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Let’s Go Digital on the move

M Rose

M Rose

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The October issue of QST has all kinds of Antenna projects filling the voids between the covers. One antenna I found to be interesting is one I’m going to call the “Barber Dipole.

The Barber Dipole:

Pros-
  • 20” tall 5/8 wave 2m
  • Under $10 to construct
  • Great SWR a crossed the 2m band
  • Very little time invested to build
  • Omni directional 1.64 dbi gain )very similar to the copper cactus J-Pole
Cons-
  • Accuracy is a must
  • No ability to tune the antenna after its final construction
  • Needs a mast to deploy

 
Sparksalot

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M Rose said:
You will really like this Device…. Just an FYI, even though it was designed for APRS, it does so much more.
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That’s why I chose it. I really like the ability to send messages to others through it. The digital version of 146.46.
 
MojaveJT

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Is the frequency that you are setting up based on your location or is this a universal frequency for packet transmission? What is required on “the other end” to send the packets to the internet?

I understand the concept, just a little confused on the requirements
 
Sparksalot

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MojaveJT said:
Is the frequency that you are setting up based on your location or is this a universal frequency for packet transmission? What is required on “the other end” to send the packets to the internet?

I understand the concept, just a little confused on the requirements
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144.39 is the US calling frequency for APRS. Might be packet in general, I don’t recall. The hardware itself will repeat any signal heard, and in the case of APRS specifically, put it onto APRS.FI, in other words the internet.
 
Sparksalot

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M Rose said:
Easiest amateur radio equipment setup I have ever done
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I’m having trouble with my tnc3. It won’t beacon. I can sometimes force it to manually, but it won’t appear on APRS.FI. I can see the radio transmit visually, and hear it with another radio, but nothing is getting out.
 
M Rose

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TahoePPV said:
I’m having trouble with my tnc3. It won’t beacon. I can sometimes force it to manually, but it won’t appear on APRS.FI. I can see the radio transmit visually, and hear it with another radio, but nothing is getting out.
Click to expand...
If you are transmitting off of the radio with the TNC3 and hearing it in another radio, but aren’t being spotted on APRS.FI, then you aren’t hitting an iGate. You either need a better antenna, more power, or a combination of the two. If you have a buddy with an APRS enabled radio, see if he hears you and your information is displayed on his radio.

As for it not beaconing, make sure you have the settings correct in APRS.FI. Position all three sliders to the far left and you should beAvon every 15-20 seconds while moving and up to 5 minutes setting still. To manually beacon you have to wait 15 seconds from the last beacon.
AF590C5E-66EF-4D8C-8439-F272A0E788F2.jpeg
 
Sparksalot

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M Rose said:
If you are transmitting off of the radio with the TNC3 and hearing it in another radio, but aren’t being spotted on APRS.FI, then you aren’t hitting an iGate. You either need a better antenna, more power, or a combination of the two. If you have a buddy with an APRS enabled radio, see if he hears you and your information is displayed on his radio.

As for it not beaconing, make sure you have the settings correct in APRS.FI. Position all three sliders to the far left and you should beAvon every 15-20 seconds while moving and up to 5 minutes setting still. To manually beacon you have to wait 15 seconds from the last beacon.
View attachment 224856
Click to expand...
I reset those slides. I drive through the heart of Austin twice yesterday. Dozens of stations are on the map, but nothing. I have used the same radio and antenna to kerchunk a repeater 40 miles out from me, so I don’t think that’s the issue.
 
M Rose

M Rose

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TahoePPV said:
I reset those slides. I drive through the heart of Austin twice yesterday. Dozens of stations are on the map, but nothing. I have used the same radio and antenna to kerchunk a repeater 40 miles out from me, so I don’t think that’s the issue.
Click to expand...
Did you install the Mobilinked TNC Config app?
 
M Rose

M Rose

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TahoePPV said:
I did. I also just had a SMH moment. I have APRS.FI on my iPhone and iPad. One had these three toggle ON, the other had them OFF. Poor TNCs couldn’t figure what was coming or going. So for now anyway, I’ve told my phone to forget the device.
Click to expand...
Yes you can only use one device at a time. Is it working now?
 
M Rose

M Rose

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You can also use your phone as a software modem and have it listen to your receiving radio to see if you show up on the map
 
M Rose

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Rex,
I have attached the user guide for your convenience, it looks like Mobilinked took down the download site at the moment.
 

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Sparksalot

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M Rose said:
TahoePPV said:
I did. I also just had a SMH moment. I have APRS.FI on my iPhone and iPad. One had these three toggle ON, the other had them OFF. Poor TNCs couldn’t figure what was coming or going. So for now anyway, I’ve told my phone to forget the device.
Click to expand...
Yes you can only use one device at a time. Is it working now?
Click to expand...
It seems to be. I’ve been wanting to make sure it’s working. I had used the TNC with an HT for a bit. I manufactured a cable to interface it to an ICom 2200. That seems to be working too.
 
M Rose

M Rose

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TahoePPV said:
It seems to be. I’ve been wanting to make sure it’s working. I had used the TNC with an HT for a bit. I manufactured a cable to interface it to an ICom 2200. That seems to be working too.
Click to expand...
Make sure the 2200 has the squelch off and configure the TNC3 in the config app to adjust the audio levels for best performance of the 2200.

one last question
Have you tried using WinLink?
 
Sparksalot

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M Rose said:
TahoePPV said:
It seems to be. I’ve been wanting to make sure it’s working. I had used the TNC with an HT for a bit. I manufactured a cable to interface it to an ICom 2200. That seems to be working too.
Click to expand...
Make sure the 2200 has the squelch off and configure the TNC3 in the config app to adjust the audio levels for best performance of the 2200.

one last question
Have you tried using WinLink?
Click to expand...
I have not tried Winlink yet. I wanted to make sure the basic configuration worked. I’ve also hoped to do messaging with aprs.fi.
 
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