Offgrid Text Messaging with APRS & SMSGTE- No Random Contacts Series

In today's installment, we're going to attempt a technique to send an SMS text message without access to the cell network or the Internet using an amateur radio. We'll explore packet radio and look at using APRS and the SMSGTE service to send text messages to anyone in the world while hiking in the backcountry.
0:00 Intro & Mission Objective
0:37 Attack of the Cholla!
2:39 Comms Field Gear
4:16 Offline Text Message Exercise
6:54 Repeater Voice Test
8:12 After Action Report
9:29 How did we do this?
12:49 APRS Gear Requirements
16:52 Mobilinkd TNC Setup
18:58 APRSDroid Demo
23:39 Close
26:36 Bonus Footage
SUPPORT
www.buymeacoffee.com/thetechp...
GEAR SHOWN
1. Yaesu VX-6R - amzn.to/3yjKoyb
2. Mobilinkd TNC - store.mobilinkd.com/products/...
3. Mobilinkd TNC Cable for VX-6 - store.mobilinkd.com/products/...
4. APRSDroid - aprsdroid.org/
5. Source Tactical Universal Tube Adapter for Hydration Systems - amzn.to/3rP7h96
RESOURCES
1. SMSGTE Registration - smsgte.org/login/
#thetechprepper #aprs #offgrid #norandomcontacts

[@thuff3207]

Just remember SMSGTE is not free. We need to support them to keep this working. It’s a great service.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thank you for calling this out. It was in my notes and completely forgot. I'm pinning your post.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Good to know. Didn't realize they needed support, we can't lose this capability!

[@EvanBoyar]

@@TheTechPrepper Very sad to report it's offline (see the note on the project's website). What've you been using to replace it, if anything?

[@hkmp5s]

You set up the camera before you pulled out the cactus, that's dedication.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Actually, the first set were not bad. There were only a couple of barbed spines attached to my ankle and shoe. The second one, about 20 minutes later, had about 30 points of attachment to my ankle and leg, hence no camera. I wanted that sucker off. We had 50 mph wins come through that scattered the cholla all over the place. They're like cactus land mins. Cheers!

[@attribute-4677]

Please don’t “dog” yourself on what you have to offer. I’ve been a ham and radio hobbyist for 20+ years and I’m still learning things from you. Thank you for your videos and time!

[@colinbaker1512]

Great material Gaston! As a "rookie" I appreciate being on this journey with you and the digestable way you are able to break topics down!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, Colin. Welcome to the hobby. You are not far behind me. Keep up the good work! It's nice to hear that you're enjoying the format. I'll do my best to keep the explanations as simple as I can. I figure that if I show people what's possible that it may spark enough interest from them to go off and try some of the techniques themselves.

[@chrisherd991]

Buddie I have been in Telco and ham stuff for 30 years. You are doing fine. Ignore the armchair perfectionists who dont get attacked by a plant.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Haha. Thanks for the chuckle. Will do.

[@Tater26013]

I've been licensed since 2008 and I find your channel very interesting, there are some things I know and don't, but I keep my mouth shut and ears open as I may learn something new. I thank you for your videos and always look forward to the next one.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad to hear that you're finding some gems. 73 de KT1RUN

[@markt.3454]

Been doing Amateur Radio for about 18 years with most of my interest split between ARES/Emcomm/Auxcomm and exploring grid down communication options. Even though I've already done many of the things you demonstrate, I really enjoy your channel and the organized, straight forward approach you have in explaining what you're doing. If you were going to use APRS for messaging in the area around your home location, you could always put a digipeater at or near your home, and set APRSDroid for wide3-3 if that's what it took to get to an Igate. Even an old 90's vintage TAPR TNC2 can be linked to about any 2m radio you have laying around to make one.

[@TheTechPrepper]

That's an excellent point. I used to run a digipeater on a RPi 3B+ with Dire Wolf and YAAC. I'll have to connect it back to my FT-2980R and try it with just Dire Wolf. Thanks for the reminder. 73

[@pedalcentric]

Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for taking the time to make them.

[@iflylo96]

Another great informative video. I appreciate you getting into more of the technical aspects of amateur radio. I'm learning something new with each video!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad you found it useful. There will plenty of technical topics coming. If you have not seen it, check out my digital modes series. Have a good one.

[@johnblaisdell2179]

I would not consider this a failure. The fact you have an after action report in the shack is proof positive that you are gaining knowledge and experience. I've been licensed since 2009 and been part of my local ARES group since day one. I see so many that talk and never do anything. You are getting out there in the field and doing and sharing your experience with others and maybe inspiring a few along the way. Keep it up and keep the great videos coming. 73 de W4CJB

[@TheTechPrepper]

I'll keep the videos coming. Glad to hear that you're enjoying the content. Keep up the great work with your ARES groip.

[@timjames6091]

You did an excellent job carefully explaining everything. Good job!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad to hear it. That was the goal. The next video will build on this topic. Have a good one.

[@blankreganon5395]

These videos are great. Since you are new to all of this, you are relaying knowledge that you are just learning yourself. Because of this, you are including all of the pitfalls and how to get around them. And, your "failures" keep it real and help us to see what to do it it doesn't work correctly the first time.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks. When I started this journey a little over two years ago I felt that the context of being a newbie might help others along the way. It looks like sharing the experience and growth along the way is helping a few people. Cheers and thanks for your continued support.

[@rider275]

I am new to the hobby. Your videos have great content for someone of my skill level. I am watching your videos so that I can make more informed purchases as I move forward in the hobby. Thanks!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Welcome to the hobby! Glad to hear it. That's my goal...to make this content accessible and easy. You guys can always go deep on theory once you get hooked. Sorry for the delay, I've been in the backcountry for 5 days. Cheers and enjoy the air waves.

[@davidgames5238]

This is a great video, very clearly explained and most informative. Thanks for taking the time and effort to make this. Will be looking out for more! Best 73, Dave in the UK

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Cr0cket20]

Definitely enjoy your content and following your journey. I've dabbled with APRS as well and like it from the standpoint of another tool in the toolbelt. For me it has been good to understand that it's hit and miss in my experience. But enjoyed learning and playing around with it. Keep the content coming, I'm learning a lot from your vids.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad that you're enjoying the content and the journey. It's radio and KZbin with a purpose. APRS is definitely hit and miss, but it's a nice tool nonetheless. Take care.

[@SimonVK3XEM]

Awesome content as always! I enjoy APRS and have an iGate running at my QTH for the local Ham community.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thank you for providing this service to the community. 73

[@timbenns9945]

Been a Ham for about 2 years also. Not alot of information about the prepper side of radio. I share these videos with my like minded buddies. Keep them coming.

[@baconwhiskey821]

EDC multi tool is silly, until you need it. Loved it! Enjoying the No Random Contacts series and this video. Thanks

[@TheTechPrepper]

I thought it was silly until I moved to the desert. Like many, I thought a pocket knife will do...it will not. Also, plastic hair combs don't work for big Chollas. Somone recommended it as a tool to remove them, but it failed for me if you have one with upwards of a dozen attachment points to your skin. Take care.

[@AD6DMDennis]

Thanks for the rundown on using APRS with SMSGTE. I have found, like any other contingency comms method, you have to be very patient with getting the message out. Not the best for a live demo, so we understand the breaks in recording and the home AAR's. You're working with 30+ mile gateways as well, so that's an added variable. Anyway, thanks for showing the public how this works, and hopefully more hams can have this in their toolbox.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I love it when you stop by the comments, Denis. Hopefully, the video was not too high-level for you. I was really trying to figure out how to explain this topic to all the new non-hams (or newly licensed hams) that are joining the channel. Live demos are tricky especially on 5 watts at this distance. In the end, I hope that it is enough to get people going with APRS.

[@NickFrom1228]

Nice vid. No need to apologize. We are all at some place in all this and you have been clear about what you are doing. If anyone complains, they are clearly not paying attention.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Excellent point. I appreciate the kind words. More content coming. Have wonderful weekend.

[@stone3249]

I just got my call sign this week. I have been watching for a few weeks. This info has helped me discover the uses of my licensee. Thanks for the information and don’t be discouraged by the “experts”. You are helping.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Welcome to the hobby! Glad to hear that the info is helping. Thanks for the encouragement. Enjoy the airwaves.

[@anthonygannon5461]

No need to be real technical, I enjoy them as they are simple enough for this old man to understand. Thank you great job.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I appreciate that!

[@prillewitz]

Don’t talk about failures. As a starting Ham I find your videos informative. Trial and error is how it works.

[@Sean-AI7EQ]

I've used SMSGTE to text my wife when I had no cell service and was stuck in traffic on a snowy pass last winter. It worked great. I run an iGate for APRS for this very reason! Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to the next video.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad to see others using these techniques in the wild. Are you running Dire Wolf for your IGate? I had my RPi3 setup as an IGate, but haven't turned it on since last year.

[@Sean_Hartley]

@@TheTechPrepper I'm using a Windows machine running APRSIS32. I am not super familiar with Linux and the Raspberry Pi.

[@timreasoner3744]

Still thinking this thru, there is a lot of capability with this set up! Another good one!!

[@TheTechPrepper]

APRS provides a lot of value. We barely scratched the surface of its capabilities. There's plenty of food for thought here. Cheers.

[@tophattommy2]

Thank you for the easy to understand material on this!

[@TheTechPrepper]

You're very welcome!

[@thearchitect4726]

thanks for showing me this, i am keen to set up peer to peer messaging between aprs stations, i find this fascinating.

[@TheoSmith249]

Licensed amateur over 50yrs ago at 15yrs old. Left hobby for 30 yrs. Now back and enjoying catching up with your content. Excellent clarity of thought. 👍🏼

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad to see that you came back to the hobby! Thanks for the support.

[@chrisharrison2552]

I’ve been off about 30yrs also just got a alinco hf radio like CW some day I’ll be back on the air lol

[@DonzLockz]

Another great practical real world demo test.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad you thought so. Cheers!

[@Choppus13]

I've already played around with aprs and sent text messages. Still love the content and watch all the videos.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Cheers to another APRS user! Thanks for the support. Trust me there will be some new stuff coming later in the series.

[@FTWOAN]

a bit technical, but definitely a cool thing we can do with radios. Thanks for making another great video.

[@TheTechPrepper]

It was a bit technical, but I tried to keep it very high level. The next video will build on this same concept. Take care.

[@lancekilkenny721]

Thanks from a former Phoenician! Great information.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad you enjoyed the info. APRS and SMSGTE are great tools, but your mileage can vary. Cheers!

[@toddbarnes8712]

Great video brother.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, man. Sorry for the delay. I was out backpacking.

[@Qwiv]

Good call to send text where you got all the thorns. You will rarely get injured while in the perfect place to send a message. Getting a cactus is a good example of a random spot simulating a worse injury.

[@TheTechPrepper]

You're exactly right. It seemed like the logical point to stop and a raise the message. It was not the greatest position to get the signal out, but accidents can happen anywhere.

[@rogerf3622]

Great video. Thx.

[@R3dN3cK]

Another great video. I use my Anytone 878 that dose analog APRS SMS on the radio. It works great but it's like old-school texting! LOL

[@TheTechPrepper]

The good old days of texting pre-smartphone. My Yaesu VX8-DR and Kenwood D710 are the same.

[@herrprepper2070]

Another excellent video with detailed information. Having said that, I personally got rid of all the techie stuff and simplified my HAM life. No more Whizbang Series 97.A digital or Hoohah 49 Integrated SignalSeeker. I’m in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming, surrounded on all sides by mountains of dizzying heights (DN54d?). I don’t do DX. My son is 150 miles crow-flight, the other side of Powder River Pass. NVIS 80 meter does it for us. When the balloon goes up, I think my FLIR LS-XR and Garands will be more valuable to me than the ability to send email. I could be wrong… so we’ll see.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I like your style. When all is fails, sideband voice and wire antenna to the rescue. I've been doing a bit of 75m and 40m NVIS these days. That's the way to go.

[@jasonhopkins3309]

Thanks for the videos! I'm new and you explain it in an understandable way. Getting current info on packet radio is difficult. There seems to be a lot to learn at the same time. It's hard when you're not sure if the info you're reading from 20 years ago has been updated or not. Thanks for examples of things that work. I agree, it would be good to revamp this to make it more streamlined. Too bad the radios don't seem to have emcomm as a priority. From what I can tell, the discontinued Kenwoods were the best. I think there is an obvious market for an HT with a built in TNC. But, maybe I'm wrong or don't understand what I'm talking about ;)

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad to hear that you enjoy the videos. I try to make it simple as I really struggled to get into amateur radio and nearly gave up. I also had a number of bad experiences with some salty hams that also nearly contributed to an early exit from the hobby. More content the way. Thanks for the support and good luck with your journey.

[@pony_4759]

Awesome video !! Thank You !

[@TheTechPrepper]

You very welcome. Thank you!

[@cheeseburgerwalrus499]

Never think you have to know everything to give input on something. I've learned a lot from your videos, things I never knew or expected with analog radio. I'm still studying for my ham tech, so I'm very new myself, but packet radio greatly interests me. I'm in the computer networking world for a living and it's crazy how much it ties in with what I know for a profession (after all, networking is essentially just data being carried over different mediums, analog radio is exactly that). Love your videos, they have been my main source of information that makes me excited to get into the radio world. Why stop at voice? There's so much more out there.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Good luck with your license. This is a hobby of a thousand hobbies. Glad to hear you're finding value in the content.

[@innercityprepper]

ultra-expert or not, as a prepper and radio sorta-noob, I found the information useful. Good video!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Cheers to another pepper. We're going to get into some series comms for preparedness. Take care.

[@innercityprepper]

@@TheTechPrepper Thank you my friend.

[@Quoodle1]

Additional suggestion: Try carrying a small yagi/uda beam antenna. I'm an Emergency leader in California in a place with lots of hills and mountains and canyons blocking people. While we do have a lot of repeaters and our group uses some crossband repeaters (even linking two together), there is one person in our group who communicates a long distance by "bouncing" a signal off a nearby mountain. Haven't tested the extent of the capability, but it does work for him.

[@DerHossMeister]

I can feel those cholla! Growing up in Tucson back in the late 70's....we were always out in the desert and when you're doing that, it's only a matter of time till you're wearing some cholla!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Cheers to a former local! Everything in this desert wants to bite, sting and prick you.

[@ericwalker3368]

I enjoy your videos.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad you like them!

[@Echolimabravo321]

Great vid!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad you liked it.

[@markspoo6637]

Thank you for this video

[@TheTechPrepper]

It's my pleasure.

[@chrisdee3211]

I dont really need the technical explanation. This was a good video for someone like me. Im not stupid... I could understand technical... but I pick up on simple faster. Good video!

[@troymalaspino3574]

Yeah those Mobilinkd TNC's have been tough to find - hopefully the designer is using this "down" time to improve the "on" button. My philosophy is that finding the failure point of any system is a success, not a failure! Also, what caliber for "attacking cholla"? 🤣 Keep up the good work Gaston, and find some kevlar socks.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I really hope they implement a mechanical slider switch that requires some force to turn off and off the next iteration. That last Cholla was easily a .45-70. It had upwards 30 attachment points. ;-)

[@ManuelPinner]

I had this Radio, ft6, Very Tough and great ht, now I have a FT5D,

[@ke8mattj]

@0:48 Youch! Might be time to invest in a pair of trail hikers. When I was still trail running, had to use those along with track pants for some of stinging nettle patches around here. Just to give some input, when I signed up for the SMSGTE service, it required a phone number sent through APRS. To ensure my actual number was not publicly known on the APRS network, I went ahead and downloaded a second number app, and used it once to set up the SMSGTE account. Logged in, set up aliases, and uninstalled app. Also, neat device at the end of the video. Looks like I'll have to buy one.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I have been looking at running gaiters for awhile, but they all seem better suited for keeping dirt out of the show. Thanks for sharing your tips. Be careful with the approach of using a second number app. If you ever forget your password, it will try to use that original number. The nice thing about using your actual phone number is that I believe you get some additional administrative management functions. At any rate, its great that you went through the registration process and were thinking out of the box. I signed up over two years ago and have completely forgot the details of the actual registration process.

[@MrNomadBrad]

Good stuff!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, Brad! I appreciate the view and comment.

[@mcdpews7928]

Very cool, will be getting my Technician next month and want to use APRS for added fun while mountain biking. Found a video by KM6LYW Radio about auto-responding APRS. Could be a good way to check if messages are getting through.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Good luck with your license! Enjoy the air waves. 73 de KT1RUN

[@530eman]

Thank you for taking the time to “dumb it down” for us slow learners and nontekie noobs; outstanding job sir. The elitists can go whine elsewhere… Keep moving forward 👊🏻💥

[@TheTechPrepper]

You're welcome. If you liked this one, you may like the video that is going live in about 15 minutes--The "Jungle Antenna".

[@michaelditurno4372]

No failure here dude, not even close. The only failure would be to not test anything and learn what works and does not work. You rocked it as always. KC8OWL

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, man. I failed to mention thr actual failure in the AAR. The squelch was not fully open. I likely received a faint acknowledgement that did not break the squelch.

[@matt3403]

Roger that 5/5 in "still learning" as we all are. Dont let the keyboard experts get you down matey. Great information.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks. I won't. I am working on developing a leathery social media skin. ;-)

[@aw7425]

Very helpful, thanks and 73

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ralphnunn3]

Ugh. The Cholla Cacti. One thing I DO NOT miss about Arizona... ;-)

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yeah, everything wants to bite, sting and prick you here. ;-)

[@scottlaughlin2447]

Thanks for this. I did APRS several years ago. Components are hard to locate. I'll be watching for you. 73 de Scott N7NET. QRZ is not updated on my QTH.

[@paulkish007]

ThankYou

[@TheTechPrepper]

You're welcome

[@shandybrandy5407]

Lovely scenery and a great explanation too. May I please know how to magnify the mobile phone in split screen as you have demonstrated. Hope to hear soon. Cheers!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Sorry, I don't know. Perhaps, try watching this video on computer with bigger screen?

[@NickWindham]

Ham and GMRS need to join forces with Meshtastic.

[@imagingconcepts]

Good work, and don’t sweat that you might not be technically precise, it’s called Amateur Radio, not I am a “Self Proclaimed Expert Radio”

[@TheTechPrepper]

Haha. Excellent point. Thanks!

[@ronaldlwilliams6839]

Hi Tech Prepper, I am very new to this. Not that SMSGTE is shut down, what do you use for a gate way to send text and email messages? Much love my brother! Thank you for teaching us and showing us how to think and use common sense.

[@singletona082]

While I lack the funds to indulge. This is something interesting and potentially worthwhile. Especially given how most would scoff at radio because 'cellphones are everywhere.'

[@TheTechPrepper]

I refuse to be that guy that says, "I told you so" when the cell network is impacted for more than a day. You can always get into radio with a $25 Baofeng radio from Amazon. That's what I ran the first year. Take care.

[@singletona082]

@@TheTechPrepper I've got a baofeng. Need to get my license back. It's more all the little odds and ends since i'm starting from Nothing that someone wit ha full tool box thinsk nothing of. All the little incidentals that just kinda eat at things. Plusthe mobilink is unobtanium right now (heard it will be up again in december.) I do want one of those because it looks like literally the perfect companion device. hope your feet are OK post cactusing.

[@micaguidry1389]

Hi Mr. Prepper. Your videos have really helped me in so many ways. Thanks for doing what you do for us basic folks. Well, I am having problems setting up ARPS and I watched your video and HRCC. I keep getting APRS STOPPED WORKING. When go into preference and transmit its all go. I am lost. Please advise!

[@LarsLarsen77]

Some asshole started spewing APRS packets on our local repeater today. Thanks for that.

[@_RadioMadeEasy]

Gaston I'm learning more every time you upload - thank you. Pardon my ignorance, but can a digirig accomplish any of this? Itching to experiment with something that is available for purchase.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yes and no. As of today, I do not believe that APRSDroid supports the serial interface that the DigiRig presents. However, I have used the DigiRig with AndFlmsg (fldigi and flmsg). I also hear that serial support was recently added to WoAD (Winlink). I tend to use the DigiRig with a tablet or computer as it works with all the ham radio software that can work with a soundcard interface.

[@TinyTJ04]

Thanks for this video. I'm learning digital modes, too. Very early in the game. Would you be able to do this with your Digirig rather than the Mobilink? It seems like the digirigs are more available.

[@TheTechPrepper]

You are very welcome. The DigiRig does not yet work with APRSDroid, but I am sure that support is coming. However, you can use this same technique with the DigiRig, a computer and APRS client software (i.e. Xastir and YAAC). I covered this in my Digital Modes series. Keep learning!

[@adlucem9845]

Wonder if that abbree 42.5" with some tent poles, retractable fishing pole, something to get antenna up higher would change things?

[@bluenetmarketing]

Get a Garmin InTouch Mini 2. Works everywhere.

[@Trent28888]

I made a wearble antenna that would of been good for doin that but also have u ever thought about makin a portable yagi u can take with ya?

[@vestale4]

Great video, by doing, testing, filming and puting on KZbin we all learn! Try to send your positon at the begining, if there is a digipeater(like W7MOT-3) nearby, you will receive it back, and you will know that 2 way comunication is working using APRS. After that, try to send the message and expect ACK. #mapme function/command from SMSGTE is also a nice feature. Shoutout to Paul, VE3OTB, the creator of SMSGTE service!

[@TheTechPrepper]

That's an great tip. Thanks! A big thanks to Paul for providing this service.

[@WladimirJr]

Hi. Do you have the link to the yaesu vx-7r antenna, which you published in one of your videos?

[@drewrinella1646]

Hey I got your plans on your blog to work with a Pi 2 and the wifi dongle you linked on there. The code just stays as WLAN0. Thanks for doing that.

[@dojohns]

Thanks keep it up. Ignore the “experts” 😊

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thank you, I will. Take care, Doug.

[@michaelchambers7691]

Try a Diamond RH77B or RH77CA whip antenna, it may improve your range.

[@billking3313]

I personally don't think you need to apologize to anyone. They can go elsewhere and act smarter than everyone. No need for 'em.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, Bill. Either way I wanted to set the record straight regarding my experience level before we get too far into this series. If nothing else, I hope these videos inspire people to get outdoors, encourage them to experiment, and get new people into radio. Take care.

[@kentuckyproud4575]

Do you have any other videos on this particular topic? Really interested in more info on sms over radio!

[@TheTechPrepper]

I do. Here you go: kzbin.infosearch?query=smsgte

[@miscreanity]

Fantastic video, thank you! Is this technically feasible with a Digirig and Android+OTG?

[@TheTechPrepper]

Not yet as I do not believe that APRSDroid supports the serial interface, but I would expect that this support is coming. I have used the OTG cable and DigiRig with the AndFlmsg app. I believe the WoAD app may work too, but have not tested.

[@arielswings]

gonna go ahead and... go ahead and ... go ahead ... go ahead

[@cameronalexander359]

You need gaiter's dude! 👍😎

[@homersaypian3798]

Boots and shorts my boy.

[@haleynash835]

My dad loves your hat and I would really like to get him one for Christmas! Where did you get your hat made?

[@TheTechPrepper]

I wish I knew. The hat was actually sent to me as a gift from a viewer about a year ago. Same thing goes for the patch, another viewer made it and sent it my way. You may just want to find a hat online that has a spot for a morale patch (loop), then find a company like patchpanel.ca to patch for you.

[@shanebarton8180]

I'm curious if the TNC will fit in an Altoids tin? It may help protect from accidental power on? I may try it once my TNC4 arrives. Great video BTW!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yes, it does fit. That's were I've been storing mine for the last year. I will also have enough room for the interface cable for the HT and a small USB charging cable.

[@Dave_KE5ES]

Question: Is there a list of current APRS capable handheld radios? I already have a couple but they are rare and out of production (Kenwood 74 and 72). I was thinking of a cheat sheet laminated with all the different APRS codes for smsgte, email, sota and pota spotting.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I have not searched for a list, but the Yaesu FT5DR and newest model of the AnyTone 878 supports it. I created laminated cheatsheets for APRS 2 years back, so that I can remember the format. I'll try to show then in the next video if I don't forget. I'm on a mountain at the moment. My cards cover: SMSGTE, EMAIL-2, WXBOT and APRS2SOTA.

[@ozvary]

hi, I don't understand how such a setup can work with 100% reliability. Is it possible to switch the speaker output to the discriminator output? Or switch data mode? sorry my englis...

[@natehowe7975]

Appreciate all your videos, thanks for taking the time. Do you foresee getting a satellite communicator such as a Garmin inReach series to push messages back to your wife? Or perhaps one for each of you? I hate the subscription fees but if it would guarantee another option I would consider it for my household. I’m just afraid that it still depends on Internet and servers that might be down - my question is whether two of these devices route through the satellite infrastructure or rely upon ground technology to finish the connection. Meanwhile, VX-6R is awesome with its wide receive and durability. Do you foresee getting an FT-5DR with APRS built in? Probably not as durable.

[@TheTechPrepper]

You are very welcome. Yes, to both. I plan to get the lowest tier plan for a Garmin InReach. I also plan to get a FT5DR specifically for the IP67 rating and built-in APRS. They're on the board for 2023.

[@natehowe7975]

I was looking at the inReach Mini 2 but they just came out with the Messenger. It has more battery time and can recharge your cell phone, plus it is cheaper. It seems the Mini 2 is more about the GPS features, so that might be the one you prefer. I was thinking to get the annual subscription at the lower monthly cost since you never know when you might need it. I wouldn’t use it much, just keep it with me in my EDC backpack. As for the FT-5DR, I think it has less transmit frequencies. Not sure if MARS/CAP would address that. The VX-6R has tons of transmit frequencies that add to its emergency prepper value. But for anything digital the FT-5DR would be the winner. The price is a bitter pill, but if you recommend it I suspect sales will go up!

[@blankreganon5395]

I don't have a Garmin but it sounds like it doesn't give you a permanent phone number. It is great to send messages first to a cell phone and they can reply. However, the person with the cell phone can't text first. One way to get around this is to send a test message from the Garmin first. Not sure if this is still true, but something to check before you buy one.

[@TheTechPrepper]

@@natehowe7975 Nate, I am personally looking into research and getting a Garmin InReach. We literally made it home at 0400 this morning after having a medical emergency on Mt. Whitney. Our family member is recovering now after a lengthy rescue.The Garmin InReach Mini saved the life of a family member. There will be a video coming in few days. Radio actually failed.

[@michaelchambers7691]

I have a working RadioShack HTX-245 dual-band HT that uses only 3 AA batteries and I have adapters to convert to using AAA's.

[@TheTechPrepper]

That's a classic! I have a soft spot for older radios that still perform well. Thanks for sharing!

[@dangermandave67]

Sucks that the Mobilinkd TNC isn't available. I've used a Baofeng in VOX mode with the Btech cable going into a USB dongle connected to my Samsung phone running APRSdroid. It works OK most of the time, requiring some fiddling with media volume and VOX settings. Finished up buying a FT-2DR, which works better. Most of the time, I've managed to hit a repeater just using a Signalstick or telescoping whip antenna. Occasionally, I've needed to throw up a roll-up j-pole. Amazing how far away you can hit a digipeater from with just a HT, provided you are are at a sufficient elevation. My main application has been putting up SOTA spots and sometimes sending an SMS to my wife. Question for you: is HF APRS still a thing? Are folks still using 30m with Direwolf to send packets? Or has everyone migrated to JS8Call now?

[@TheTechPrepper]

Actually, I originally bought the Mobilinkd TNC2 for spotting myself for SOTA. It worked incredibly well in my area. Yes, APRS HF is still a thing, but I have yet to try it. It seems that JS8Call and FT8 are the new cool kids in town. My group and I actually favor NBEMS (fldigi+flmsg using the 8PSK-1000F or MT63-2KL modems) on 2m/440 FM. These modes do not work with the Mobilinkd since that's a packet-only device, but the DigiRig Mobile works great here.

[@MrLilmac75]

Their website says they are shut down, but I did not confirm it.

[@DrChazKL0T]

Can you set up a more powerful mobile unit with good antenna in your vehicle to digipeat your message to the internet gateway?

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yes. I run a 50 watt Kenwood D710GA in the Jeep with built-in APRS. It has support for digipeating. I have a Diamond K400 mount with a Comet SBB-5 2m/70cm antenna. It's a great solution to the problem you are describing. There are other mobile radios that may do this, but I only have experience with the D710.

[@79attaboy]

I am still confused on the differences between aprs, echolink and winlink? Are they all interchangeable or you have to use whats available in your area?

[@TheTechPrepper]

These modes can be confusing and those ones that you listed are all different modes, they all do different things, and they are all subject to the infrastructure that's in your area. APRS - Is very much a digital mode for VHF communication. Your success is dependent on how many APRS users/stations that you have in your area. It has many features such as (but no limited to): location tracking, station-to-station messages, and things like sending SMS text messages as shown in this video. Winlink works on HF/VHF/UHF is designed for sending/receiving email. EchoLink - I have not worked with it, soI can't comment.

[@ManuelPinner]

I have a Yeasu FT5D HT!

[@TheTechPrepper]

That's a beautiful rig. Lucky! An all-in-one APRS radios like the FT5D is the way to go.

[@garylawrence1575]

Now that SMSGATE is not working or is for the time being you ought to explore putting messaging directly to WhatsApp in your emcomm software

[@TheTechPrepper]

There are no plans to include any software packages that require the Internet to work.

[@dougdaniels]

What current production HTs (Kenwood/Yaesu/Icom) that have APRS capability built in would you recommend? I have an Android tablet but no TNC, and as you said, the fewer components, the fewer failure points.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Take a look at the Yaesu FT5DR. There are others, but I'd have to research them. I also understand that the latest model of the AnyTone 878 also support APRS fully, the early versions only beaconed.

[@pale_2111]

Icom doesn't make a radio with APRS. They have DPRS, which is a digital version but nowhere near the capability of APRS. It (DPRS) only shows your GPS position to another station while talking on D-STAR Reflectors, over a D-STAR repeater or on simplex in DV mode. As an Icom fan boy myself, I wish they would make an APRS radio or make some improvements to DPRS. Kenwood discontinued the D74 HT and D710G mobile radio last year. You can still find them used, but people are going to ask a ridiculous price for them. Not sure if they have anything planned to replace those radios in the near future. Yaesu made the FT3D and its replacement, the FT5D. Both have APRS capability built in. A used FT3D can be found for around $350. I believe they use the same battery, don't quote me on that. A brand new FT5D is around $500. I've got the FT3D and love the radio. It's easy to use with the touch screen and fairly easy to program. The downside is the battery. The largest battery is 2200 mAh, which doesn't last too long with the GPS turned on while using it. It does have aftermarket batteries made by Batteries of America. Just wish Yaesu would put a wee bit more thought into designing a radio. Other than that, the FT3D is my "field" go to radio. I take it while hunting here in Tennessee just in case I get into an area with no cellphone service and need some help. I don't have any experience with any DMR Radios that have the APRS capability, so I can't comment on those. Hopefully this helps you out if you plan on buying an HT with APRS capability.

[@dmitriyshvidchenko6657]

@@pale_2111 For TNC part look at DIGIRIG - I have not tried it with APRS on Android yet, but it works really fine with Winlink. The only inconvenience with it - it doesn't have bluetooth, so it requires two cables 1 between HT and DIGIRIG and 2 between DIGIRIG and the phone.

[@TheTechPrepper]

@@pale_2111 It's a shame that Icom does not make an APRS radio and that the classic APRS radios from Kenwood are now discontinued. I have two D710GA's and previously owned a D74A. I sold the D74A as I would have broken in it the backcountry in short order, but I did love the features. The SSB receive capabilities were great, too. These days, it seems that the only game in town are the FT5D and the new AnyTone 878. Cheers and apologies for the delay in response.

[@feltusfeicit]

Worth noting that SMSGTE does not work with all radios (sorry if this has already been mentioned). I was disappointed to find that it does not work with AnyTone HTs natively, it probably does if you use the TNC and a data cable.

[@andrewrussell6936]

If your phone was still connected to Internet wouldn't it be bypassing the Yaesu in getting info from the smsgte system? I was testing this and realized I was having success but only because I was on wifi with the phone sending the text and the phone hosting the aprsdroid and it didn't need the radio to execute the communication.

[@TheTechPrepper]

No, it's configured to send the packets via the TNC interface (Mobilinkd). I have been using this technique for years. The only application where I saw the behavior you're describing is with aprs.fi.

[@Jhan_one0eight]

That is why never shorts in the field 😅

[@tomsmall6220]

What about using an audio cable between the phone and radio, instead of the Mobilink?

[@TheTechPrepper]

That works with some radios. The Baofeng UV-5R can do this with VOX and just a cable.

[@captainhindsight2215]

Have you looked into the VR-N7500? It looks promising with the right software. If you could make it work with Emcom Tools that would be the ultimate in inexpensive off grid comms.

[@TheTechPrepper]

That's a very interesting radio. I appreciate you putting it on my radar. I'll have to look into this. EmComm Tools is very much delayed due to time constraints, but I am changing things up so that I can start work on it again.

[@captainhindsight2215]

@@TheTechPrepper I appreciate you taking the time to do things right. As you are well aware far too often both hardware and software are released half baked. I trust that when it's ready, it will be ready.

[@TheTechPrepper]

@@captainhindsight2215 Thanks. My plan is just to do an annual release, so I want it stable. In fact, you should be able to use the original version out the gate forever if I do my job right. The plan is release a new version once a year with all the related software upgraded and tested together. I also plan to update the datasets once a year. A lot of this has to do with the fact that is meant to be an offline-first, emergency communications platform. Every new feature add the potential for bugs. The Internet will never be required to use this platform, but it will be supported if the user wants to update various data sets (i.e. call sign database, map tiles, repeater locations, etc.).