For this you need a TNC, a terminal node controller, which is a gadget that you connect to your transceiver to exchange the APRS packets on VHF or UHF. So it is not a LORA setup, not is it a D-PRS D-star setup, but instead a AX.25 analog packet implementation for APRS on the 2m and the 70cm amateur bands.
The APRS tracker is a called BH4TDV APRS 51Track X1C3 which is something you can get from Aliexpress, it contains a GNSS receiver, a microprocessor etc and it runs on its own rechargable battery. There is a USB-C connector and a K cable that connects to a microphone “speaker ptt connector” plug that you find on the right of the Quansheng UV-K5 beneath the rubber flag. The setup is as follows:
Intended use: The tracker is something you put on your dashboard on your vehicle and the antenna of the Quansheng is connected to a whip antenna on the roof of your vehicle. The rubber duck antenna on the Quansheng is not very helpful for APRS, you need something better. Use the configuration program that you find on https://www.venus-itech.com/product/x1c3-aprs-tracker/ and read the manual on https://github.com/Mihara/x1c3tool/ to get everything to work. The only thing I had to do was enter my callsign and a suffix. Our local APRS is on 2m on 144.800 MHz, use the https://aprs.fi/ website to track yourself. Here is an example:
The fun of APRS is (for me) to spot long distances, DX paths across the radio horizon that are caused by tropospheric conditions. You don’t need to be very close to a APRS gateway, the Quansheng produces up to 5W. If it is a concern to you, turn off the digipeater option because it may conflict with your hamradio license.
Last update: 15-Jun-2024 9:35
PA1EJO 