RX only APRSIS/32 iGate software packet TNC UZ7HO

 This all started with an email from Mustafa, a radio amateur (TA2MUN) from Istanbul this Aug 2017 with a Track Request for APRS Pico Balloon (https://picoballoon.ist/). As there was no APRS activity here in Pakistan thus no igates, so I had to put up something and quickly. My initial research led me to the APRSIS/32 software for APRS but the problem was the TNC modem which was a hardware and not readily available here. On further research, the software based TNC modem commonly known as software Packet-Radio TNC came to light and I selected UZ7HO. below are the simple steps to get it online for an RX only igate.

 

 1. Setup:
  • Asus EeePC connected to the internet with base operating system WindowsXP SP2, yes it an old OS chosen because of the laptop hardware 
  • YAESU FT-411E 2m HT
  • Diamond F-22 2m external antenna
  • 3.5mm mono to 3.5mm stereo audio cable (from HT speaker to laptop mic)
2. Downloaded both the APRSIS32 and UZ7HO packet modem to a folder on C drive.

3. Ran soundmodem.exe (UZ7HO) and selected settings then devices from menu

Make sure correct input device is selected

4. Selected Settings then modems from menu
Make sure AFSK AX.25 1200bd is selected
 software Packet-Radio TNC UZ7HO is now configured, keep it running.

5. APRSIS32 :  Run the program, and select Configure then General from menu

type in your call sign, please send an e-mail to Passcode Request for a passcode. Make sure you include your name, callsign, and the fact that you need a passcode for APRSISCE/32

6. Select Configure, Ports then New Port from menu
Select AGW from dropdown menu and enter a name of the port and create

7. Select TCP/IP and enter the values


8. de-select IS to RF and Xmit Enable as we are not sending anything over RF, select Accept
9.Move to your location on MAP and select Transmit from menu
iGate is now online, connect the RF speaker with mic/linein of computer, select mic level around 25% and HT speaker volume level around 50% (this works for me, you might have to tinker with levels)

A final testing using APRSDroid on a phone, beacon transmitted over RF and received by igate shows packets in UZ7HO screen ;) and aprs.fi for AP2CJ-1 mapped.

Next phase - igate using raspberrypi with RTL dongle

 73's

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