APRS Automatic Packet Reporting System

[David]

I recently received my FCC license and purchased an APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System GPS technology). This weekend I finished the installation, configuration and testing of the Micro-Trak APRS.


http://www.byonics.com/mt-rtg
.

There are a few sites and apple apps for tracking an aprs signal. My short 30 minute flight for testing.


I really wasn't going to get one until I got a call from a frantic friends wife that the government called and left a voicemail that, said his ELT had gone off and wanted her to call them ASAP. She knew he was still in the air on a cross country and assumed the worse. I contact the number they left for SAR. The the officer on duty indicated we think he is in the air but can’t tell. (The interesting thing they don’t communicate with ATC). So I pulled up his N-number on the APRS site and could see he was at 5500 feet with a ground speed of 150 kts and could see it was updating movement every minute. After sharing the website with her and she could verify what I concluded. The I call the wife and said false alarm since the ELT had trigged in mid flight.

So my head of operations wanted me to get one also, so I complied

[Daidalos]

When you mention FCC license you failed to note an Amateur Radio License. Congratulations Dave. I will look for you on the air.

The test is easy and should be able to be passed by any pilot with a little study. Just noting your omission.

[David]

When you mention FCC license you failed to note an Amateur Radio License. Congratulations Dave. I will look for you on the air.

The test is easy and should be able to be passed by any pilot with a little study. Just noting your omission.

Your correct just study, I purchased one of the iPhone apps and just pounded through the test questions until they were memorized. Marcus I forgot you have the real FCC license and did it for a living.

[theoarno]

For those that don't know, there are multiple levels of HAM radio License. The most basic and first on the list is the Technician License. That should give the operator the proper privileges to operate APRS among other modes. Here is a link.
http://www.arrl.org/ham-radio-licenses

THEO

[drseti]

For those not aware, many of the pilots on these boards happen also to be ham radio operators. I started a thread last year for those so afflicted to share callsigns. See:

http://sportpilottalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3013