This new group is for information and feedback on Cross Country Wireless products and software.

This includes the APRS TNC Digi Tracker and the APRS Messenger program.

Regards and 73,

Chris Moulding, G4HYG

The next version of APRS Messenger will have several new features.

These include APRS over PSK-63 for use on the HF bands, a RF to internet gateway and compatibility with all versions of Windows,

In the next few weeks I'll be asking for volunteers to test the initial version of the software before release.

73,

Chris, G4HYG

Chris,

I was always told not to accept invitations from strange men... but as it's you, here I am! :-)

73,

Howard G1BYY

Chris,

I don't have HF so I can't help you there, but RF-Internet linking sounds interesting - would that be to form an APRS IGate?

I could have a go at testing that, but obviously I'd need instructions as it's not something I've done before. Could be handy as I'm considering setting up an APRS Digipeater and/or IGate here to fill in a bit of a gap.

Cheers,

Howard G1BYY

Hi Howard,

Good to see you on this Group!

73,

Chris, G4HYG

Hi all

Does anyone know how I can connect my digi tracker to a Tait 530/c

I have been told that you just lift off the CTCSS board and use them pins. I have purchased the cable and 9 pin connector, so just need the correct pins to connect up to the tracker. I have already setup the diode matrix for the correct frequencey.

Many thanks

Rick

73 DE M0ZAV

Howard,

Fine on having no HF. The program will also work with the Digi Tracker and work as an APRS Igate.

Regarding the testing I'm in the last stage before I release it for beta testing. The Igate code works well and seems to be reliable. If the internet link drops it will retry after a 1 minute interval. It also doesn't send a lot of unnecessary stuff to the APRS internet system just the received packets.

The HF system uses PSK-63 to carry the APRS packets. It's far better than the 300 bd packet system currently in use.

I've applied for a NOV (Notice of Variation) to my license to allow 24 hour unattended operation on 30m. I've asked for 10.1497 MHz as this is halfway between the existing 300 bd packet APRS and the band edge. I'm running some on-air tests when I'm in the shack with a beacon every 10 minutes. The callsign is G4HYG-2 if you want to check on APRS.FI

I've just got the final part of code to write for the CRC check and then it's ready for beta test.

73,

Chris, G4HYG

I've just had the first contact over HF PSK-63 APRS using APRS Messenger.

I've uploaded a screen print of the program in the Photos section.
Ross, G6GVI lives in Bolton about 4 miles away and used a FT-817 running 5 Watts. The noise level at my end is about S6 so not every packet from Ross made it through.

At least it proves that the main parts of the program work. Signals were transmitted on HF, received and decoded, checksums checked and data sent to the APRS_IS.

However a few problems came up. The serial port PTT needs a few extra options and the APRS_IS sees the data sent as coming from another server rather than an APRS client program.

So there's just a little more to finish before I can release the program to the Group for beta testing.

73,

Chris, G4HYG

Reading the last message through there is an obvious error.

It should read "Ross G6GVI and I have just had the first contact..."

I've spent too long looking at PC's sending beacons to each other!

It takes two people to have a contact!

Thanks, Ross.

73,

Chris, G6GVI

Hi Rick,

I'm not sure of the correct pins but to try and help you I've uploaded the Service Manual for the Tait T535 to the Files section on the Group page.

73,

Chris, G4HYG

Rick,

Actually I've been using a Tait 530-series set in my car for the last three years, for 2m APRS (but with an OpenTracker, not a CCW unit - sorry Chris!).

To interface to the Tracker, I took out the microphone-lead and fitted a 5-pin DIN socket in the side of the set. The required connections are: GND, mod in, audio out, PTT and a DC supply (picked up from the PCB).

Here's a copy of the notes which I made at the time:

If you're going to use this set for APRS, it will need to be fitted with an interface socket, instead of a microphone.

Remove the existing mic, picking up the PTT (red and black) and audio input (white and screen) and feeding them to your chosen interface connector.

I picked up the audio output from the volume control, taking the output from the track of the potentiometer, so that the output level is independent of the volume control setting.

 

The transmit deviation is set by RV79, which is also accessible through a hole in the track side of the PCB.

 

73 de Ross G6GVI

Hi,

I've uploaded APRS Messenger version v2.26 to the file section.

This has many changes over the last version v1.86 released.

The biggest change is that APRS over PSK-63 has been added. This has been tried before with an add-on to UI-View but that had problems sending packets with errors to the APRS-IS system. I've added a strong checksum to each packet and each received packet is checked as correct before being sent to the internet. The display will show all packets received even with errors so that weak signals can be read manually. A frequency hopping routine has been added to the PSK-63 receiver to allow rapid signal acquisition over a +/- 50 Hz range. A Tune option allows the operator to send a carrier + 150 Hz in frequency to avoid interference to other APRS signals.

The program comes in three versions with different PSK-63 audio tone frequencies, 700, 1300 and 2100 Hz.

The second change is the addition of a receive only Igate. All HF or VHF packets received can be sent to the APRS-IS. If the connection to the APRS server is lost it automatically retries 1 minute later.

The third change is that the program can now be loaded on all versions of Microsoft Windows from Win 95 up. It's smaller than before and at 1.06 Mb will fit on a floppy disc.

All areas of the program have been improved and tested.

Future developments will include a GPS option for mobile HF tracking.

Of course it still works with the APRS TNC Digi Tracker or other serial TNC's and you can run it as a HF and VHF APRS Igate.

If you want to try the APRS over PSK-63 on HF I'm running an Igate on 10.1497 MHz. Set your receiver to a dial frequency of 10.1476 MHz USB with the 2.1 kHz version.

For the last few weeks I've been testing it on air on 10.1497 MHz with Ross G6GVI, Jack G8HIK and Ian G0CTO and we've found most of the bugs. It's also demonstrated the performance of PSK-63 as a mode even with interference. Thanks for all the tests!

If other group members try it let us know what you think.

I'll also put the program on the website on Thursday after demonstrating at a RAYNET meeting on Wednesday.

73,

Chris, G4HYG

g4hyg wrote:

I've uploaded APRS Messenger version v2.26 to the file section.

I downloaded and installed the 2.1khz version on Windows 7. It is running fine with the waterfall and sinewave displays reflecting what I'd expect to see. When it first activated, I told it I don't have either a TNC or other Comm port. Once it's running, what should I expect to see?

The second change is the addition of a receive only Igate. All HF or VHF packets received can be sent to the APRS-IS. If the connection to the APRS server is lost it automatically retries 1 minute later.

I'd like to run it in monitor mode for a while before turning it loose on the APRS-IS, but where does it get MyCall from when I'm ready to do that?

If you want to try the APRS over PSK-63 on HF I'm running an Igate on 10.1497 MHz. Set your receiver to a dial frequency of 10.1476 MHz USB with the 2.1 kHz version.

I'm glad to see this is the same dial frequency as 30m APRS. I've got AGWPEpro running and am doing a receive-only IGate from there via my APRSIS32 client as KJ4ERJ-1. I can see the 300baud APRS packets on the APRS Messenger waterfall and then see the decoded packet in my AGWMonitor as well as in my client window.

If/when I hear something on PSK-63, where will it show up in the various panes of APRS Messenger? I believe I heard a packet or two, and saw disturbances on the waterfall just over 2000, but nothing changed in any of the other panes.

Also, what should I be seeing as far as that black bargraph's height to assist in tuning the volume level of my audio feed.

For the last few weeks I've been testing it on air on 10.1497 MHz with Ross G6GVI, Jack G8HIK and Ian G0CTO and we've found most of the bugs. It's also demonstrated the performance of PSK-63 as a mode even with interference. Thanks for all the tests!

In your tested, are you transmitting PSK-63 beacons, or just interactive messages? I'll keep the client running overnight and see what's here in the morning.

Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Palm Bay, FL USA

Lynn W. Deffenbaugh (Mr) wrote:

I'd like to run it in monitor mode for a while before turning it loose on the APRS-IS, but where does it get MyCall from when I'm ready to do that?

I did finally notice the "My callsign:" box, but what's the difference between the blue background and the yellow background. I (possibly foolishly) assumed that the yellow was input and the blue was output, until I saw that My callsign was blue.

Also, any chance of listening on a TCP Port for other software to connect to the program as if it were a KISS or TEXT mode TNC? That way other clients (like mine) can receive and transmit over PSK-63 without having to increase the UI features of APRS Messenger.

We can discuss that request here on the list or via private messages, or just ignore it and I won't bring it up again (at least, not for a while).

Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile and Win32

Hi Lynn,

Good to see that you've downloaded the program and it's working with Windows 7.

I downloaded and installed the 2.1khz version on Windows 7. It is
running fine with the waterfall and sinewave displays reflecting what
I'd expect to see. When it first activated, I told it I don't have
either a TNC or other Comm port. Once it's running, what should I
expect to see?

When HF or VHF traffic is received it will be displayed in the top two blue boxes. When a message addressed to your call is received the white message box will turn yellow as a visual alert.

I'd like to run it in monitor mode for a while before turning it loose
on the APRS-IS, but where does it get MyCall from when I'm ready to do that?

Enter your callsign in the "My callsign:" box and your passcode in the "Passcode" box.

If/when I hear something on PSK-63, where will it show up in the various
panes of APRS Messenger?

See above reply.

I believe I heard a packet or two, and saw

disturbances on the waterfall just over 2000, but nothing changed in any
of the other panes.

OK, I'm beaconing every 10 minutes at the moment.

Also, what should I be seeing as far as that black bargraph's height to
assist in tuning the volume level of my audio feed.

The bargraph displays the received quality of the incoming signal. The PSK receiver has it's own AGC and will only display a message regarding high audio level when it is too high.

In your tested, are you transmitting PSK-63 beacons, or just interactive
messages? I'll keep the client running overnight and see what's here in
the morning.

In the past I've worked into the eastern states of the USA with this transmit setup on 30m PSK-31 and PSK-63. At this time of night the disturbances you see in the waterfall may well be my beacon from north west England.

73,

Chris G4HYG

Hi Lynn,

I did finally notice the "My callsign:" box, but what's the difference
between the blue background and the yellow background. I (possibly
foolishly) assumed that the yellow was input and the blue was output,
until I saw that My callsign was blue.

OK, the colours change as a visual alert when a message addressed to your callsign is received.

Also, any chance of listening on a TCP Port for other software to
connect to the program as if it were a KISS or TEXT mode TNC? That way
other clients (like mine) can receive and transmit over PSK-63 without
having to increase the UI features of APRS Messenger.

I think that it would be possible to do that and I'm sure that we can work together to make it work.

We can discuss that request here on the list or via private messages, or
just ignore it and I won't bring it up again (at least, not for a while).

We can discuss that.

73,

Chris, G4HYG

g4hyg wrote:

In the past I've worked into the eastern states of the USA with this transmit setup on 30m PSK-31 and PSK-63. At this time of night the disturbances you see in the waterfall may well be my beacon from north west England.

I captured a screen shot of the waterfall with one of the "disturbances" I noted. Does that look like PSK-63? I know there's a 300baud APRS signal in that wide yellow band below 2000.

http://ldeffenb.dnsalias.net/APRSMsg1.gif

Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Still learning what various signals "look" like

Lynn W. Deffenbaugh (Mr) wrote:

g4hyg wrote:

If you want to try the APRS over PSK-63 on HF I'm running an Igate on 10.1497 MHz. Set your receiver to a dial frequency of 10.1476 MHz USB with the 2.1 kHz version.

I'm glad to see this is the same dial frequency as 30m APRS. I've got AGWPEpro running and am doing a receive-only IGate from there via my APRSIS32 client as KJ4ERJ-1. I can see the 300baud APRS packets on the APRS Messenger waterfall and then see the decoded packet in my AGWMonitor as well as in my client window.

No packets copied through the night, but then I suspect 30m conditions closed up as I didn't receive any other APRS between 1:05am and 6:30am this morning (Eastern, 6:05-11:30 UTC).

I did tune my radio over to 20m PSK31/63 frequencies this morning and copied some characters in the HF traffic window. That answered my question
as to whether only valid packets showed up there or if all decodes showed up there. Given that what is there looks nothing like a packet, it must show all decodes. ("dete ooa� t� n otM 6,tde aRS 3 a to�y").

Since I keep the radio tuned to 10.147.600 USB for 30m APRS anyway, and since APRS Messenger (2.1khz) uses a different frequency offset than my 300baud KAM tones, I'll just keep it open until a) I need to reboot, b) it gets in the way, or c) I actually copy something!

Here's hoping to "see" you on the airwaves!

Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Palm Bay, FL USA - APRS Messenger monitoring on 10.147.600 USB

I've uploaded your screenshot to the photos section. I've also added a screenshot of a packet message and an ack from G0GRX-10 to show the transmit signal and a received signal.

I'm not sure what the signal is that you spotted but it's not PSK-63!

73,

Chris, G4HYG