Using APRS - Hints and Tips?

[czenzel]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently got my amateur radio license and upgraded to my Extra class. I am starting to play around with some of the technologies including APRS. I have a Kenwood TH-D72A with APRS / Dual-Bander. I am noticing that I am having some issues and successes with the APRS mode.

Currently I set my beacon settings for SmartBeaconing with a Fast Speed of 120-180 seconds with Slow Speed to 5 minutes - 10 minutes. I am noticing that I am having some issues hitting the aprs.fi maps, but other times it works perfectly fine.

Lately the frequency and transmit has been working great for me. I modified to the settings above and it has been working great just around the house and yard.

I just had a few questions to see what settings others are using for APRS?

1.) Do you use DPRS (D-Star version of APRS) with ICOM? Does it work better than simplex 144.39 APRS?
2.) When you are walking around (such as a town) what settings do you use versus when you are in the car or auto?
3.) Do you use Smart Beaconing vs. Auto vs. Manual? Why and what is your settings?

Thanks for your help,
Christopher Zenzel

 

[Jim Hunt]

I know that APRS will ignore packets packets sent close together unless there is a significant position change. You might want to increase the time for fast since fast usually is highway driving and even if someone is tracking you, they can usually guess where you are (going).

I use smart beaconing to catch more directional changes so when I make a left turn, it sends a packet no matter when the last packet was sent. Without looking, I believe I have it set to 21 degrees and then also when speeds change. Even still, packets are missed when I am in town and close the the APRS repeater.

 

[czenzel]

Thanks Jim. Sounds like we have similar settings for Smart Beaconing. For the Fast Speed I am locked to 180 seconds maximum on the TH-D72A. The slow speed I can set every 5, 10, 15, etc. I may set the slow speed up to 10 or 15 minutes. Thank you for the suggestions.