APRS -- Have any of you built this in to a toughbook?

APRS [ Automatic Packet Reporting System ] link to the actual creators site:
http://aprs.org/

Has anyone built an APRS transciever (not just a transmitter) into their Toughbook? It would work really really well in conjunction with built in GPS.

Just a few of the problems I see being addressed with using GPS+APRS built into the Toughbook are:

1. Creation of ad-hoc local area networks for communication and tracking without relying on external infrastructure (like cell phone towers etc) - useful for traveling as a club/group offroad, tracking family members etc (this particular feature is very significantly used in Search and Rescue)
2. Communications in emergency situations where access to cellular infrastructure is not available (digital repeaters are connected to the internet, packet radio/APRS can also transmit via low orbit amateur radio satellite for free etc)
3. Live tracking of resources via digital repeaters connected to the internet (this is the lowjack concept)
4. Access to weather data without an internet connection (via APRS/packet radio).

The main point I guess is that APRS (even without GPS) allows communication over the radio waves without any sort of subscription type service at distances greater than the typical cell phone, and seems very fitting for the toughbook especially as a replacement for the built-in CDMA etc modems.



Here is some material from the creators website, please read there for more info.
--------------------------------
You may also ask the question "why would I want to" if you are unfamiliar with APRS? Here are some of the capabilities of APRS:

OVERVIEW: The Automatic Packet Reporting System was designed to support rapid, reliable exchange of information for local, tactical real-time information, events or nets. The concept, which dates back to the mid 1980's, is that all relevant information is transmitted immediately to everyone in the net and every station captures that information for consistent and standard display to all participants.

APRS established standard formats not only for the transmission of POSITION, STATUS, MESSAGES, and QUERIES, it also establishes guidelines for display so that users of different systems will still see the same consistent information displayed in a consistent manner (independent of the particular display or maping system in use).

APRS is not a vehicle tracking system. It is a two-way tactical real-time digital communications system between all assets in a network sharing information about everything going on in the local area. On ham radio, this means if something is happening now, or there is information that could be valuable to you, then it should show up on your APRS radio in your mobile. APRS also supports global callsign-to-callsign messaging, bulletins, objects email and Voice because every local area is seen by the Internet System (APRS-IS)! APRS should enable local and global amateur radio operator contact at anytime-anywhere and using any device.

 

We have a few Hams on here that might chime in....

 

Well, I found a couple of potential options:

Byonics MT-TT4 transciever
http://www.byonics.com/microtrak/mt-tt4.php

and

Argent 5-Watt VHF Transceiver with Integrated Tracker2
https://www.argentdata.com/catalog/...ucts_id=112&osCsid=c6tm7bon0h9322hb1jsladd3s5

Both are kind of pricey, and I really don't know if they would actually work for what I am trying to do, I still have some outstanding questions about them, and am continuing the research.

 

looks interesting!
please keep us informed!
LA1RMA.

 

While I normally like the idea of putting everything inside the Toughbook's Magnesium case, a 5 watt transmitter is where I draw the line. I think that I would prefer to have a second case that mounted to my Toughbook for that with the transceiver and perhaps a Packet TNC...

 

take a look at:

http://www.hke.no/APRS Tracker.html

It has the following features:
TRACKER:

* 160x100x35mm size
* weight 650g
* 7W VHF or UHF radio
* 2200mAh 7.2V Li-Ion battery ( 40 mA standby, 2 Amps on TX, it takes approx 1-2 seconds to transmit a package)
* the battery lasts more than 30 hours
* Automatic battery charger, accepts 10-15VDC. It has all the charging electronics built in
* GPS with low power usage
* GPS antenna ( it can be delivered with a connector for a external antenna )
* SMA connector for radio antenna
* Mini USB B port (waterproof)
* 3 status leds ( charging,status, gps )
* IP64. withstands bad weather
* can be used as a digipeater
* the switches needs to be pulled out to be toggled, that way it is safe to put in a backpack, no accidental toggling of the switches


GUI

* Tracker (firmware) update
* frequency settings
* automatic configuration of network for emergency communications
* APRS parameters
* Monitor function, shows APRS traffic and ID/callsigns
* shows GPS info.

 

That is pretty interesting, I wonder what radio modules they are using in it? I wonder if they are easily interchangeable?

 

HEY! Quit talking about Azrial that way! He might READ THIS!

 

Well, I spoke with the folks at Argent, they deal a lot with SAR and PD's and have a lot of experience integrating APRS and commercial radio with toughbook products. They have a few Toughbooks on hand and will give a shot at integrating the T2-301 into a CF-28 with appropriate shielding to see if its fairly straight forward to integrate to a internal serial connection and able to access the internal GPS without frying the unit

https://www.argentdata.com/catalog/...ucts_id=112&osCsid=c6tm7bon0h9322hb1jsladd3s5

The other option may be a lower wattage unit like the one at byonics but then you start to lose range. Finally, another possibility would be external access to a unit, in that case, a used HT would likely be a getter idea -- as log as it has a built in TNC.

 

As a side note, I can't believe that would do many wonders for keeping battery life high, however I suspect that adding the GPS would also decrease battery life when in use as well. Can anyone comment on the added burden that GPS+active patch antenna imposes on the toughbook?

 

I notice that the unit can be used as a TNC as well!

The possibility of running a APRS and a TNC form the same unit is nice, and appealing

I don't think that 5W of RF power is actually needed, as long a good antenna is provided via a external connector.
The output power can be adjusted from the software side.

perhaps it is possible to install dual batteries:
a battery for the APRS/TNC unit, and one for the toughbook,
or both batteries powering the toughbook, and the APRS/TNC unit ?

 

Lardy, Lardy, my feelings might be hurt if I was not an insensitive boar!

 

Any updates on this ?
Will it fit in to a CF-29 ?

 

I can nit see where, the biggest continuous area is the area under the battery, and this unit looks bigger then that, plus that is where most folks put their GPS.

Plus, as I said, I do not want all that RF in my PC. That seems to be a recipe for problems of all kinds.

 

Proper shielding, and limiting the power to 1-2 W will help a lot.

 

Sure, unless it rides in on the common power connectors... Of course there are ways to decouple the RF with a balun, but, why? My data is too important to me to risk all that!

I like the idea of the case of my CF-29 being my shield to keep the RF on the outside. But, each to his own!

 

i mailed argent and asked :
Do you know if it is possible to integrate the T2-301 into a panasonic toughbook CF-29 with appropriate shielding?
Is it fairly straight forward to integrate it to a internal serial connection and is it able to access the internal GPS of a CF-29 without frying the unit?

reply:
I've never worked with the CF-29 before. I think the first concern would be power - the T2-301 needs 9 to 15 volts at about 1.2 amps peak during transmit. I doubt a GPS connection is set up to supply that sort of power.

 

Well, very likely it would be possible to squeeze some unit into the toughbook, but not really sure if the gain (no pun intended) would be worth it. I guess it makes more sense to keep some items external to the toughbook. So maybe going with a handheld which incorporates a tnc would be the best in this case.

Has anyone paying attention to this thread used the built in GPS with an external radio for APRS? Have you gotten the internal GPS to talk with the TNC in a handheld?

 

I can't see there being enough room to squeeze everything in, unless you put the RF package into the Media Bay. Battery life will totally suck, too.

I'm incorporating an APRS/packet setup into a docking station setup right now. When I get it finished, I'll post pictures of everything.

 

i think that the battery life issue is related to the output power settings.

 

Your primary issue is not really the transmitter... Your issue is going to be the receiver.

I don't know how much I'd be willing to blast a 5 watt signal out the case of the machine, I could see that causing some serious issues with regards to the laptop itself. This would be best left to a HT. (Handy Talkie, for the non ham's, a small hand held radio, with it's own battery, and antenna)

The HT could also do your receive, While it's not a perfect integrated solution, blasting 1-2 watts, probably won't work well inside the magnesium case (performance issues with signal penetration to outside world), yet, 5 watts would probably wreak havoc on the PC. On the plus side having a HT next to the laptop probably wouldn't be to big of a problem since the laptop is shielded somewhat.

Your first point about needing to use a ad-hoc wifi network is not needed. When you use APRS, so long as you listen to a certain freq, you can get the info from the radio waves. So traditional wifi isn't needed for APRS.

If you really wanted to be more integrated, loose the cable connecting the PC to the HT. Instead put ONLY A receiver inside the PC, (If you find any small receivers that fit this bill, let me know!) and use a TinyTrack, or something equivalent with a dedicated HT, or a all in one solution, like some of those offered by Byonics.

Battery draw really won't be much of a issue, since it would be a draw for only a few moments (long enough to send the packet, 2-3 seconds), and the amount of time between packets can be changed.

For those of your not familiar with APRS:
Automatic Packet Reporting System - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Food for thought for OP:
Byonics -
https://www.argentdata.com/catalog/

Knight.