I'm familiar with have adopted the California RACES standard:

"Housings should be mated according to the diagram above, viewing from the contact side (opposite the wire side), tongue down, hood up, RED on the LEFT, BLACK on the RIGHT. Use a 3/32-inch-diameter roll pin, 1/4 inch long, to keep the housings from sliding apart."

(Source: http://www.ocraces.org/powerpole.html)

 And, of course, you should always check with a meter first (We all keep at LEAST 1 multi-meter in our deployment kits, right?)

73

Randy KAØAZS

My understanding from a discussion on an ARES news group a year of so ago was that the ARRL was going to drop the references to the MOLEX connectors as standard in the new edition of the manual (don't know when it is to be released).  I don't know if they have any plans to adopt a new standard. Many local ARES/RACES groups have adopted it as a standard.

See our local ARES web site for more details and links:

http://www.qsl.net/ohd3ares/equip.htm#APP

73 and Good Luck

Randy KAØAZS

Have you tried updating the software?  I think DOS is up to 8.5 or so.  Try that and see if it helps.  If not e-mail me see if we can work it out.

Day to Day, keep tabs on the network, get realtime weather observations, casual QSO's (either Keyboard to Keyboard or usin KB-KB to set up a voice frequency)and practice with the software and hardware in preperation for emergency or Public Service use.  Oh, and a primary purpose of amateur radio, it's fun! (at least for me). Basically same as with any other amateur radio mode I play with.

  For public service use: Track tail end charlie in marathons or bike races/tours (obviously equipment is in the "SAG Wagon" not on the participant), put out bulletins to event participants, tactical one liner comms with other APRS stations in the event, all without tying up the voice frequenc(ies) with long winded explanations of location when net control can see it at a glance on their terminal. Receive and transmit weather bulletins and Net status messages (ex: "ARES Net active on 145.11 supporting ice storm recovery")

Emergency Ops:  All of the above, but with more urgency.

In this area:

Weekly ARES net that practices formal net control protocols, and we periodically explain why and how we use these proceedures in a real world situation.  Also a place to give new folks a try at net control duties in a low stress situation.

We use formal net proceedures during the majority of our public service events.  Again, help ingrain habits and give newbies a chance to act as NCS.

  We also have a formal "ARES 101" presentation that has been given to many of the local clubs.  It also goes into net proceedures, most importantly WHY we do things the way we do.