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This is my new Yaesu VX-8R radio, A small but rugged and waterproof handheld which has a built-in GPS chip in its speaker mike and not only displays my location (in lat/long, WGS 84) on its screen, but can also send it via APRS, to the entire world, given it can reach an internet gate (i-gate).If its transmissions make it to an i-gate, my position can be checked on several websites including my own K9CHP. Just scroll down to the Where am I page.
But even if I am truly hiking in the boonies, my VX-8R can transmit my position to my truck where it will be kept both on the Kenwood TM-700a mobile radio and the Garmin 60CS GPS. The TM-700a is now out of production and has been replaced by the RC-D710
Another possibility is to use my Kenwood TH-D7AG handheld radio that can be connected to my Garmin 60CSx GPS. This is the seup shown below. I trd using it in the field but the radio is fragile and not waterproof, so you have to protect it a lot and the connecting cable not only tends to get snagged but disconnects quite often, so the entire setup is of questionable field value. But it can be left at base and now they can have a precise idea of my whereabouts and anybody elxe using APRS in that area.
I can also connect the TH-D7AG/60CSx to a laptop and have the locations appear on screen. But the software I use needs internet connection to work at its best, so it won't be functional everywhere. The TH-D7AG is now out of production.
And here you can see how my location looks like on the GPS screen. The blue flag is the last waypoint received. I did change the scale to a large display so the new waypoint will be distinct from the existing ones. But even if it is not clear enough on screen, find waypoints near current location will give the desired results.
I hope to put the system into use in SAR training with Eagle Valley Search Dogs. The nice thing is that the VX-8R can be used by a person without an Amateur Radio licence as it is a simple remote APRS beacon and I will be its control operator. The person carrying it will not have access to any function other than turning the unit off, if so requested on our SAR network.
I can also connect the TH-D7AG/60CSx to a laptop and have the locations appear on screen. But the software I use needs internet connection to work at its best, so it won't be functional everywhere. The TH-D7AG is now out of production.
And here you can see how my location looks like on the GPS screen. The blue flag is the last waypoint received. I did change the scale to a large display so the new waypoint will be distinct from the existing ones. But even if it is not clear enough on screen, find waypoints near current location will give the desired results.
I hope to put the system into use in SAR training with Eagle Valley Search Dogs. The nice thing is that the VX-8R can be used by a person without an Amateur Radio licence as it is a simple remote APRS beacon and I will be its control operator. The person carrying it will not have access to any function other than turning the unit off, if so requested on our SAR network.
Is it possible to connect the VX-8R to a garmin or other GPS to visualize the incoming packets? I know this is possible with the Kenwood. Would like to ask a few other questions about the VX-8R if possible ... ortelius@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJeff
Well at this time there isn't a way to connect any devices other than the remote mike/GPS, the GPS or another VX-8 for cloning. If I need to visualize a contact, I can always enter it on my navigation GPS, but the VX-8 gives me direction speed and range for every contact, just not point on the map.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased the VX-8 and love it for all the features. However, I only had mixed luck with the APRS tracking. If you have been successful, can you tell me what settings you are using so that I might verify?
ReplyDeleteKD0HIP
Well I just checked your APRS activity and I see some:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.db0anf.de/app/aprs/stations/mobile-KD0HIP-7
That means your signal is coming out. Your setting may need a little tweaking in the menu 15 APRD DIGI PATH for a WIDE1,1 first then WIDE2,1 in the second entry. See if that works for you but but also remember that while moving in a vehicle, windows closed (I bet you are using AC down there) your signal is not at its best. If you have to use a handheld in a vehicle, connect it to a relatively inexpensive mag mount 1/4 wave SMA antenna and you'll see a whale of a difference.
Thanks for the response. I agree the "in vehicle" resistance with the rubber ducky is a problem. I have the path set as wide 1-1, then wide 2-2 and I have never seen it hit on wide 1-1. That was the default setting on the radio and it is what I have used in the past, but I am confused as to why I am not hitting a wide 1-1 at all. My guess is that lack of connection is responsible for a lot of the problem. Suggestions are appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAre you using the stock rubber ducky? If so replace it with a Comet 24 SMA or a Smiley 270A or such and you may get luckier. None of my APRS signals make it from my driveway, neither HT or D700 at high power in the truck, yet the other day I was cleaning the RV and the VX-8's APRS signals made it through. The VX-8 was on the dinette table. And I can repeat the experiment and be successful most of the time. I guess antenna height above the ground was just right to give me all the possible gain, well on a 1/4 wave probably as little loss as possible.
ReplyDelete