Viperfixr
Born Again Rocketeer
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
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I recently saw the Yaesu FT1DR dual band, GPS enabled, APRS decoding handy talkie for under $300 and had to get one. I also got the BigRedBee Beeline GPS 100mw 70cm tx last night and could not wait to test them out. I had heard the FT1DR worked with BigRedbee GPS, but it was a second hand comment from one person. Since I now know they do work together, and the VG-8DR is no longer offered, I thought I would make the search easier for others with this thread. The Yaesu FT1DR is also a lot cheaper than the highly regarded Kenwood TH-D72 ($449 now) right now.
After charging the Beeline GPS up, I plugged it into the BigRedBee software, put in my callsign and a free 70cm band 'beacon' frequency from the local frequency plan. Done & easy. Note: you do need a HAM Technician license or higher to use this--callsign is needed.
Other than configuring the Yaesu for a 1200 baud APRS modem and dialing in the correct frequency in only the B bank (dual band, but only that one is APRS enabled), the rest was automatic. Literally, when you hit the right frequency and the FT1DR detects an APRS packet, it automatically switches to a screen that shows the incoming callsign, the long/lat from the Beeline position, the text from the Beeline (which shows altitude), how far away it is and what direction it is at from the FT1DR--looks pretty easy. A walk around the neigborhood with the FT1DR handheld (aftermarket 'long' antennae) and the Beeline in my backyard on a table showed a great track back to the Beeline whole time--never lost the signal up to 1/4 mile away. After losing the signal, like after a rocket lands, you can easily bring up the last APRS packet and navigate to that point.
The 1200 baud piece took me a little while to figure out, but the rest was easy. I am missing the next launch, but will test this combo in action at our May launch--more to follow.
After charging the Beeline GPS up, I plugged it into the BigRedBee software, put in my callsign and a free 70cm band 'beacon' frequency from the local frequency plan. Done & easy. Note: you do need a HAM Technician license or higher to use this--callsign is needed.
Other than configuring the Yaesu for a 1200 baud APRS modem and dialing in the correct frequency in only the B bank (dual band, but only that one is APRS enabled), the rest was automatic. Literally, when you hit the right frequency and the FT1DR detects an APRS packet, it automatically switches to a screen that shows the incoming callsign, the long/lat from the Beeline position, the text from the Beeline (which shows altitude), how far away it is and what direction it is at from the FT1DR--looks pretty easy. A walk around the neigborhood with the FT1DR handheld (aftermarket 'long' antennae) and the Beeline in my backyard on a table showed a great track back to the Beeline whole time--never lost the signal up to 1/4 mile away. After losing the signal, like after a rocket lands, you can easily bring up the last APRS packet and navigate to that point.
The 1200 baud piece took me a little while to figure out, but the rest was easy. I am missing the next launch, but will test this combo in action at our May launch--more to follow.
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