Ham Radio HF APRS Messaging for Group Communications

[@dvcrash]

I love the video Julian. Could you explain the the use of this software over something like FLDigi for comminations using MFSK-4? What is the advantage in what you are using? Thanks and keep up the outstanding work in the hobby that you do. 73'

[@OH8STN]

Hi Anthony. Thanks for the kindness and the excellent question. The most obvious of benefits is the automation. The app gets your position from your GPS, structures the POS report or message, calculates the checksum, then fires off your beacon or message. FLDigi can't do that. Also if a message comes in when you're not looking at the screen, it doesn't get lost down the endless waterfall. Instead the messages displayed for you in the messages box, as are the list of heard stations with a timestamp of when they were heard. APRS Messenger is also an APRS igate and digipeater. It can also bridge APRS traffic between VHF, HF, and APRS-IS. If those things weren't enough, station activity can be followed through sites like www.aprs.fi Does this make sense? 73 Julian oh8stn

[@dvcrash]

OH8STN Julian, thank you for your response it was very helpful. Thank you for you time and I hope to work you some day on the bands. De KD8QWH. Happy Easter!!

[@pacorrodelgadillo8429]

Very FB demonstration Tnx and 73 Luis XE2B

[@M0IAX]

It worked really well, I was very happy with the results given my low power weak signal I hope to hear more operators using APRS and MFSK4. Thanks for another great video Julian. QRP can be hard work and frustrating at times, but when you have the right tools at hand it can be very rewarding. DE Mark, M0IAX.

[@AntonioBarba_TheKaneB]

Hi, which antenna did you use? 73 de IU2KIY

[@M0IAX]

It was a vertical wire, about 7m long. Icom AH4 tuner.

[@magwhyte]

Outstanding demonstration. Personally, I prefer the long form videos. I get to see how the exchanges work. Thank you.

[@JohnnyG193]

Wow... never thought about messaging over HF (to this degree at least)... you explain it with amazing clarity and demonstrate how it actually is possible. You’re right.... it can be done... you just proved about half the hams out there wrong. You might think about teaching professionally- Very good video. 👍👍👍

[@LancasterWannaBe]

Just watched this video twice. Long videos aren't a bad thing when there's this kind of detail in them. You made an awesome product here. Really cannot wait to start HF ops in the coming weeks. Your videos help make and keep this exciting, and help me as a new ham know what's out there.

[@RandallSteen]

That was awesome. That is exactly what I am after. A simple messenger to say “I’m alive” or “Katie, bar the door” over a small QRP rig.

[@DanielWiley]

That's KEWL! I have to try that. Great Job as usual Julian.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for the consistently awesome comments. I was concerned this video would be too long, or too abstract. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@Andy-M938]

I´m back in 30m APRS here in Germany! Still good Traffic there, so i support this way via APRS as well now.

[@mdouble100]

Excellent video and points well made. Group comms are very important at all times, but especially in a grid down scenario.

[@ruckpilot2184]

👍On the long form video. It really gives one a realtime sense of how it would operate in the field.

[@JohnTarbox]

Another great video Julian. I am working to generate additional interest in this new mode here in the State of Maine, USA.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks John. The most important point here is APRS over HF, fills in the gaps which are impossible with aprs on VHF.

[@EricDBrownYT]

Very nice, thanks for introducing me to something new. Great job. Idea for the next video - the setup you used for the TNC/GPS/etc would be awesome.

[@dongibbskk4qam]

Nice job Julian. I will definitely have to look into this.

[@robertchambers5821]

Nothing boring about this video, I'm planning a trip to the Philippines in the next 6 - 7 months and anticipate taking HF gear with me. This would be great to demonstrate while there. Thanks. 8P6RC

[@OH8STN]

Thanks I was worried about the abstract nature of the video. Operators aren't so interested in utility modes anymore, but I still felt the information should get out there. Thanks for the kindness. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@4X4-RADIO]

Really good video, Not to long at all considering subject matter. Shows some really interesting features and opportunities, especially for EMComm I really hope you do some follow-up: 1. Software Install & Setup 2. Dependencies, I notice UZ7HO SoundModem and othere screen setup items. 3. Initiation Phase.?, Timings/Bands/Frequencies etc Keep up the good work

[@TheMountainRN]

So was looking so much to get on that and then... my old radio doesn’t have 30m lol great video as always

[@OH8STN]

Seriously? :( We need to get you a more modern radio. Thanks for watching old buddy

[@TheMountainRN]

OH8STN yeah in the next year or so

[@calenelson9885]

Got me wanting to give this one a shot! thanks K4CDN

[@OH8STN]

Please do! We should be especially excited about this mode from a group communications perspective. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@kp4ia]

Hello Julian, greetings & 73s Tony-KP4IA

[@timb4655]

Another excellent video Julian, thank you. Something else to add to my increasing list of modes to try. Not sure i can keep up ! &£ Tim M6IEH

[@davidmckay5788]

how are u getting to HF with this ..... what freq does it use on HF?? can the system be set for whatever band the user wants???? if so how does anyone on the other end know where to pick up the signal?????

[@csullivan5230]

Do you have a breakdown video of this process? You are an absolute rock star in teaching and I love aprs on the vhf modes. It is a GREAT resource.

[@OH8STN]

Working on a better, easier to use solution for APRS. it'll take a month or so but stay tuned. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@csullivan5230]

@@OH8STN that is great news. I can't wait. Id like to buy an ftm 200 just for aprs but am rethinking it. I may go with the tx500.

[@hamtechoutdoor]

Hi Julian , great video as usual. A quick question , what is the rationale behind choosing MFSK4 vs. other Transmit modes ?

[@californiakayaker]

I have done a very small amount of APRS messaging and believe, for areas where there are no "data's" available, that, true APRS is very important. BUT, one problem, how can you get APRS MESSAGING to notify you , into something like the android notification system, a email, or a text ? Something is needed, syncing if you will, would really push APRS messaging into another more important area.

[@dangermandave67]

Damn shame APRS Messenger isn't available now. I've set up a APRS 30m band igate at my home with a NVIS antenna. The idea is that when I'm in the field operating portable, I can take a QRP rig and use it to send packets that will be gated to APRS-IS by my home igate. That way, I can use things like the APRS2SOTA and SMS gateways. It's just unfortunate that there isn't software for Android devices that supports AX.25 300 baud packet mode. I note the Teensy TNC project, but I have a feeling that is going to take a long time to get off the ground.

[@californiakayaker]

Sounds a lot like JS8CALL which has really taken off. You can position report into APRS.FI now, you can send messages to APRS Stations so far with a Raspberry Pi platform. I'm sure other versions like my windows JS8CALL will do that soon. Much is happening, some detailed in my Digi Playlist , which features you and other Vloggers, all in one place.

[@Midwest-FieldOps]

Has JS8Call replaced this mode in your toolbox?

[@OH8STN]

Not replaced but augmented. There isn't enough traffic on aprs messenger, making training extremely difficult. It's also Windows only, which really limits the equipment used.

[@Midwest-FieldOps]

@@OH8STN good to know! I am planning on trying HF APRS out in a few weeks. G-ARIM and ARDOP might be tools you look into as well on a Pi/Linux platform. Check it out.

[@spldrong]

I find it most interesting when amateur radio KZbinrs purposely talk to another person(rather than whoever randomly hears them). Especially in field conditions...

[@OH8STN]

One purpose of amateur radio emergency communications is bring able to talk to your group. Casual Communications in amateur radio promote talking randomly to anyone who happens along. There's more than one camp. In fact sometimes talking to someone on purpose is far more difficult.

[@spldrong]

OH8STN i agree. Both are important. But you dont find many people who can talk to someone planned and purposely, especially from the field.