APRS packet transmitted when mobile spotting...

[djeplett]

Hello all spotters,

Relative noob to APRS here. I have a TinyTrak 4 and it has the ability to change setups on the fly via a switch input. So you can have it transmit your packet one way and by the flip of a switch have it transmit a totally different packet. My plan is to set up one way for normal everyday driving around and have another setup for when I am mobile spotting.

I'm wondering what is the smartest setup for when you are spotting? I have read that you can have your packet have an alternate destination of SKY with up to six additional characters after that. The TT4 allows you to send to an altnet so I was wondering if that is a good thing to do to help out net control stations. It seems like not all PC software can filter packets by network, so is this even worth doing? I have tried UI-View, AGWTracker and APRSISCE. I can't tell if UI-View or AGWTracker can filter. I can see in APRSISCE that there is an option for "Skywarn" under the View pulldown menu. I'm guessing this filters only those altnets that start with SKY.

Anybody have any thoughts?

 

[canav844]

Here's one of the views commonly used in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County ARES/RACES - Local Communications Structure It's more graphical, I know Sheboygan has sent out text messages to all county APRS stations during SET drills. I'd talk with some of your local county ARES folks and see to what extent they're implementing it, I know some groups use it heavily and others let it slide; focus on the best solution for the counties you'll regularly spot in.

 

[daveoster]

Spotter Network

Google Spotter Network.

 

[djeplett]

Google Spotter Network.

I must be missing something here because I don't see on that website where it talks about APRS anywhere.

 

[burner50]

I must be missing something here because I don't see on that website where it talks about APRS anywhere.

If you're a member there, you can have your location tracked via APRS and displayed with all the other spotternetwork users.