APRS

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:34 pm

Does anyone know anything about APRS? Just learned about it. Anyone ever used it?

Apparently it some sort of automatic reporting system that uses ham radio to report position. Then you can check your track on the Internet at several sites that have been set up for this. I know of at least one person planning on installing one in his aircraft for VFR tracking in case he goes down. His wife knows to check on the Internet if he ever doesn't show up.

Looks very interesting.

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:09 am

I've messed with it, and I have a 2M handheld radio with a built in TNC that'll do packet radio, and APRS just by hooking up an nmea gps. I've had it for ages, never thought about using it for the plane, good idea though!

Post by **Spike** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:14 am

That is a pretty cool idea.

dons · Post by **dons** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:47 pm

While I have never done APRS myself, I have used all the equipment involved and watched some of my friends drive around in Canada and the US. If the system isn't going obsolete by the time I finish my RV, I will be looking at putting in. (ve3icd)

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:39 pm

The components for it seem pretty small and inexpensive. Wouldn't be a bad investment. I may look into doing something like this now that I have some hams to learn from.

Leighton · Post by **Leighton** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:30 pm

http://www.thirtythousandfeet.com/track.htm

look about halfway down the page, there is a product list.

I know of several large helicopter operators using similar products out in the jungle, (helicopter logging) and seem pretty happy with it. You can log onto the website, plug the aircraft rego in and get realtime feeds of what the machine is doing. I can find out the exact name of the product for you if you wish.

is certainly a good idea if a lot of your flying is over bush / mountains.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:55 pm

My flying is like that. There is a lot of nothing between California and anything to the east. I do a lot of flying over the foothills and flight following is useless in those areas. If you know of a good product I'd like to hear about it.

Leighton · Post by **Leighton** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 5:38 pm

Hey Scott,

http://www.blueskynetwork.com/

This is the setup the lads are using in Malaysia. Nothing but mountain flying, and they're generally stooging round at no more than 2 or 300ft AGL with a longline underneath. Seem to be having good results with it.

Service offers some kind of real time satelite flight monitoring, plus a satphone / sms capability.

Hope this helps.

Leighton.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:52 pm

Thanks!