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Ham radio network?

Uniquely Us Adventures

Rank VIII
Member

Pioneer II

Looking for but can’t find a thread for networking with HAM radio operators. I think it’s a great resource to have with locations and operators maybe a map to see and connect in emergencies and or just community? Could be a valuable resource for the app? Just my thoughts? Maybe I missed the thread somewhere?
 

El-Dracho

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
Supporter
Investor

Protector III

Hi Daniel,

There is the implementation of a live APRS map overlay on the roadmap for the OB1 app. Do you mean something like that? You can take a look for the detailled description of that feature when following the link to the roadmap here:



Bjoern
 

Uniquely Us Adventures

Rank VIII
Member

Pioneer II

How do I see that overlay? Web only? I can’t seem to see it in the phone app.? Also the link you sent me doesn’t do anything when I click it?
Sorry still new to this app..
Just seems like having a list of operators based on location would make sense for comms.. that’s what I’m looking for. Maybe on the map showing member locations there can be a designator for Ham operators…??
 

El-Dracho

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
Supporter
Investor

Protector III

How do I see that overlay? Web only? I can’t seem to see it in the phone app.? Also the link you sent me doesn’t do anything when I click it?
Sorry still new to this app..
Just seems like having a list of operators based on location would make sense for comms.. that’s what I’m looking for. Maybe on the map showing member locations there can be a designator for Ham operators…??
The APRS overlay is on the implementation roadmap to be implemented in the future.
 

M Rose

Local Expert
Mod Team
Member

Advocate III

How do I see that overlay? Web only? I can’t seem to see it in the phone app.? Also the link you sent me doesn’t do anything when I click it?
Sorry still new to this app..
Just seems like having a list of operators based on location would make sense for comms.. that’s what I’m looking for. Maybe on the map showing member locations there can be a designator for Ham operators…??
The APRS overlay is on the implementation roadmap to be implemented in the future.
Not only is it on the road map for future development, but @Michael is working on the overlay right now.
 

Uniquely Us Adventures

Rank VIII
Member

Pioneer II

How do I see that overlay? Web only? I can’t seem to see it in the phone app.? Also the link you sent me doesn’t do anything when I click it?
Sorry still new to this app..
Just seems like having a list of operators based on location would make sense for comms.. that’s what I’m looking for. Maybe on the map showing member locations there can be a designator for Ham operators…??
The APRS overlay is on the implementation roadmap to be implemented in the future.
Not only is it on the road map for future development, but @Michael is working on the overlay right now.
Fantastic!!!!
 

Prerunner1982

Local Expert, Oklahoma USA
Launch Member
Member

Member III

@Bwana Digital is currently allowed on GMRS with some requirements. One issue being (4) and possibly another issue being (2).

§ 95.1787 GMRS additional requirements.

Each hand-held portable unit transmitter type submitted for certification under this subpart is subject to the rules in this section.


(a) Digital data transmissions. GMRS hand-held portable units that have the capability to transmit digital data must be designed to meet the following requirements.

(1) Digital data transmissions may contain location information, or requesting location information from one or more other GMRS or FRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific GMRS or FRS unit. Digital data transmissions may be initiated by a manual action of the operator or on an automatic or periodic basis, and a GMRS unit receiving an interrogation request may automatically respond with its location.
(2) Digital data transmissions must not exceed one second in duration.
(3) Digital data transmissions must not be sent more frequently than one digital data transmission within a thirty-second period, except that a GMRS unit may automatically respond to more than one interrogation request received within a thirty-second period.
(4) The antenna must be a non-removable integral part of the GMRS unit.
(5) GMRS units must not be capable of transmitting digital data on the 467 MHz main channels.
 

M Rose

Local Expert
Mod Team
Member

Advocate III

I've read somewhere that the FCC is considering adding digital modes to GMRS. That would be great if APRSDroid worked on GMRS.
It will never be allowed on APRSDroid or APRS.fi because of the protocols used to send APRS data. However there is an app for GMRS/FRS location services sponsored by Polaris in conjunction with Garmin… it’s called Ride Command.
 

Bwana

Rank II

Enthusiast II

@Bwana Digital is currently allowed on GMRS with some requirements. One issue being (4) and possibly another issue being (2).

§ 95.1787 GMRS additional requirements.

Each hand-held portable unit transmitter type submitted for certification under this subpart is subject to the rules in this section.


(a) Digital data transmissions. GMRS hand-held portable units that have the capability to transmit digital data must be designed to meet the following requirements.

(1) Digital data transmissions may contain location information, or requesting location information from one or more other GMRS or FRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific GMRS or FRS unit. Digital data transmissions may be initiated by a manual action of the operator or on an automatic or periodic basis, and a GMRS unit receiving an interrogation request may automatically respond with its location.
(2) Digital data transmissions must not exceed one second in duration.
(3) Digital data transmissions must not be sent more frequently than one digital data transmission within a thirty-second period, except that a GMRS unit may automatically respond to more than one interrogation request received within a thirty-second period.
(4) The antenna must be a non-removable integral part of the GMRS unit.
(5) GMRS units must not be capable of transmitting digital data on the 467 MHz main channels.
I think that the duration has been the limitation to
a broader use. With the lack of igates in the gmrs reaperter system it can not work as well as the Ham version but it would be useful on the trail.
 

Ahoward2k

Rank VI

Influencer I

Will the APRS overlay come from APRS.fi and require internet connectivity or will it be able to take APRS straight from the radio and work offline?
 

KonzaLander

Rank VI
Member

Traveler II

I think that the duration has been the limitation to
a broader use. With the lack of igates in the gmrs reaperter system it can not work as well as the Ham version but it would be useful on the trail.
The Garmin Rino has been able to broadcast digital data on GMRS since the early 2000's thanks to a waiver Garmin received from the FCC, but I don't think anybody has integrated the data into APRSDroid. It works pretty well, but the system is not nearly as robust as APRS. I recently picked up few used (and cheap) Rinos to experiment with and they worked well on a recent trip.
 

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

I think that the duration has been the limitation to
a broader use. With the lack of igates in the gmrs reaperter system it can not work as well as the Ham version but it would be useful on the trail.
The Garmin Rino (GMRS+GPS) has allowed TX and display of location data for a long time. They have several levels of Rino radios, here is one to look at. They are expensive for a GMRS Radio/GPS but their quality is over the top and have the best battery life of any device that I have ever owned.
 
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KonzaLander

Rank VI
Member

Traveler II

The Garmin Rino (GMRS+GPS) has allowed TX and display of location data for a long time. They have several levels of Rino radios, here is one to look at. They are expensive for a GMRS Radio/GPS but their quality is over the top and have the best battery life of any device that I have ever owned.
I would not buy a NEW Rino. You can find gently used Rino's on eBay for a fraction of the price. They are reliable and easy to use. An old Rino works and communicates with a modern Rino no problem and all Rinos will communicate with a standard GMRS radio.
1656353294504.png
 

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

I would not buy a NEW Rino. You can find gently used Rino's on eBay for a fraction of the price. They are reliable and easy to use. An old Rino works and communicates with a modern Rino no problem and all Rinos will communicate with a standard GMRS radio.
View attachment 234206
Good advice, spendy little units. Mine is old, used to use it in my adventure motorcycle days to communicate and see where others in the group were - same form factor as the green one on the right. Have nothing but good things to say about them save the price ;)
 
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