REFLECTOR: APRS amateur radio tracking

[David Staten]

Milton Mersky wrote:
> Will radio tracking work in an auto?
>
> How much does it cost?
> Milt
>
>
>   
It will work on a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, bicycle, SAR dogs, or 
anything you can attach a power source, GPS puck, xmitter and TNC to.

HAM 2m (144 mhz) radios can be had at a "hamfest" used for $1-200 bucks. 
New for $2-400. Can buy online. Can buy equipment without a license. The 
majority of US domestic APRS use happens on 144.39.

The MS150 bike ride in Houston and Dallas both utilize APRS extensively 
for route management and asset tracking. Tour officials, supply 
vehicles, medics, motorcycle escorts, SAG vehicles.. All of em. The main 
limitations is the term (and code) for APRS is trademarked/held by one 
individual, who stipulates its only used for non-profit non-commercial 
purposes. The advantage of APRS on a Ham Net is that signal gets out and 
is propagated even when everything else fails.. cell, etc..

You can get into things with a cheap used handheld, a TNC, cable and GPS 
puck from Byonics (www.byonics.com  $100 bux approx) and an external 
(internal ok if glass plane) VHF air band or ham band antenna on the 
plane (vertical polarity)

Dave