tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post6688765939238311316..comments2024-02-11T02:24:22.330-06:00Comments on Nonbovine Ruminations: APRS station: shopping listAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04107127399494404366noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-79924551950674483832008-09-25T09:39:00.000-05:002008-09-25T09:39:00.000-05:00I realized the same thing after I started sketchin...I realized the same thing after I started sketching out a basic setup on paper. Methinks we stayed up too late playing munchkin last night and got too little sleep.<BR/><BR/>My concern is that for the price of the needed hardware I almost might as well go pick up a Kenwood TM-710D with built in APRS support and I believe it has a built in TNC as well.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand the Rigblaster might be useful in other endeavors in the future.<BR/><BR/>Decisions decisions, the govt should send me some Radiobailiout funds and I'll just get all of the above.<BR/><BR/>Do you know of any preferred linux/Mac APRS software. packages? I've been looking at Xastir, I'm also looking at macAPRS which still runs in its current carbon form but doesn't appear to have plans for updates in the future (hasn't been updated since 2003). Xastir can be compiled on the Mac as well. More decisions, thanks for your input.-Rakden-https://www.blogger.com/profile/03574565285482419806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-19444656523848666502008-09-25T09:25:00.000-05:002008-09-25T09:25:00.000-05:00AGWTracker appears to be a "soft TNC". Linux has ...<A HREF="http://www.agwtracker.com/" REL="nofollow">AGWTracker</A> appears to be a "soft TNC". Linux has had AX.25 built into the kernel (as an option) for years, which provides basically the same functionality as AGWTracker. AGWTracker, as a software package, doesn't replace the RIGBlaster, which is the hardware needed to actually connect the radio to the computer so that the radio's audio channels are fed into the computer's sound card with appropriate level adjustments, and also so that the computer can control the radio's transmitter. You need some sort of device for this; the RIGBlaster is one of the better ones but it is pricy. There are less expensive options, but you can't do away with them entirely, unless (of course) your radio has a built-in TNC interface.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04107127399494404366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-18012759324981999132008-09-25T07:54:00.000-05:002008-09-25T07:54:00.000-05:00Do you suppose one could use the AGW Packet Engine...Do you suppose one could use the AGW Packet Engine and not have to use a rigblaster at all?-Rakden-https://www.blogger.com/profile/03574565285482419806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-30754470467671923762008-09-24T15:46:00.000-05:002008-09-24T15:46:00.000-05:00I am also interested in setting up an APRS station...I am also interested in setting up an APRS station on the cheap. I'm currently collecting materials to set this up. I also have an overabundance of computers so I'm hoping to use one of those as the TNC with a rigblaster. I've got a G4 cube I'm hoping to use MacAPRS with but if I have to I'll use a Windows/Linux box.<BR/><BR/>I've got an Icom IC-28H that I'm probably going to use for this purpose and antenna wise it's probably going to get a copper j-pole or mag mount on a sheet of metal in the attic (because I already have these items and we're on a budget aren't we?!)<BR/><BR/>I'll be interested to see how your setup comes along. I'll probably update my blog with information @ alexkaltsas.com when I get closer to setting this up.-Rakden-https://www.blogger.com/profile/03574565285482419806noreply@blogger.com