[OZAPRS] HF APRS

[Matthew Cook]

Ray,

I've built a couple of APRS trackers for use in kayak's.

At the local Foodland (supermarket) I found some plastic food storage
containers "Systema" brand that are water tight and about the right size to
hold my tracker.  I soldered a RG174 SMA connector to a brass washer and
attached some ground radials.  This was simply mounted through the lid of
the box and hot melt glued into position.  One of the Comet dual band HT
antennas completed the setup.  The tracker was a repurposed HAB payload
which outputs 100mW.   The whole thing runs off a pair of AA batteries for
30 odd hours.  Can send pictures if youre interested.   So far the tracker
has done just over 400kms in various kayak marathons.   It makes it very
easy for ones "land crew" to track their paddlers progress.

I'm just in the process of doing the same thing again for my Trailer
Sailer.  I found a 2m marine antenna from the states at a reasonable cost.
Looks like a VHF156MHZ marine antenna just a little longer.   That will run
from the boat giving me telemetry (battery volts and position) while I'm
not there.  I'm using a slightly larger food storage container (1L) to give
the unit a bit more resilience to salt ingress etc.

YMMV

73's

Matthew
VK5ZM

On 26 February 2014 06:37, Ray Wells <vk2tv at exemail.com.au> wrote:

> Ian,
>
> What gear do you use for the kayak, how do you house it, keep it dry?
>  I've been thinking of APRS for the Hobie.
>
> Ray vk2tv
>
>
>
> On 25/02/14 22:43, Ian Bennett wrote:
>
>> Shaun,
>>         On the odd occasion that I do APRSDroid, I do use a different
>> SSID; only because it is "on me" and
>> not permanently in the car.
>>         For a similar reason, I use a different SSID for the tracker when
>> in the kayak or on foot; even
>> though it is the same physical unit (using different profiles).
>>         When deciding what SSID to use for a particular situation, I try
>> to think of how it will look to
>> those who are tracking me.
>>         Hope to gate some packets for you on your trip.
>>
>> Ian
>> VK1IAN
>>
>>
>>
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