Yaesu FT3DR: How to send a SMS text message

[@jaybarr3307]

Your videos are wonderful. PLEASE do more on the FT3D as they are all immediately transferable to my FT5D. (So, it's all about me, I guess. Ha!) Sub'd some time back. Your videos are an educational experience and I love how you provide both context and demonstration. Many others would show the navigation but never demonstrate. Always appreciate.

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you Jay! I will try to work in another FT3DR video. I assume you have already watched all 8 in the FT3DR playlist. 73, de N4HNH

[@jaybarr3307]

@@n4hnhradio Most definitely. Saved as well for speedy reference!

[@TheThorns]

Gret video, question for all , looking for a moderately priced handheld that can EMAIL and SMS Text with APRS. much like this radio, every radio I have seen that can do APRS messaging natively appears to be in the $300 to $600 range. So I am asking if anyone knows of any cheaper solutions that are somewhat reliable?

[@n4hnhradio]

I don’t know of any myself, but maybe someone else will comment with a lesser expensive radio that they are aware of. I know that there are 3rd party devices that can connect to a lesser expensive HT and perform the APRS function. 73, de N4HNH

[@whiskeymike1427]

I use my Yaesu FT-65 and the APRSDroid app. You connect the radio to an android phone with an audio cable. You can set how often to send in the app along with your call sign. Put the radio in VOX and based on how often you have the app set to send your location, it will trigger TX on the FT-65 and then send the data packet. While I was testing at home it didn't work and I thought it was a dud. But after searching for local APRS repeaters I found there weren't any in range of my QTH. Once we got into the north Georgia mountains where I was in range it worked. There are far more repeaters in the north of the state than where I live. I use a Diamond SRH770S flexible duckie on all of my HT's. This antenna has a lot of gain and is flexible so it doesn't get bent ducking under limbs and overhanging rocks. The phone doesn't need to be active on a cell account as it is only being used for GPS and to run the app. I already had an old out-of-service android phone and the FT-65. If you don't have an old android ask around and I bet someone you know has one in a junk pile. As long as it can connect to the internet via wifi to download the app it's good. Battery life can be extended by turning off wifi and bluetooth. You can put your phone in Airplane mode as well so long as the GPS still works in Airplane mode.

[@whiskeymike1427]

I use my Yaesu FT-65 and the APRSDroid app. You connect the radio to an android phone with an audio cable. You can set how often to send in the app along with your call sign. Put the radio in VOX and based on how often you have the app set to send your location, it will trigger TX on the FT-65 and then send the data packet. While I was testing at home it didn't work and I thought it was a dud. But after searching for local APRS repeaters I found there weren't any in range of my QTH. Once we got into the north Georgia mountains where I was in range it worked. There are far more repeaters in the north of the state than where I live. I use a Diamond SRH770S flexible duckie on all of my HT's. This antenna has a lot of gain and is flexible so it doesn't get bent ducking under limbs and overhanging rocks.

[@imaflatpicker3066]

Thanks for sharing your videos. I’m glad I found your channel. You are doing a great service to others.

[@n4hnhradio]

Thanks Don! I remember how frustrating it was for me to find videos of substance for the radios I was interested in purchasing. So, I decided to make some myself. As funds allow, I will purchase others and create more tutorials. The Patreons who support my channel can help make that possible. 73, de N4HNH

[@kg5pte]

How do you access the DTMF keypad to dial echolink nodes ?

[@n4hnhradio]

When you press PTT the option for DTMF will appear at the lower left of the display. Tap DTMF and the keypad appears. 73, de N4HNH

[@kg5pte]

@@n4hnhradio Yes sir I see that works for the FT-2dr and FT-3dr , When I am transmiting with the PTT with my thumb. I am seeing the DTMF in the lower left corner. BUT is the only way to bring it up on the screen ?

[@n4hnhradio]

As far as I know that’s the only way to transmit DTMF. I guess Yaesu economized the display by only showing what you need when you need it. 73, de N4HNH

[@dondonranada6078]

Good afternoon. Do we need internet/wifi when using our APRS ?

[@n4hnhradio]

No, you don’t need Internet or WiFi. APRS uses RF gateways to the Internet. There are iGates and digipeaters.

[@dondonranada6078]

@@n4hnhradio thank you for your respone

[@dondonranada6078]

@@n4hnhradio sir how about sending sms messages using aprs, do we need wifi/internet?

[@n4hnhradio]

No. The radio has no WiFi option anyway. It isn’t needed.

[@flyinb45]

Excellent information. I'm interested in picking up an FT3DR for commercial/GMRS use. Is there an SMS or APRS function available that doesn't utilize the amateur APRS freq? Would messages between HT's fall within the amateur band as well? Thanks

[@n4hnhradio]

You will need the amateur APRS system to route the messages.

[@flyinb45]

@@n4hnhradio Thank you

[@VE3ORE]

Hi Doug, Thanks for the useful video. I was able to send to SMS ok but not receive a reply. Thinking about that. Anyway, my question is what does the flashing A12 signify, is it related to this function? Thanks, Andy VE3ORE

[@VE3ORE]

just figured out that it shows modem is on and what baud rate its set to. 73

[@n4hnhradio]

The flashing A12 indicates that APRS Mute is enabled. 73, de N4HNH

[@lpark8]

Thanks great video. Wont let me send however. Push M-TX and nothing happens, as though button not being activated. Maybe because not in range, or because I’m in Canada? Thanks again 🙏😎

[@adanlewis7489]

I was also the same problem, sending okay but haven't received anything.

[@MarkSticht]

@@adanlewis7489 I don't use this radio, but when I started using SMSGTE I could send from radio to phone no problem, but when I replied on my phone it never hit my radio. Finally I figured out if I put my radio in just the right place that I could get the reply. Going from phone to radio can only work if you are within range of an I-gate that will transmit messages from APRS-IS to RF. I could confirm that SMSGTE was trying to send my radio b/c I could see the message online. I wasn't happy with having to stand in just the right place so I setup an I-gate for my area - problem solved, I now get my messages and the ACK from SMSGTE when I send from the radio. Another issue - if I get on the air and send from RF to phone, it will work right away, but if the i-gate in the area hasn't seen your call sign on the air, they won't forward your traffic from APRS-IS to RF. They will only forward to users who they've seen in the area recently - so maybe give it time before trying to send from phone to RF and see if your position is showing up on aprs.fi.

[@Sam-w9des]

i get the text on my phone but on radio i dont get conformation it sent or i dont get a message back when i send one from my phone??

[@n4hnhradio]

I sent one from the FT3DR to my wife, so she could just reply to it from then on. It worked.

[@n4hnhradio]

When your SMS message is received by an iGate, your callsign will appear onscreen, followed by the letters SMSGTE. This confirms that the gateway received your message. When the person you sent the text to responds, the LED will blink bright white a couple of times, accompanied by a couple of beeps, and their message will pop up onscreen. Note that the message will time out and the display will return to normal. But you can press F MW, then M.LIST, and your latest received message will be 1st in the list. Select message 1 and press DISP to read it. You can reply to the message by pressing REPLY. Use the right-pointing arrow key to advance past the phone number and edit the message with your reply. Press Back and then press M-TX to send your reply. Hint: You can set the FT3DR to continuously flash the white LED until you have read the message. Long press DISP and tap the APRS menu category. Go to parameter 5, APRS MSG FLASH and press DISP. Set the MSG option to Continuous. I hope this clarifies it. Maybe I should shoot a video showing a return text. 73, de N4HNH

[@joelraf]

Thanks Doug. Killer. Just tested it. Worked well. Sent you a text @1am. Sorry. Looks like you're still up making videos...

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you Joel!

[@dondonranada6078]

Can i send an sms even aprs is off?

[@n4hnhradio]

It needs the connection to the digipeater or iGate so you would need to keep APRS ensbled.

[@dondonranada6078]

Last question sir: In wide band is it possible to transmit?

[@n4hnhradio]

Are you referring to wide FM? Yes. That’s the normal +/- 5kHz. If you’re referring to transmit outside the legal amateur bands, no.

[@dondonranada6078]

How about short band in ft5d i see usually hf freq, can we transmit also?

[@n4hnhradio]

The 3 and 5 are ham radios with wide receive capabilities. But they only transmit on the 2m and 70cm bands.

[@DuckingAround58]

Great video, would this also work with emails?

[@n4hnhradio]

I don’t think there is a gateway for emails.

[@hbarwickjr]

Cool deal, will try this on the FT5DR. Thank you.

[@n4hnhradio]

FT5DR can definitely send SMS text. 73, de N4HNH

[@hbarwickjr]

@@n4hnhradio Thank you. I want expecting a feed back, you've just got a new subscriber. 🤗

[@n4hnhradio]

Welcome to the channel, Howard. I try to answer or acknowledge as much as I can. This is mostly an Elmering channel. 73, de N4HNH

[@joeschmo5171]

Thanks! Great info!

[@n4hnhradio]

I'm glad you like it. 73, de N4HNH

[@jaowashingtune8729]

hit tx but nothing happened only a dbl beep

[@n4hnhradio]

Do you have the APRS modem enabled?

[@jaowashingtune8729]

@@n4hnhradio regarding the aprs modem i dont know what that is but im learning thanks

[@n4hnhradio]

I think I shot 4 videos and each one assumes you watched the previous one. In one of them I think I showed how to enable the APRS modem. Set it to 1200bps and be sure you have your B VFO set to 144.390MHz.

[@jaowashingtune8729]

@@n4hnhradio much obidged, i saw that you can text message on ft3d and 2d so Im researching that thanks

[@jaowashingtune8729]

@@n4hnhradio Im k6bcv thanks

[@jasonwnolin]

Thank you!

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH

[@ManuelPinner]

Thank You for this Information,

[@n4hnhradio]

You're very welcome! 73, de N4HNH

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Excellent!👍👍😎🇺🇸

[@WillCarrot]

Earned a sub from me! 73s

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel. 73, de N4HNH

[@darrellcollins877]

NOPE

[@terrygriffey4790]

Excellent video! Explained concisely and clearly. Congrats! 73! de KG5OWB

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH