Trainguy1997
Member
I was wondering what the best GPS receiver would be to use for aprs and if I needed anything else besides that and a cable to connect it to the radio. I have a Yaesu 8900R
73
73
GPS receiver for APRS
- Thread starter Trainguy1997
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You'll need a TNC or a dedicated APRS tracker.
The TNC could be something like a Kantronics KPC3 or KPC3+ (don't buy new as you can usually find used ones for less than $100).
The APRS tracker could be a TinyTrak4 from Byonics or an OT3m from Argent Data.
No matter which way you go, you'll need a GPS receiver that outputs NMEA0183 data over an RS-232 serial port. Both Byonics and Argent Data have suitable GPS receivers.
The TNC could be something like a Kantronics KPC3 or KPC3+ (don't buy new as you can usually find used ones for less than $100).
The APRS tracker could be a TinyTrak4 from Byonics or an OT3m from Argent Data.
No matter which way you go, you'll need a GPS receiver that outputs NMEA0183 data over an RS-232 serial port. Both Byonics and Argent Data have suitable GPS receivers.
Trainguy1997
Member
I was looking at a Garmin Nuvi 350,I wonder if that would crank out the NMEA0183 data....
Some of the Garmin nuvis can communicate with the outside world using what Garmin calls their Fleet Management Interface (FMI). Argent Data cracked the FMI code and the Argent Data Tracker2 and Tracker3 line can connect to a Garmin nuvi with FMI to get the lat/lon strings from the GPS receiver. The Garmin nuvi 350 is the best of the bunch, but they are pretty old these days so I'm not sure I'd spend a lot of money on one.
K5MPH
Member
You are going to need the fleet management cable for the Nuvi 350......
Trainguy1997
Member
I'm not great with technology, but other than the fleet management vs me what else do I need to set up aprs
Where can I get the cable also?
73
majoco
Stirrer
I have one of these for various uses and I did set it up for APRS a few years ago - works well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PGM-111-US...R-NR-NAVIGATION-COMPUTER-ANT-US-/291715470446
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PGM-111-US...R-NR-NAVIGATION-COMPUTER-ANT-US-/291715470446
GrumpyGuard
Member
Gps puc question
Martin,
How did you convert the PS2/USB to DB9? I was looking at some similar GPS receivers. Did you cut the end off the wire, and if so what is the wiring diagram? I don't want to have to spend more money for the PS2 to DB9 cable when the DB9 plug is a cheaper option.
Thanks,
Matt
Martin,
How did you convert the PS2/USB to DB9? I was looking at some similar GPS receivers. Did you cut the end off the wire, and if so what is the wiring diagram? I don't want to have to spend more money for the PS2 to DB9 cable when the DB9 plug is a cheaper option.
Thanks,
Matt
If I were you, I would get the Garmin Nuvi 350 and the Fleet Management Cable with the tracker from Argent Data. When I purchased my gear, they were on top of it and had everything right! Programming was easy and I had mine running within an hour. It has yet to fail me nearly 8 years later...
Regards,
-Frank C.
Regards,
-Frank C.
Another thought in a slightly different direction, If you are an Android user, you can go with the Mobilikd TNC2, and APRS droid on your phone or tablet. This will connect via Bluetooth to your Android device, and use it's built in GPS. The Mobilinkd offers ready made cables to connect to various mobile and handheld radios, If you prefer to save a few bucks and wire the cable yourself, they provide the pinout in the user manual which is available online.
This is a nice compact unit can be rubberbanded to the back of a Baofeng or connected to a mobile.
I just acquired a GM300 that I am going to connect mine to as a dedicated APRS radio in my suburban.
This is a nice compact unit can be rubberbanded to the back of a Baofeng or connected to a mobile.
I just acquired a GM300 that I am going to connect mine to as a dedicated APRS radio in my suburban.
majoco
Stirrer
Sorry for the delay. Go to this web page...
http://robotics.ee.uwa.edu.au/courses/hpes/labs/GPS/GPS-polstar.pdf
..and you'll see the PS2 plug info - but you dont need that. The EBay ad shows that it includes the converter to USB.
However you can do it yourself if you want to. It's not hard to cut the cable and get the power from a keyboard socket or a USB socket and send the feed into a DB9 connector - I can't remember the pins offhand but it's the standard receive and ground pins. You may need to download a driver called "PL2303". I can still use a very old laptop for the job - there is a very interesting programme called 'visual gps' which display all the information coming down in the NMEA data stream
http://robotics.ee.uwa.edu.au/courses/hpes/labs/GPS/GPS-polstar.pdf
..and you'll see the PS2 plug info - but you dont need that. The EBay ad shows that it includes the converter to USB.
However you can do it yourself if you want to. It's not hard to cut the cable and get the power from a keyboard socket or a USB socket and send the feed into a DB9 connector - I can't remember the pins offhand but it's the standard receive and ground pins. You may need to download a driver called "PL2303". I can still use a very old laptop for the job - there is a very interesting programme called 'visual gps' which display all the information coming down in the NMEA data stream
GrumpyGuard
Member
Thank you for the information.
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