UPDATED 7/10/16: I made corrections for some some minor technical errors, especially using the FTM-400XD to set up the QSY.
One of the reasons I ended up with going with the FTM-400XD was the ability to use the dual-receiver function to do both APRS and voice communications. I found APRS to be a fascinating mode, and I really jumped in to it with two feet. I really think that the FTM-400XD really makes it easy to use.
However, I find it difficult to contact other operators for a QSO because they do not enter their frequency information in their beacon text comments. Most radios make it very easy to do, especially the FTM-400XD. By entering the frequency information, it makes it easy for amateur radio operators using APRS to contact each other!
One of the reasons I ended up with going with the FTM-400XD was the ability to use the dual-receiver function to do both APRS and voice communications. I found APRS to be a fascinating mode, and I really jumped in to it with two feet. I really think that the FTM-400XD really makes it easy to use.
However, I find it difficult to contact other operators for a QSO because they do not enter their frequency information in their beacon text comments. Most radios make it very easy to do, especially the FTM-400XD. By entering the frequency information, it makes it easy for amateur radio operators using APRS to contact each other!
APRS Beaconing
When using APRS with the FTM-400XD, I use it to beacon my location. This is how it is very commonly used, and when received, results in a remote operator getting your position, course, speed, altitude, some additional information, and a text comment. The comment can be anything, but there's a lot of capability with the APRS specification. The most useful part of the text comment is the ability to use standardized codes to allow users of advanced radios to press a single button to find you on the airwaves (on the FTM-400XD, it is the QSY button that appears when the remote radio is viewing your position beacon). Alternatively, if their radio does not have the QSY button, it helps other operators manually enter the correct information to establish communications.
Although I am going to focus on the FTM-400XD, the discussion below regarding the APRS specifications can be used with any APRS radio.
With the FTM-400XD, under the BEACON TEXT field, you can create a comment with three options: NONE, FREQ, or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT. Each of them is a little different:
Although I am going to focus on the FTM-400XD, the discussion below regarding the APRS specifications can be used with any APRS radio.
With the FTM-400XD, under the BEACON TEXT field, you can create a comment with three options: NONE, FREQ, or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT. Each of them is a little different:
- NONE results in a field of just free-entry text.
- FREQ automatically prepopulates your comment with the frequency that your radio's other receiver is set to, regardless if you are in VFO or memory mode.
- FREQ & SQL & SHIFT automatically prepopulates your comment with the frequency, tone, and offset that your radio's other receiver is set to, regardless if you are in VFO or memory mode.
I highly recommend that users at least use the FREQ or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT modes. If not, take a look at the APRS frequency formats so that you can at least put in the frequency that you normally listen to while you're beaconing.
What's the big deal?
Then you're beaconing, other users know that your station is online and available. However, if you don't provide useful information in the comment field, the only way to establish a QSO is through Voice Alert. Otherwise, they are simply guessing as to what frequency or repeater you are listening to!
I see a lot of station position packets come through with information like: "Red Truck", the user's call sign, or the operator's name. None of that is useful unless I want to use Voice Alert. Voice Alert, however, is not always as useful as you might think. When you use it, every person on APRS hears you, and you need to clearly state that you are on Voice Alert. You also need to declare a frequency to continue the QSO on, because you're not supposed to tie up the frequency with conversation.
Make it easy on the folks receiving your APRS packets. By using a FREQ object or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT object, it is very easy to facilitate conducting a QSO by using the QSY option available on many radios, including the FTM-400XD.
As stated previously, it is possible to do a similar thing manually. This may be required if you are not using an FTM-400XD. In your comment, you simply start with the frequency, followed by your tone and offset.
For example:
If you enter the following: 146,520MHz National Calling Frequency
Then, when the remote user uses the QSY function, their VFO will automatically tune to 146.520 MHz. If nothing else, it shows remote users what you're receiving.
If you enter the following: 146.845MHz T107 +060 Club Repeater
Then, when the remote user uses the QSY function, their VFO will automatically tune to 146.845 MHz, set up the tone to 107.2, and set the offset to +600 KHz. There are no decimals required in the tone because it is a standardized system of tones. Also, a tone of less than three digits looks like this: T067 is 67.8 tone.
You can also force simplex, like this: 146.520MHz Toff -000 National Calling Frequency
Once again, if you have the FTM-400XD, make it easy on yourself and use the FREQ or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT objects. It will let you scan frequencies while you're traveling without having to change your beacon texts, which is not safe when you're driving. The system automatically inserts whatever frequency, tone, and shift you're using!
Some notes for the FTM-400XD specifically:
The QSY feature automatically prepares your non-beaconing VFO to establish the QSO. If you are in MEMORY mode when you receive the position object and press the QSY button, it will not work. You must shift to VFO mode in order to use the QSY button.
I see a lot of station position packets come through with information like: "Red Truck", the user's call sign, or the operator's name. None of that is useful unless I want to use Voice Alert. Voice Alert, however, is not always as useful as you might think. When you use it, every person on APRS hears you, and you need to clearly state that you are on Voice Alert. You also need to declare a frequency to continue the QSO on, because you're not supposed to tie up the frequency with conversation.
Make it easy on the folks receiving your APRS packets. By using a FREQ object or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT object, it is very easy to facilitate conducting a QSO by using the QSY option available on many radios, including the FTM-400XD.
As stated previously, it is possible to do a similar thing manually. This may be required if you are not using an FTM-400XD. In your comment, you simply start with the frequency, followed by your tone and offset.
For example:
If you enter the following: 146,520MHz National Calling Frequency
Then, when the remote user uses the QSY function, their VFO will automatically tune to 146.520 MHz. If nothing else, it shows remote users what you're receiving.
If you enter the following: 146.845MHz T107 +060 Club Repeater
Then, when the remote user uses the QSY function, their VFO will automatically tune to 146.845 MHz, set up the tone to 107.2, and set the offset to +600 KHz. There are no decimals required in the tone because it is a standardized system of tones. Also, a tone of less than three digits looks like this: T067 is 67.8 tone.
You can also force simplex, like this: 146.520MHz Toff -000 National Calling Frequency
Once again, if you have the FTM-400XD, make it easy on yourself and use the FREQ or FREQ & SQL & SHIFT objects. It will let you scan frequencies while you're traveling without having to change your beacon texts, which is not safe when you're driving. The system automatically inserts whatever frequency, tone, and shift you're using!
Some notes for the FTM-400XD specifically:
The QSY feature automatically prepares your non-beaconing VFO to establish the QSO. If you are in MEMORY mode when you receive the position object and press the QSY button, it will not work. You must shift to VFO mode in order to use the QSY button.
Conclusion
APRS is incredibly useful, and really neat to play with. Operators can make it even more useful by inserting frequency, tone, and offset information in the position object text (also known as the APRS beacon embedded comment fields on many radios) so that other amateur radio operators know how to get ahold of them.
I hope to see your packet in the future with enough information to conduct a QSO!
I hope to see your packet in the future with enough information to conduct a QSO!
References
Read more about the frequency object specifications at the APRS.org website, where the information used to write this entry was drawn from: