APRS NEWS

Sorry, It looks like it has been almost a year since this page has been updated. All of the relevant news was posted to the DCARA APRS site anyway. I am not going to be maintaining this page, all the news will be posted on the DCARA APRS site now.

5.20.00. A new APRS server has gone online. This server is operated on a Linux server at KC5GOI's house. It is using version 2.11 of aprsd APRSD is a creation by Dale Heatherington WA4DSY. The server is running on Mandrake Linux version 6.5. Currently I am only serving 10 connections at a time. The server is connected via a dialup account at 52k. The server is a 200 MHz Pentium with 48 megs of ram. The server's horse power is not the limitation. The dialup account is. To make use of the new server, you will have to modify the aprsserve.txt file in the WinAPRS directory. You will need to add the following line to the file,

kc5goi-gw.flyingpig.net 10152 kc5goi unbuffered

It is very important to format this correctly. inbetween the kc5goi-gw.flyingpg.net and 10152 you insert a tab not just a space. The same applies for between 10152 and kc5goi unbuffered. If you do not enter the tabs, the program will not be able to correctly use the server. Save the file and restart WinAPRS. After you open WinAPRS and activate your connection to the internet, Click on Settings, TCPIP connections, and kc5goi unbuffered. You should then get the unbuffered feed from the server. While other servers do provide a buffered feed, a history of the last 30 minuets, I will not. The buffered feed can eat up a large chunk of bandwidth. This will slow down the connection for everyone.

The current Mac/WinAPRS version is 2.4.5. It contains a fix for the usage of AGWPE that pertains to messaging. The ability to click on a point on the map, hit crtl+c or copy and then paste it into another application was added. I have used this to modify my home.txt file and to create objects for a map overlay.

12.20.99:    WinAPRS version 2.4.0 was released 2 wks ago.  Most of the changes were small except for 2 thing.  WinAPRS can now use a program called AWGPE.  This will allow people with the Baycom tnc to work APRS.  It also allows you to use the sound card for a tnc.  I have heard a few people say ithat the sound card is not a sensitive as a tnc but I have not verified that yet.  All the need docs and downloads are at http://www.forthnet.gr/sv2agw/start.htm. The help files are also now able to be opened directly as a web site.  In the past you had to open the file manually.  Now, when you click on the help menu you get   a selection to open the help as a web page.

                    I recently put up a new page on how to setup a KPC3+ as a tracker using the software serial port feature.  The bulk of what I have is copied from the Questionable page and Kantronics.  I did add one point that I learned recently.  IF you use the db9 on the KPC3+ as the gps input, do not put it in GPS interface mode(int gps).  If you do the tnc looks for gps data on the db25, not the db9.

    The MIC-E, tnc configuration and glossary have been moved from the const folder.  They can now be access from the following urls.  The links to them on the DCARA APRS site have been update.

http://www.kc5goi.net/aprs/const/mic_e.htm

http://www.kc5goi.net/aprs/tnc_configuration_settings.htm

http://www.kc5goi.net/aprs/glossary.htm

 

8.7.99:    I have received a notice on the APRS list server that a station in Florida will be sending reports on hurricanes in an automated format this year.   I have placed the callsign he is going to use in the stations.txt file so it will be broadcast out on 2 meters.  The storms themselves will show the name and as of today Doris and Eugene are showing up in the Pacific ocean.

    W5NGU-3 has been performing very well since it went into service.   I have changed the message that W5NGU-3 is sending out from a test message to a message stating if you have questions to contact KC5GOI.

7.1.99:    The DCARA digipeater is now being tested. The callsign is set to W5NGU-3.   The setup consists of a KPC3 version 8.2, a Motorola Moxy 25 watt radio and a Ringo Ranger antenna at 300 ft est.  I have configured ngu-3 to respond to the following callsigns, kc5goi-3 and the aliases of wide and relay.  This should allow time for persons to change settings in their equipment.  My plans are to install the new digi on July 10.  The plans for KC5GOI-3 are to install her at a site in Roanoke.  The goal for this is to bridge the hole between Denton and the National Weather Service.  The current link budget requires another hop to the NWS.  The majority of the time the path is weak.  GOI-3s presence should help get data that way from the north   Contact KC5GOI for more  information on the digis.

6.30.99:  The DCARA web page is now online.  This page will be maintained by KC5GOI, Guy Story. 

                The beta release of WinAPRS 2.3.0 was released last week.  If you wish to use the beta visit            ftp://aprs.rutgers.edu/pub/hamradio/APRS/ and look for a directory labeled winaprs_beta.  After you download the file, unzip it and place it in the same directory as your current version.  It has a different name so you will not overwrite your older version.  This beta is time limited to August but a full release should be out soon.  There have been some improvements made to 2.3.0 over 2.2.8.  These improvements are the result of Marks work on XAPRS for Linux.

                The DCARA APRS Web page has been added to the APRS Webring.  Check it out for links to other pages.

 

 

 

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