Mike Rupp
Member Sponsor
 | | 01/13/2010 3:36 PM |
 Alert | Sorry, I should have been more specific. They don't have displays, they are just receivers. One of them plugs directly in the back of the faceplate, assuming that you will mount the unit on the dash so it will get a signal. The other has a cord.
All of the APRS work is done on the faceplate. It will give a station list of beacons received and I believe it will give a heading and distance to that beacon. It will also allow messages to be sent to the other stations.
It's been a while since I reviewed the Kenwood, but I believe that it will do all of that as well as being to be able to interface with 3rd party GPS devices. Assuming that's true, it appears that not only is the Kenwood a better radio, it is $65 less expensive as well. | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 01/13/2010 4:03 PM |
Alert | I have a Kenwood D710a that I am using to do bench testing of Overland Navigator's new APRS functionality. If you ever want to take a look at it, or even borrow it for a week, just let me know. It would give you a chance to move the faceplate to a few different locations to see how you felt about it.
One downside to the Kenwood from an OCD perspective is that you can't change the LED color of the handset to green... amber only. You can change the faceplate, but not the handset.
Craig
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Todd Eliason
Title Sponsor
| | 01/13/2010 4:26 PM |
Alert | man that IS OCD... Your right Mike, the nice thing about the kenwood is that it speaks NMEA with off the shelf GPS'... So they can import it natively. I have not looked in a long while, but at the time kenwood was the only one doing that without a separate TNC. I was actually hopeful about the Yaseu. | |
93 LR Defender 110
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Mike Rupp
Member Sponsor
| | 01/13/2010 4:37 PM |
Alert | I think the Yaesu model is targeted to the guy that just wants to put the thing on his dash and be good to go. Well, sort of. :)
The handset color wouldn't bother me. If the faceplate color couldn't be green, that would bug me.
Craig, I measured out the size of the Kenwood and Yaesu, and made little cutouts out of paper. Both seem to fit perfectly in the sunroof switch spot. | |
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Ben Bailey
| | 01/13/2010 4:43 PM |
Alert | | That would bug me too, I have my ScanGauge set to match the green of the instrument dials. I make my wife hold her pop can when it gets down below half because it rattles in the cup holder. | |
RBBailey
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 01/13/2010 5:10 PM |
Alert | Yes, and I'm the guy who custom ordered switches from the UK just to get them with the appropriate Land Rover green dash glow. :)
Mike - If you just want to play with it, see the docs, etc just let me know.
Craig | |
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Mike Rupp
Member Sponsor
| | 01/13/2010 5:13 PM |
Alert | | Thanks Craig. I might take you up on that. I downloaded the docs a while back and was impressed how thorough they are, especially the doc about APRS. Seeing how Yaesu came to market with their APRS dual bander is a let down, for sure. | |
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max chapman
| | 01/31/2010 1:50 PM |
Alert | Ok, forgive the newbie HAM questions but... I really dig the idea of APRS, and the Kenwood radio seems spendy but worth it...I think.
So, with Overland Navigator, using a USB GPS, how does this interface with the radio? I assume Radio to Laptop, but USB or?
I'd love to see one of these setup, because I am also trying to figure out a good Laptop configuration as well, and don't want more wires, and
crap all over the place like it is now in my rig.
Also antennas, what are the best, how long, and where is the best place to mount one?
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 01/31/2010 2:08 PM |
Alert | Max,
Yes, with a Kenwood D710a it will be:
GPS->Computer (Laptop or tablet)->Kenwood D710a's GPS port.
The new version of Overland Navigator has settings to configure both a GPS Input port and a GPS Output Port. Overland Navigator will pass the GPS lat/lon position info on to the radio which will automatically broadcast your location. When the radio hears others locations, it will funnel this information back to Overland Navigator over the same wire. Overland Navigator will then plot the heard station on the screen.
If you get a Samsung Q1 or An Asus UMPC the GPS is built into the Tablet/Netbook which reduces the number of wires you have to run (No GPS Wire).
The cable that goes between the Laptop and the Radio is a "PC Programming Cable". The one from Kenwood has a Serial connector on the end of it which will require you to also purchase a USB To Serial converter cable. There was an eBay vendor that made very nice USB PC programming cables, so you only needed one cable, but he's sold out and I haven't been able to find a replacement (haven't looked very hard though).
Sounds like I might need to do a demo of this all setup for you guys either as a video or in person.
Craig
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max chapman
| | 01/31/2010 2:25 PM |
Alert | Thanks Craig, yah would love to see this in person. Anyhow, looks like I'll still have to deal with wires, cause I'd either use my current laptop, or a net book, not interested in a lot of cash on a tablet PC thing. Is the Kenwood D710a the only viable alternative to this btw? Also, to make sure I understand, if say we were trying to meet on the trail somewhere. I'd see a marker with your call sign? Can you update/transmit other data like a campsite icon or "watch out for this area" sort of thing. | | | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 01/31/2010 3:33 PM |
Alert | The Asus Netbooks that transform between a laptop profile and a tablet profile also have GPS units built in. It's amazing how fast this stuff is dropping in price.
There are a lot of setups that will work with Overland Navigator. The Kenwood D710a is the simplest and will allow you to see symbols rather than just dots representing each persons location. E.g. A car, a jeep, a semi truck, a police shield, a hospital sign, etc. There are a couple hundred different symbols in total. I don't actually have the symbols done yet though. Like the Garmin waypoint symbols I need to create an SVG file for each of these... I digress.
A regular dual band radio like the Icom 2720h or Icom 2820h and a TinyTracker3 TNC/APRS module will also work and show the enhanced information like symbols and direction of travel. This is a bit more complicated to setup, but there is one big advantage. I've been working with Byon, the owner of Byonicle who makes the TT3. We have it setup so you can plug a GPS into the TT3 and the TT3 into the radio. E.g.
GPS->TT3->Radio
The Computer would then only connect to the TT3. The TT3 would send NMEA0183 GPS data *AND* NMEA0183 APRS data. This means that you only have one wire running to the computer instead of 2. This also means the tracker can run, broadcasting your position even if the laptop isn't on w/ Overland Navigator isn't running. This is a non-standard setup but makes it a lot easier to pop the computer in/out of the truck at will, and always have APRS broadcast ability onboard. I'm still testing this setup.
As to your understanding... Yes, and no. Yes, if we were going to meet somewhere you'd see a marker with my call sign and it would move if I was moving. If someone else is transmitting campsite location or "Watch out for this area" sort of thing that can be seen too. Overland Navigator itself can't be used to transmit that sort of info though. This is because I implemented support for this using the standard GPS connectivity protocol called NMEA0183 instead of using the actual APRS protocol. It was a straighforward way for me to introduce this functionality and to get a better idea as to how it would work with the system. You can't send that sort of info with a Garmin GPS or any of the other GPS type APRS devices either. Only full blown APRS software such as Xastir or UIView support that. I don't really like the limitation though so....
I'm already warming to the idea of adding true APRS support. I'd really like to be able to use Overland Navigator to send waypoint info over the air, send text messages to other APRS users, and all the other fun APRS related stuff. If APRS turns out to be a popular feature, or if I get a wild hair I'll add that sort of support in.
Still, it's pretty powerful to be able to drive down the road and see waypoints dynamically popping up showing other peoples callsigns, where radio towers are, where the Forest Rangers office is, etc. Or in a caravan scenario it's pretty nice to be able to look down at your screen and have an idea as to which way the others have gone. If you are on the common APRS frequency and you can hit a repeater it also gates back to the internet which works like a SPOT. See http://aprs.fi
Craig
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max chapman
| | 01/31/2010 6:59 PM |
Alert | Well, this sounds like a good conversation topic over some beers! :) I got most of what you were saying I think. The update functionality sounds really powerful if it were to be included. Still this sounds like a handy tool.
"I'm already warming to the idea of adding true APRS support. I'd really like to be able to use Overland Navigator to send waypoint info over the air, send text messages to other APRS users, and all the other fun APRS related stuff. If APRS turns out to be a popular feature, or if I get a wild hair I'll add that sort of support in."
Warm , Warm pretty please. ;)
Also, again with the atena thing, what should I get or how tall? I figure if we were trying to communicate 20 miles or so, like at the Q last time? | | | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 01/31/2010 7:08 PM |
Alert | The antenna depends on what bands the radio supports. If you get a D710a then the Diamond NR770HB Dualband VHF/UHF Mobile Antenna (NR770HB) is a good one.
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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terrance bailey
| | 02/01/2010 8:06 PM |
Alert | i would really love to see the APRS coupled with overland navigator in action. i understand most of what you are saying about it but i am a hands on learner and it would make a whole lot more sense to me to see to see it and do it. i am looking into a new radio though dont have the cash set aside for one yet, so seeing diffrent set up options would be awesome. | | | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 02/01/2010 8:26 PM |
Alert | Terrance,
There isn't anything to "do" with Overland Navigator's APRS support. It just shows the positions of other mobiles it "hears". Just so there isn't any confusion, the version that plots APRS stations hasn't been released yet.
If I do a demo, it will be with a Kenwood D710a. While other setups will work, this is the only radio I have for bench testing/demos. My other setup is in the truck.
Craig
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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terrance bailey
| | 02/01/2010 8:58 PM |
Alert | i ment more how to set it up and how each of the parts works togeather | | | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
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Brett Curry
| | 02/19/2010 11:34 AM |
Alert | Just bought my first radio last night. Yaesu FT 530. It's not the newest but had some features I thought would be good. True dual band receive (2M & 440). This way I can monitor a repeater or weather while listening to the groups band. It is also capable of Cross Band Repeat. It came with a telescoping antenna and MH-29 mic. I also got a small amp (probably a cheapo) that is 30 watts. My plan is buy a diamond external dual band antenna to mount on the RRC and the amp inside. It is a 2M amp only which should serve well for group outings. Guess the amp won't help me on 440? I was going to buy a mobile but then I could only use it when I'm in the RRC. Figured I have enough to learn that an HT would make it easier to transfer between rigs, take in the work truck, etc.
Then when/if I'm ready for APRS, etc I'll get the mobile unit and have the HT for other stuff.
I got the radio, mic, owners manual, and amp for $125. Now I have to figure out how to use it! | | | |
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Mike Rupp
Member Sponsor
| | 02/19/2010 11:42 AM |
Alert | That's not a bad deal for all of that gear. I've used a 2m/70cm amp with my HT for years and it works quite well. I'll eventually get a mobile as well, but what you have will definitely get you going.
Now, learn how to use that radio and get on the air. | |
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Jay Erickson
Member Sponsor
| | 03/31/2010 5:46 PM |
Alert | I'm ready to pull the trigger on getting a ham radio so would like some input on a few questions & items I am seriously looking into.
I plan on driving down to HRO outside Portland and bombarding them with questions in hopes they can get me into the right equipment but figured the good folks on here could help me narrow the field or point me to something I hadn't even considered. My budget is right around $400 but that has to include everything...out the door, less is obviously better.
I love the geekiness of being able to do APRS, email, FRS/GMRS but realistically I only see that being useful a few times a year, mostly this will be just for linking up or back country playing around.
Radios:
Yaesu FT-7900R (HRO $279 + includes seperation kit)
What I like about it: price is in my ballpark, remote head unit, solid unit for basic commo.
Icom IC-208H (HRO $299.95, Sep kit is $60 on top)
Anyone compare this to the Yaesu above? Is it better/worse, the seperation kit for this radio adds at least another $60 to the price and for just a little more I could step up to the Yaesu FT-8900R instead. Antenna:
I have an ARB bumper with a couple mounting tabs on the cross sections. I was thinking this would be a good place to install a couple of removeable antenna's, one for 2m/440, one for cb however I'm concerned about my view, do you get used to having ants mounted on your front bumper or ?
I realize it'd be better if I could mount them to my roof mounted rack near the center of the truck but running the coax up there would be a serious pain versus the front bumper, how badly of a performance hit am I really taking as far as trail commo goes (ham or cb)? Are there any questions I should be asking that I'm not or equipment to consider? Thanks for any input. | |
Traded in all my project vehicles for my 2009 Xterra, not an ounce of buyers remorse. | |
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