KE4NYV
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Posts posted by KE4NYV
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How many hams are going to be geocashing after the hamvention each day? Just curious, I would love to do a group hunt there in Dayton itself, with a few other hams. I will be on 147.555 if anyone is interested in doing this as a group hunt. Ed N0WNV
I will be there as a vendor. Look for the "RPC Electronics" banner in the "gray" room. I'll probaly be too busy to go caching, but if a group gets together, I might pull away for a little while.
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The important question here is, what do YOU want to do with amateur radio? Do you want to hike out to God's country, get on HF and work stations all over with QRP power or do you want to hike into the woods and just casually scan the 2M band for local activity?
I ask these questions because you can see there is a big difference between the two. YOU need to decide what you want to do.
I have an 817 and I would not trade it for the world because of it's size and capability.
As for battery time, yeah, its a bit on the short side, but nothing a small gell-cell can fix. Oh and you can deffienently run packet from an 817! In fact, it has a nice feature that most mobiles dont, a packet port on the backside for an easy interface to a TNC. Bring along an Acer Aspire One mini laptop and you'll have one hell of a nice portable setup.
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Just a follow up on this thread. Picked up a VX-8R a couple of weeks ago. As a radio, it's awesome. I love the quad-band capability. Makes me wish I had never sold my VX-7R, but no biggie because this is a 7R on crack. More power on 220, built-in APRS function and thinner than the 7R. Not to mention, they got rid of that stupid cell-phone style swivel clip!
As for the GPS input question, so far my testing shows it uses some kind of Rockwell binary or similar format to talk to the internal TNC for APRS function. This won't keep me from looking for an alternative way to make it work, but for the time being, I am going to pick up the GPS mic and give it a go.
If you are looking for a solid HT with plenty of features, this is a great one to go with.
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There are also stand alone trackers that can be used while portable. Check out the MicroTrak by Byonics: http://www.byonics.com/microtrak/mtaio.php
We were actually the first to market with an All-In-One APRS device called the RTrak http://www.rpc-electronics.com/trackers.php Unfortunately, the MicroTrak devices are backed by Byonics, so his exposure is much better than mine. I have managed to combat that somewhat with my frequent setups at hamfests in my part of the US (mostly VA, NC, SC and WV). We also sell all of our other products at the shows, as well.
We have a new SAR version of this coming with a built-in GPS helix antenna and runs on two 9V batteries. We have made som strides in current consumption and managed to stretch out the useable time on a set of batteries.
On top of that, we have a new RTrak-Lite that is close to production that is basically an RTrak, minus the built-in transmitter. This is for everyone that wishes to have more power and decode capability. It DOES include the GPS module, so one less thing to buy and hook up to your setup.
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GPS input to the VX-8R appears to be provided by attaching the accessory GPS unit to the main radio - either directly or as part of the hand mic. This unit appears to be a stand-alone GPS providing NMEA 0183 sentences. (Which begs the question of "why can't I just hook up my eTrex?" Dunno.)
I have been making Garmin to Kenwood D7/700 cables for about 6 years now and when I saw the VX-8 for the first time at Dayton this year, that was my first question. "What is the GPS interface?" The folks at the booth told me that the unit they had for show had just been given to them that morning and they had very little info on it. I am still trying to find out what the interface is. The Kenwoods use a simple three wire serial interface that I use with my Garmin>Kenwood cables (http://www.rpc-electronics.com/kenwood.php)
So far, Yaesu has really been pushing their GPS/spk/mic that allows you to feed GPS NMEA data into the radio, but there has to be a way to do it without their overpriced version. That is what I am looking for because I want to provide that cable to Garmin users that own a VX-8 and wish to run APRS with them together.
Jason KE4NYV
RPC Electronics
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I have a zenith 12 band 1981 trans oceanic radio that , when turned on the dials and switches light up but the radio part dosnt work. I have no Idea how to fix this or what the problem is but i was wondering if anyone out there who cound fix this
Thanks
Being as old as I am (I was born in '81) there are most likely several problems with it. First off, the caps are probaly dried up. That alone would do it. Second, there is a chance that the BFO is drifting so far off frequency that even if you could get it to tune, it would drift so fast you would'nt be able to listen to anything.
If it was a few years old, I would suggest putting some money into it. Being as old as it is, I would suggest putting the money towards somthing like a new Grundig or Sony shortwave.
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Check out the Kenwood D7. Great dual band hand held. Connect your GPS to it and you have a ready to go APRS station as well.
I have one I use for most of my cable testing and I just bought one for the YL. She loves it.
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If I had it my way, I would say 446.500. I hate 2M
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...the model number in the break down chart, this will tell what band or Freq. the radio works on...
The model number will NOT tell you what frequencies are programmed into the radio, only the band and bandsplit. Only reading the radio with Motorola RSS or using a frequency counter can tell you that and even at that, only the transmit frequencies, not receive or PL/DPL.
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Again, any decent Motorola shop near you should be able to read the radio and give you the codeplug contents (frequencies, pl/dpl, ect.).
If not, if you have or can get ahold of a frequency counter, you can at least figure out the transmit frequencies.
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The GPS is sold.
Thanks,
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I am selling a Garmin Legend C that might as well be new on the shelf. I bought it back when it first came out because I was a little trigger happy. I found out that the USB only option was pretty useless for me. I have since bought a comperable unit with serial and I do not need this extra unit.
This GPS saw about 30 minutes of total "powered on" time and it never went caching or into any outdoors conditions. I kept it in a soft case at all time, so it is like new.
I am including the GPS, Garmin software (came with it) and the USB transfer cable, all placed back into the original packaging for $175 priority shipped to anywhere in the US.
I have a PayPal merchant account, so I can take credit cards at jason@ke4nyv.com
Thanks,
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I'm a Moto portable tech...
Look inside of the battery compartment and look for a serial that will look like: XXXNNNXXXX
X = Letter
N = Number
With this serial, Motorola can see what dealer the radio was sold to. At that point, the dealer MIGHT be able to tell you the buyer IF they kept those records. We keep them just for this sort of purpose.
Jason KE4NYV
www.ke4nyv.com
RPC Electronics
www.rpc-electronics.com
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I am trying to find a data cable for a gps12. I already have the car power cable, and am trying to find someone who no longer needas theirs anymore. thanks
I run a small company called RPC Electronics and I specialize in Garmin interface cables. http://www.rpc-electronics.com You can also email me directly if you woud like at jason@rpc-electronics.com
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I stated above that we were working on a new HamHUD II kit. Well, the time has come and the kit is nearing completion! I state this in the below, but I will state again here...WE HAVE NO FINANCIAL STAKE IN THIS. We are selling these at cost to the buyers. The more that buy, the cheaper it will get because we can take advantage of bulk discounting on parts.
If interested, please read below...
----------------------------------------------------
The HamHUD Group has revised the HamHUD project and we're getting
ready to take kit orders.
Here is a rundown of the current project:
1. The NEW PCB contains ALL of the parts including the user interface
components.
2. The current design still requires a Kantronics KPC3, KPC3+ or any
TNC-2 clone. MFJ and AEA TNC's have been sucessfully tested for 100%
operation. The future hope is to add KISS support. THERE IS NO
TIMEFRAME ON THE KISS IMPLEMENTATION AT THIS TIME! Please keep that
in mind.
3. There has been a vast improvement to the hardware interface. The
single pin header has been replaced with a single DB15 connector that
can be mounted one of three ways to the board: On the back sticking
out, along the bottom edge of the board to stick straight down or on
the right side edge to stick out the right side end on the unit.
Along with the connector, several output/input options have been added
such as a +12VDC and +5VDC out for powering external GPS units. There
is also a ground pin for every signal pin, no more splitting up a
single ground for multiple hardware devices.
4. The new PCB has been sized to slide right into a custom 130mm
extruded Hammond case. The standard case is 120mm, we have worked out
a deal with Hammond to have these special 130mm cases made for this
project. The cases will be pre-milled with all required holes for UI,
LCD, LEDs and connectors. The cases are anodized black.
All other past functions of the original and second generation HamHUD
IIs are still part of this version.
Please visit http://www.hamhud.net/hh2 for full details of the HamHUD
II's functions. You can also download the user manual from that site.
The current construction manual can be found at http://www.pinzi.us/
Scratch/HH2RevE_Draft.pdf This manual will change as we revise it.
Version 1.0 of the manual will be posted soon.
As we have to order soon to have HamHUD2-RevE ready for Xmas (pcb can
take up to 7 weeks to get a good price) we will need a list of those
who want to buy one. The price depends on the quantity we are able to
buy as there are some good discounts at larger quantities.
To make kitting easier we will only provide the following options:
PCB only: $10
PCB + case + FRAM: $44/$39/$35
Complete kit $135/$110/$90
$xx/$yy/$zz is price for 25/50/100 kits total purchase. (All prices
plus shipping!). As there may be a mix the prices for the last two
positions may vary a bit.
Please keep in mind: if you have to order parts the complete kit is
most likely much cheaper then ordering small quantities of parts and
pay shipping.
If you want to participate in the group buy please email me, Jason at
jason@... to be added to the pre-orders list. See http://www.
ke4nyv.com/hh2revebuy.htm for further info.
PLEASE! We don't have any commercial stake into this adventure! ONLY
email me if you are willing to later pay for whatever you signed up
for. Be aware that we may end up with the 25 unit price if there isn't
enough interest for more. In case we get "late payments" and the
quantity is larger then anticipated the prices will naturally be
recalculated and any overpayment will be refunded.
I am personally offering to assemble units for those who would not
like to build the kit. I can also assemble custom interface cables
for your particular application ie. TNC/GPS/Power. if interested,
please email me for a quote to the above email address.
Thanks!
The HamHUD Team
Jason KE4NYV
www.ke4nyv.com
RPC Electronics
www.rpc-electronics.com
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For those not familiar with FM radio, the deviation is the modulation of the radio's carrier signal to impose the voice thereonto. In the case of FRS it is 5kHz maximum, with 4.5kHz being more typical.
Actually, this is close, but not true. Most amateur UHF equipment will TX with a 25KHz bandwidth, deviation of ~4.5 KHz (typical) and about 5 KHz with PL injected. An FRS unit is actually allocated as narrow-band 12.5 bandwidth utilizing a ~2.5 KHz. Such as channel 1 is 462.5625 This is a narrow-band frequency and would require the lower deviation. I KNOW, I KNOW, this isn't always done. But in the commercial Two-Way world, this is what is supposed to be done.
I'm a Motorola Two-Way tech, I kinda know what I'm talking about
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I found the most challenging part of setting up APRS was building the cables. Not because of any intellectual challenge in matching signal lines, but just handling and joining many fine wires. I decided that in the future I will buy pre-made cables if available. They look better and are probably more reliable than what I cobbled together. But they do work pretty well once built. I use Magellan and ICOM with Tiny Trak and Tiger Trak since I don't have the Kenwood that supports APRS.
<Shameless Plug>
If anyone is looking for good quality cables, decently priced. Check out my company RPC Electronics at http://www.rpc-electronics.com I specialize in Garmin interface cables, Kenwood D7/700 cables and radio cables for the Byonics TinyTrak III and N1VG OpenTracker.
I also offer custom application jobs. Please email me via the website for quotes.
<Non-Profit Plug>
For those who are not appliance operators and would'nt mind building somthing. I recommend the HamHUD II for APRS. I have been part of the HamHUD project for over 3 years now and I'm a big supporter of it. We currently are working on a new board design that will:
1. Have no parts that have to be attached to the main board via wire jumpers.
2. Corrections for errors on last board run.
3. Will slide into a Hammond extruded case for a rock solid unit.
4. Will be offered in a full kit.
Check out www.hamhud.net for some slighly old information, but still valid for the functionality of it. For more current info, please visit us at Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hamhud If you would like to be added to the group kit buy, please email me and I will add you to the master list located at http://www.ke4nyv.com/hh2revebuy.htm
Thanks!
Jason KE4NYV
RPC Electronics
www.rpc-electronics.com
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Hmm, I am getting the feeling that ham radio operators get bored with it?
Hey, don't let the naysayers mislead you and give you a negative view. Amateur Radio is far from dead or boring. The people that get a license and never use it are usually the people that really did'nt want to do it in the first place, but a father/mother, sibling, spouse or whatever convinced them to do it.
DO IT, you'll be glad you did. Its a fun hobby with a million different avenues.
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You probaly found a cable by now. But for refference drop by my site RPC Electronics. I build all of the cables by hand with the good, high quality parts. I offer a full Garmin line of cables including the Rinos. I also do custom applications. Anyone looking for somthing special, email me, I might be able to help you out.
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Hmm, I'll have to check on the repeater availability. The area I am mostly out in is the Gifford Pinchot, Mt. Adams area (includes roadless areas there). Currently I have Verizon (can you hear me now?) and No... I can't hear anybody when I am out there... lol. Go figure.
http://www.wa-net.com/~ab7f/randle.htm
"This repeater covers nearly all of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area, from Mt Rainier to Mt. Adams to Mt. St. Helens... Also great coverage on HWY-12 from White Pass to Centrailia/Chehalis... It has been accessed from Seattle/Tacoma, Bremertown/Port Angeles, Olympia/Shelton, Aberdeen/Hoquiam, Astoria, Portland/Salem, The Dalles, Goldendale, and Yakima."
Looks promising. Being an avid UHF (440) fan, I always go UHF when available. But if you MUST use that 2 meter band, then do it.
Are you licensed?
Good luck.
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You can get the cables at TinyTrak's website, www.byonics.com.
Yep, the first couple waves of cables sold by Byon were made by my own two hands. Byon has since taken over making them himself. Check out www.rpc-electronics.com
As for the TT3 or OT...they are great for a mobile application. Portable just isn't as easy with the D7. I NORMALLY would side with the 3rd party/homebrew option. I'm not much of a fan of Kenwood's ideaology, but I do love my D7 and I have to admit its great when wanting to do portable APRS.
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Oh no! What have I done?!
I just read about APRS and the Kenwood 7H-D7A(G). This appears to be the ultimate Geocacher plaything. Tell me if I have this right. If I plug my GPS into the 7H-D7A, I can send my coordinates onto the internet and my wife can call up a web page and see my location. It also looks like I could send a short text message directly to her email account.
Too bad it is out of my price range. I'm not ready for such a radical cashectomy.
The D7 is great for portable APRS. You can run the tracker on the VHF side and it will not interfere with the other VFO for voice. I recommend using UHF for voice when running APRS on the 2M side. UHF is my personal favorite
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Anyone use an "Open tracker" type APRS converter (similar to the TinyTrak)?
Yep, I love my OT. I am primarily a HamHUD II user (www.hamhud.net or www.ke4nyv.com/hamhud.htm) but I also use the OT when I need a simple tracker. I met Scott N1VG at DCC last year and hes a great guy to talk to and has a lot of good ideas for the future of APRS.
I build and sell Radio and GPS Interface cables compatible with the OpenTracker, TinyTrak III, WxTrak and PICPAC Take a look at www.rpc-electronics.com
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I've got a Kenwood TH-D7 HT and a Lowrance Global Map 100 connected to it. My only problem in State College PA is the paucity of digipeaters close enough to my relatively weak beacons.
Hah, When I'm up at the PS football games, I usually run a digi in the truck while I'm in the stands. Next season, look for KE4NYV-6 (Temp Digi) I only make it up to one or two games a season if that. I like the games, but I love my hobbies too
Night Caching in DelMarVa
in Northeast
Posted
I live in Greenbackville, VA. I want to get back to caching, but I'm not that keen on night caching since I am usually working on customer stuff after I get home from my day job. Does anyone want to do some daytime weekend caching?