[OZAPRS] Ozaprs Digest, Vol 11, Issue 14

[Norm, VK2XCI]

Robert Bruninga wrote:
>>>> "Tony Hunt" <wavetel at bigpond.com> 07/12/06 8:21 PM >>>
>> The more gateways there are on one frequency the greater the chance
>> of getting a posit through.. At the present time its not exactly rush
hour
>> on 30m with Trackers..
> 
> Up until 1997 when the APRSinternet came about, my hope was
> that someone would simply create an HF tracker about half the
> size of a brick.  It could run 150W, cost  under $50 to build and
> replace the need for a $1500 HF rig for this simple task.

Interesting concept Bob, which shows there's nothing new under the sun! 
I'm currently working on a 2m version exactly as you describe!

> 
> Being one freq only, and using current MOSFET designs, only
> about 5 transistors were needed.  No heat sink was needed
> either, since the duty cycle of an HF tracker (one pkt every
> 10 minutes) is less than 0.2%.  Just stick it under the seat
> and go.  The only design challenge was freq stability.

Frequency stability of course is not an issue with FM, however for HF 
perhaps a TCXO based on a commercial "Mini Circuit" ?


> 
> But in the USA, once the APRS-IS came about, it really was not
> needed.  But in the outback, it will be the only way.  But then
> how many people are traveling out there...  Unfortunately, not
> enough to justify a mass produced dedicated HF tracker, I fear.
> 
> ANd besides, they would want to have HF along anyway, so
> they may as well use a regular HF rig.
> 
> Of course, a plug-n-play HF box would be great on boats too.
> 
> Anyway, just some history...
> Bob
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Ozaprs mailing list
> Ozaprs at aprs.net.au
> http://aprs.net.au/mailman/listinfo/ozaprs
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Norm, VK2XCI,
Mildura, The Wintersun City
QF15bt

Victoria, Australia.


-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.10/387 - Release Date: 12/07/2006

_______________________________________________
Ozaprs mailing list
Ozaprs at aprs.net.au
http://aprs.net.au/mailman/listinfo/ozaprs
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://second.aprs.net.au/pipermail/ozaprs/attachments/20060714/cc04e592/attachment.htm