Real-time APRS maps with a Kenwood TM-D710-G and an Android tablet

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

This has been a highly requested video and it's finally here! Thank you all for your patience! As always, leave a comment if you have any trouble or questions setting this up.

[@JeffHochberg]

Dude - that is AWESOME! I had no idea about BackCountry Navigator. If you’re tempted to make more APRS videos, do it! LOL The only thing I would suggest is to spend a bit more time tagging your KZbin content and how you name the titles to make it easier to find your videos. I’ve been searching for Kenwood related APRS content for a while and didn’t find your video until I found a link in a Kenwood APRS forum on Groups.io someone shared.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Thank you for the feedback, I will rework the naming and tags right now, thank you for the suggestion!

[@WalterFrancis]

Wow had no idea it would be that easy with the right cable, thank you!

[@petbytes7167]

I've had my D710G, cable, and tablet for years and never set it up for live APRS tracking. Pretty cool! Thanks for posting this video. de K6TQ

[@ReichenbachEsq]

This is a VERY helpful video, Brian. I have the same radio & im gonna try to use my Kindle Fire HD as the tablet.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fetch872]

Thanks been waiting for this video 73

[@californiakayaker]

That was excellent. Sometimes I get stuck with my new d710ga as its still a little new and I forget how to get to menu, let alone thing like 5:56 getting the tablet/laptop and 710 talking. Somehow my set up changed and all the setting changed in that area. I had a uBlox7 working and I'm not sure it still is (probably still is because its a function of a laptop port) , but in addition, the 710 stopped talking to the Laptop. 604 had somehow changed to off ? Not sure how but that fixed it. I do like some of the things SarTrack does, but, I think APRSDROID would be better for mobile operation. I think it has much better mapping, and I go into areas where there is no cell coverage and would like to Caches the mapping. SarTrack has some cool stuff, the debug function shows a sort of RAW format, which can be handy and illuminating. Question, does APRSDROID do have the smart beacon system ?

[@thomasbergeson9353]

Thank you for the video! I was able to get this setup on a pixel 3XL running android 11 and populate offline maps into APRSdroid (do not have backcountry navigator). I will plug it into my Kenwood next time I am in the truck and see if it works as intended.

[@robertchambers5821]

Thank you Brain for the great video! What does Log Book of the World do when entered into APRSDroid? I don't live in the US nor am I a US citizen. I'm a licenced Amateur Radio Operator in Barbados (8P6RC) and need full usage of this program. ie. aprs messaging and off internet usage. I'm looking forward to your video about connecting via Bluetooth. Sincerely, Robert Chambers 8P6RC

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

the LoTW certificate is just the way to validate that the user actually has a call sign. Since the app can actually trigger a radio to transmit in some setups, they have to verify call signs so that not just anybody can accidentally start transmitting without a license. As far as i know, there's no other purpose for that step in APRSDroid

[@robertchambers5821]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram Hello Brien: I agree, even if digi-peting is considered triggering another radio. Am I eligible to register with Logbook of the World?

[@Boncked]

@@robertchambers5821 I believe you are as LOTW isn't just an American thing.

[@Retinens704]

I found myself this weekend wondering if I could connect my 710ga to my tablet. This is crazy that you just made this video! Keep them coming. You are teaching me tons about my radio. Like adding my overland bound member number! How did you extend the cable to the jack for your mic?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Check out this video i made last year where I go over extending and routing all the cables for my radio. I used the Kenwood PG-5F extension cable kit and a few other bits and bobs to connect them together through the dash: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5S7oGiiqJaCf80

[@ParanormalBiker]

Great vid sir. I have the same radio and cable. Have tried this on 3 different devices and can not get it to work. All setting as you instructed.

[@nl13286]

Nice video! Using aprsdroid you can use any transceiver doing this with an audio cable and setting the transceiver to vox. The app decode and encodes the aprs packages.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Thanks for this intro. I need to find out if the droid app also has maps which cover the UK. I'm hoping it's worldwide map coverage. I need to do some research.

[@turtlealberigi]

Thank you for the video. I am planning on doing something similar to this and the video was very helpful. I was wondering if the radio will send out packets while the other band is selected? Basically can you communicate on the B band while APRS is running and tracking your position on the A band?

[@259Den3]

With the setup you show in your video, is it possible to use the text message function of APRSDroid; e.g., type a message with the tablet and send it to another station. Thanks.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Great question, and unfortunately there is no way to support sending a text through the radio via APRSDroid. APRSDroid calls this out on their info page about the Kenwood, but they don't give details as to why specifically this is not an option. Would be awesome if so, it's so much easier to type on a tablet than on the mic's keypad, lol aprsdroid.org/kenwood/

[@259Den3]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram Thanks for getting that link and info; I really like your setup but knowing about this limitation I may stick with my Baofeng.

[@USAFJUNKIE]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram if you used the audio out jack and connected it to a mobilinkd TNC2 or 3, you could use bluetooth and have the two way messaging. I use that set up with my HTs. I'm considering also using it with my FTM-100, because I want to use the space station digipeater to send texts from the middle of nowhere.

[@JeepinSoAZ]

Thank you for uploading this guide. I suspected this capability existed but couldn't find any other resource that confirmed it and I didn't want to order a bunch of cables to try to figure it out. With backcountry Navigator's APRSdroid beta, do I need APRSdroid installed also or does BCN do it all independently?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

You will also need APRSDroid installed for the BCN integration. Thanks for watching!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Thanks for making this video. Please can you tell me if I can set my TM-710E (the European version before the 710G) to work with an Android tablet?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Yes, I believe everything is the same, the only difference for the "E" model is that it is locked to European ham bands instead of US bands

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

[@KD4QNA]

Do you have any videos on how to connect and setup the D710G to beacon weather data from a Davis Weather station using APRS on 144.390 on Band A while using Band B for Echolink in sysop mode?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

I do not... Yet! But I hope to have a weather station at some point in the future so whenever that happens I'll definitely make a video about it

[@mikehayes7821]

Thanks for the video! I was looking into using the avmap gps before they discontinued it. I was just wondering if you are using just the battery on the tablet or do you use an OTG that will also charge the tablet?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Right now it's just the battery on the tablet. this is one of the reasons i hope to integrate a bluetooth adapter into the head unit at some point in the near future. That way i can have the tablet charging via USB while connected to APRS. Other option is to buy a new tablet with wireless charging, but that's not the cheapest option, hah!

[@robertchambers5821]

Hello Brian: If you see in screen 602 on the TM-D710G there's a setting "Input ON/Off" if it's set to ON will the unit allow two way messaging between APRS units using APRSDroid? Thanks, Robert (Bob) Chambers 8P6RC

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Good question, I cover that screen in my detailed Kenwood APRS setup video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIjUiWljobN8mpY but the short answer is that setting determines whether the GPS port will be receiving GPS input from an external source. By default the D710G uses it's own built-in GPS receiver, but older versions of this radio (D710/D700) did not have built in GPS and had to read GPS data from this port instead

[@jayz0302]

good day Brien, just got my Gozens BT-232B-E Bluetooth RS-232 Adapter and have a (for now) question. the default baud rate is 19200bps can I change that on the D710G or do I need to dive into the adapter and change it there? thanks!

[@jayz0302]

Ha I figured it out now working on bluetooth!!

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Awesome! Did you end up just changing the baud rate on the radio?

[@applejacks971]

I have the Yaesu 400xdr on its way and no tablet. Some say I need a windows tablet, some say android...what difference does it make? Will an Amazon Fire HD work? No one seems to know, any ideas?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

I have not set up any of this on the 400XDR, but if i recall, you can connect any device to it. One bonus with your setup is that i think the 400XDR has bluetooth built in, so you will be able to use bluetooth to connect it to your tablet instead of using a cable. As for whether Amazon Fire HD will work: Yes, it will work, I have used on with my radio in the past. I may have had to side-load the google play store on my Fire tablet in order to get APRSDroid, it's been a few years so i don't recall exactly, but yeah, it's possible.

[@applejacks971]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram Thanks so much, great channel!

[@thuff3207]

Thank you for mentioning the Logbook of the world I did not and it too a while to get my access. I was able to do the same with basically the same setting with a FTM-400. You can see all the same inflation. Note you cannot send messages from APRSDroid with the FTM-400.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Great to hear this was useful for the FTM-400 setup as well, thank you for watching!

[@USAFJUNKIE]

If you use the audio out jack for an external speaker and plug it into a mobilinkd TNC2 or 3, you'll be able to do so.

[@thuff3207]

I wonder if you can plug in a bluetooth module and use the bluetooth capability of the tablet. This was a good video to help and thank you.

[@FITFO]

Ive been looking at both and wondering what made you go with this radio over the yeasu FTM-300/400

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Great question, and I get asked this quite a bit. First off, the Yaesu FTM-400XDR and the Kenwood TM-D710G are both fantastic radios, a lot of the choice will just come down to personal interface and aesthetic preference. For me, the controls of the Kenwood are much better for my need to be able to operate while driving in rough trail conditions - this means that the tactile controls were critical. I've used the Yaesu as well, but using the touchscreen while off-road is not nearly as easy and you have to actually *look* at the screen to see what you are touching. I can control my Kenwood by feel alone if i need to. The Yaesu also has some of the commonly used functions hidden under a layer or two of touch menus, while the Kenwood has tactile controls/buttons for all of those common functions. Lastly, for me, full support of the APRS spec and a built-in TNC were a requirement for me, and while Yaesu covers a majority of the APRS spec, they don't support it all, and the TNC in the Yausu is not available for external use. I can literally hook up my laptop/tablet/phone to my Kenwood and use it as a packet radio modem. One plus that the Yaesu has on the other hand is Bluetooth support, i really wish my Kenwood had that!

[@USAFJUNKIE]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram the Bluetooth in the Yaesu is barely worth mentioning from what I hear... Supposedly it's only compatible with their specific headsets.

[@natehall7080]

I have a Kenwood TM-D700 which does not have the built in GPS. Can APRSdroid use the tablet GPS and connect it with the radio? Can that be done through the data port, or will I need to use it through the GPS port.

[@NATEINATOR-sj6fs]

Hi there,, I'm trying to get a set up just for the tracking aspect of it not to talk or anything. Do you have any recommendations that work well that I'd be able to hook up to my computer in the car.

[@joe9824]

The usb-k5g you have shows is coming out flat to the end of the unit. Mine goes straight in from the back and it doesn't fit. Not sure what's going on.

[@jayz0302]

Yes! Is there any reason you used that adaptor to the tablet instead of going with a bluetooth adapter other then cost?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Great question! I was originally going to address this in the video, but it was already getting lengthy, so it was lost to the editing room floor. I plan on switching over to bluetooth in the future, but i currently use my USB cable since i already have it for use when programming my radio. There are ways to use a RS232 Bluetooth adapter, but they are, believe it or not, even clunkier than my current setup of having a huge USB dongle sticking out like 3 inches from my tablet. My plan in the future is to take a bluetooth RS232 PCB and then integrate it directly into my head unit, either by directly soldering or by making a nice small plug-n-play package. I'll definitely be making a video about that process when i do it.

[@Coyotes_Locos]

Now, if GAIA GPS would only interface to this - would be great for us off-roading HAMs to visually know where we all are on the trails.

[@RonaldCollins]

With the THD-74A, you can hook up to aprsdroid thru Bluetooth.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

I hope to get my hands on one of those HTs in the future. They're so awesome!

[@Nobody_inportant]

Why do you prefer the Kenwood over the Yaesu ? Say the FTM 400 XDR/DE

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

I hear you can turn this TM D-700 into a mobile repeater. I'm looking for something to use in my Jeep for when I go hiking with my baofeng and my Jeep buddies. I'm looking at an IC2730a but I'm looking for someone to guide me. I'm a newbie.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Yes, that is true! I need to put together a video about this, as it can be incredibly useful especially when hiking. Take a handheld on your hike, use the D-700 as a repeater to get out to much farther distances in case of an emergency!

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram yes please

[@HawsNet]

I do this all the time with my Kenwood as a cross band repeater. You can also remote control the TMD710 with any radio. Though it’s easier with a kenwood HT..

[@DavidMitchell79]

@@HawsNet Jeff, I believe Kenwood no longer supports remote control of the D710GA due to "unavailability of the necessary chip" after a certain serial number prefixed by "B". Mine has a "C" prefix and the remote control menus are no longer there.

[@bubbaedc]

Great video, hello from tucson also! I'm doing research trying to decide between the d710g or the yeasu 400xdr, still on the fence. EDIT: I fat fingered the 719 should be 710 lol

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

i've used the both and prefer the D710G by a long shot. Kenwood has the only radios that fully adhere to the APRS spec and i really prefer having tactile buttons vs the touchscreen of the 400XDR. All of the very commonly used controls/settings are available with one button press or knob twist on the Kenwood, which is not the same for the Yaesu. On the 400XDR many commonly used controls are hidden under many layers of touch screen menus which drove me absolutely nuts. You'll be happy with either radio, as they are both very capable, but in my opinion, the additional cost of the TM-D710G is absolutely worth it.

[@thuff3207]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram I have the FTM-400DX and it works with a bluetooth module to APRSDROID. What it does not do is bidirectional data like the D710 can do. What that means you cannot send messages from APRDROID with the the FTM-400.

[@Mil-SpecWatches]

Nice! are you interested in selling the Kenwood TM-D710-G?

[@applejacks971]

So, the 'hot spot' supplies internet as long is its connected to the phone...then what's the point of the hot spot, why not just use the phone?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

Great question, and I realize now I could have given more context about that. The hotspot is a standalone cellphone hotspot, like a "MiFi" device. It's not actually connected to any of our phones. It has its own connection to nearby cell towers. We have one in the jeep so that there is WiFi available for any non cell enabled devices (like this tablet and the kids' tablets).

[@applejacks971]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram Thanks for the reply. I've researched hours and hours of vid's and no one really explains that part. I wasn't meaning to be critical. If the hotspot has its own connectivity to towers, how is there not a fee from the tower owner/provider? No data plan involved? I'm in the mindset that hotspots are like phones and need data plans. That may be what's got me stumped on how these work. Repeaters are free, but my phone still has a monthly calling plan that allows me to use other carriers towers when out and about. Thanks for the info, great channel!

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

yeah, the "hotspot" is essentially a cell phone that doesn't actually make calls. all it does is provide local wifi via the cell tower connection. we pay a monthly data-only cell phone plan for it as if it was an actual phone

[@applejacks971]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram Interesting. Does than mean every hotspot requires its own data plan if its not running through the phones system? No one in my area or ham club utilizes hotspots, and few stations are digital, we're kinda backwoods yet. Thus, youtube is about my only avenue for research :(

[@USAFJUNKIE]

@@applejacks971 I think you're getting two different things confused here. Cellular hotspots are used for internet connectivity, like he mentioned in the video. A ham radio hotspot (should be called something else to avoid confusion) is a radio with the ability to gateway into the internet, provided it has an internet connection from something. The internet connection could come from a cellular hotspot, WiFi, or a LAN cable. They really should be called something else...I was confused for a while too.

[@harrybolognese1408]

How do you connect the radio to the ram arm?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

I designed a mounting plate that can be used to attach a ram mount ball to the back of the radio using the existing four mounting holes on the radio.

[@tedjackson5272]

For the life of me I can't get my Davis weather station to communicate APRS thought my Kenwood D-710. Can you make a video for Me?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

I don't currently have a weather station, but i DO plan on getting one at some point. When i do, i'll definitely do a video on how to get it talking to the radio!

[@va7dgp]

I don't use LOTW. I use a Bluetooth TNC and or a soundcard. I turn off the TNC in my radio. I point my android to Bluetooth. You are transmitting on 144.390. I already had a passcode for APRS. My APRSdroid with just entering my callsign.

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

yes! bluetooth TNC is another awesome option. I have one of those Mobilinkd TNC devices and it's really nice to use. I've been using it along with another basic HT for an "inexpensive" APRS beacon

[@va7dgp]

@@SonoranSpaceProgram I'm working or attempting to set a DRA 36 Sound card to work with a Raspberry PI. I have the DRA 36 working through my V 71. I plan on using KM4ACK Build A Pi using APRS through my Kenwood D 710. I just need to see if Deirwolf can PTT. 73 va7dgp

[@ncvvet]

Great vid! I looked at your Amazon page for the holders-could you add them? Is the tablet 10"? 73

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

The tablet is an 8" Samsung Galaxy Tab A, mounted on a RAM X-Grip ball mount holder. I don't recommend that particular mount, as it has too much play especially off-road, so the tablet always ends up sitting kinda cock-eyed. The radio is on a custom quick-release bracket that i made myself by sacrificing a Kenwood desktop stand and then cobbling it together with a RAM 1" ball diamond mount. I'm currently experimenting with other radio mount designs that will be easier for me to fabricate and provide for purchase

[@Kingofthedadjokes702]

Can I send APRS text messages via APRSdroid?

[@sklise1]

I dont have an android table.. is there one that works with this app?

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

In this video i'm using a 8" Samsung Galaxy Tab A, they can pretty regularly be found for about $150 new

[@niklantz]

U don't need to verify via the whole logbook of the world process or in-app aprsdroid verification. U can google "aprs passcode generator", use one of the websites to enter your callsign and instantly get your passcode. The whole process is like 10 seconds..

[@andrewmcgaha9629]

Thanks!

[@SonoranSpaceProgram]

You are welcome!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

terrific Brien73 kb2uew

[@garyzimmerman8679]

Wish we had something for apple ipads

[@Krisaltis]

Can you send the data received to aprs.fi with this? Thanks in advance