GPS tracking

[richster]

Today I was listening to our recently new motorola astro type II system, when I heard an EMS dispatcher ask one of his units if he was lost. Apparently they can see where thier units are, using GPS features built-in this new astro system. I was wondering if this GPS information is transmitted through the trunking stream, and if so is there or will there be a program to view this?

Regards,
Richster.

 

[SCPD]

I don't have any technical details on this but it's unlikely that the GPS coordinates would be re-broadcast back out to the mobiles. Unless this is an Astro 25 system (APCO P25), then the GPS data is *probably* passed over their mobile data network - CDPD, GPRS, or who-knows what.

In short, to get this data you would need to be signed on to their network.

-rick

 

[saskatoonscanner]

In Saskatoon, the GPS seems to be the joke of the day when they mention it. I'm not sure why but it doesn't seem to work that great, yet.

Cheers,
Jared

"anything is possible when you ignore the obvious"

 

[Leebug]

Maybe it's trianglation and not GPS?....Lee

 

[N_Jay]

Maybe it's trianglation and not GPS?....Lee

I doubt it.

I don't think anyone is use a trianglation on a land mobile system.

 

[PJH]

It can really be anything. If they use mobile data, most likley off of that. If they purchased the data option with the radio's...there ya go. Even Nextel can provide the service. There are

vendors and service providers that can support GPS operations.

 

[Trunkster2002]

All of this comes from Amateur radio technology. APRS (automatic position reporting system) Go to APRS.net and when the grey box loads up, click on the white box at the bottom and find your part of the country and zoom up and see you local hams with GPS tracking tech. It is alot of fun tracking your friends in vechicles and boats and even private airplanes.

 

[N_Jay]

All of this comes from Amateur radio technology. APRS (automatic position reporting system) . . .

I thought it all came from Motorola Loran based AVL system of the 1980's? :twisted:

Or was it the Pac-Tel's Teletrack? :twisted:

 

[INDY72]

Or was it from the GPS satellite system originally used by the world's military and maritime agencies, then adapted for civilian use?????

 

[PJH]

AVL type of stuff has been around since the 70's, it was just costly. Some PD's back in the 80's had it, but again, it became cost prohibited. When GPS became available, cost came down quite a bit. Now the money making game is the delievery (service) of the vehicle location information. APRS came about with GPS, not AVL in general.

 

[INDY72]

Wow I was actually right? Scary :twisted:

 

[Mozilla]

Tracking

Its depends on the configurations but, it is most likely not tied into the trunking system, just like most mobile data is not. It coul be a AVL system using a conventional channel with the appropriate hardware, or thru a data terminal ( the user would not even know it present) Someone correctly stated Motorola originally had is based on Loran and since then it has become GPS based. If you are at the other end, you can see in the dispatch centers on map the actual units right doen to the street.
APRS had very little to do with with type of technology, most of it dribbled down from the military and from other government projects.
Fire control data could be sent thru radios and include GPS data among other things, your talking about more advanced systems that appeared back in the 80's which was many years before APRS. And while the Ham market was the first to jump on it, now marine and and other commerial gear is offered that will provided data with a GPS link. In the Marine Service its already got a reserved channel and is beginning to be used more frequently

 

[INDY72]

Considering that current GPS equipment is very cheap, and is widely availabe as compared to the older Loran C, and other types. GPS tracking is being emplemented widely now in many DPS agencies. As to maritime use of GPS, this has been in use so long that its standard for most ocean going vessels... Also take note of the thread in the North Carolina discussions of the Government doing a GPS Disruption Test this month, which will affect GPS and Cellular usage along the NC Coast, and down to the Florida Coastline. Looks like they will have to go back to good old fashioned VHF. Now as to how this all ties in to trunking- Similar tests could be done in other areas and thus cause disruptions of the GPS systems involved with PS and Business Trunked systems, and regular commercial cellular services. Could make for interesting scenarios for drills.