rcarsey
Well Known Member
I just installed a Yaesu FTM-300DR (vhf/uhf, built-in APRS, xband repeat, wires-x, FM/Fusion capable.. to give you a list of the notable capabilities)...
So the initial intention was to have a VHF/UHF radio just to ragchew while on longer flights.. and of course, shoot some fish in a barrel when it comes to making Field Day contacts.. APRS is a total side-benefit..
So now that we're in 2022, where there are a ton of ADS-B receivers scattered everywhere, thanks to FlightAware, FlightRadar24, ADSBExchange, and some others.. what are the benefits of APRS these days?
Here's what I've found so far (I'm new to APRS, but been a ham for decades):
1. Position reports. Questionable quality due to low beacon rates as compared to ADS-B
2. Ability to send/receive TXT messages through a SMSGATE; though its a little clunky for recipients to reply.
3. Assists in finding the freqs that local hams are monitoring (if they're advertising their freq in their beacon)
4. Have a text qso with other hams by sending messages addressed to particular callsigns.. clunky due to having to scroll through they keyboard on the yaesu rig.
5. Offering cross-band repeat while loitering in an area could be fun for people on the ground.
...aaaand thats all I got. Anything else I should be exploring??
So the initial intention was to have a VHF/UHF radio just to ragchew while on longer flights.. and of course, shoot some fish in a barrel when it comes to making Field Day contacts.. APRS is a total side-benefit..
So now that we're in 2022, where there are a ton of ADS-B receivers scattered everywhere, thanks to FlightAware, FlightRadar24, ADSBExchange, and some others.. what are the benefits of APRS these days?
Here's what I've found so far (I'm new to APRS, but been a ham for decades):
1. Position reports. Questionable quality due to low beacon rates as compared to ADS-B
2. Ability to send/receive TXT messages through a SMSGATE; though its a little clunky for recipients to reply.
3. Assists in finding the freqs that local hams are monitoring (if they're advertising their freq in their beacon)
4. Have a text qso with other hams by sending messages addressed to particular callsigns.. clunky due to having to scroll through they keyboard on the yaesu rig.
5. Offering cross-band repeat while loitering in an area could be fun for people on the ground.
...aaaand thats all I got. Anything else I should be exploring??