AP510 / AVRT5 APRS tracker - HF signal

AVRT5 APRS tracker

With the help of one of my colleagues @ QRL we measured the HF signal (144.800MHz - European APRS QRG) of the AVRT5 APRS tracker with a R&S Spectrum analyzer (3kHz-7GHz).
All measurements were made with a 6dB attenuator and 1m RG58CU between the Tracker and the Analyzer.

HF Signal - 144.800MHz

Power Measuring: 30.46dBm / 1.1Watt

At -5khz from center freq we measured a delta of 41.18dB

Harmonic frequ: The 1st harmonic at 289.7MHz has a delta of -9.13dB. That is too high for using it for a permanent digi. A filter is needed to further lower the harmonic signal.

AFSK data signal burst (my beacon of DK7XE-8) ~1sec duration

AFSK data signal - last 320ms

AP510 / AVRT5 APRS tracker

The AP510 / AVRT5 APRS tracker is a tiny APRS tracker with built in GPS and bluetooth.
Transmitting power is around 1W (detailed measurement result available on ap510-avrt5-aprs-tracker-hf-signal).

The official website is http://www.y027.com/dvbbs8/dispbbs.asp?boardid=5&Id=829 (chinese) / webshop at  http://avrtt.taobao.com/ but there is an english group on Yahoo https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/AP510/info
You will find the latest firmware / configuration software there as well.

For the German's: Klaus, DJ7OO hat einen Erfahrungsbericht auf seiner Homepage.

I got mine from a Taiwanese Hamradio friend while being there on a business trip in June 2014.

Some details

• Transmission can be set to a fixed timing, smart beaconing or triggered manually via button.
• Built in GPS.
• Acts as a WIDE1-1 or WIDEn-n digipeater if needed.
• Fixed position can be programmed (e.g if used as a fixed station).
• Tracks can be stored on MicroSD card.
• Built in Battery
• Configuration / Charging to be done via serial connection (miniUSB connector).
• KISS / Waipoint / UI frame output on serial (4800Bd) and Bluetooth.
• Works perfectly with APRSdroid as BluetoothTNC (Output to be set to KISS).
• Operating frequency can be set via configuration program.
• Some parameters can be set via AT commends

I'm really happy with this device since it works perfectly with APRSdroid and fit's in every pocket.

Remarks

• Bluetooth connection only works after GPS lock therefore you have to wait some seconds before connecting to the device. Bluetooth pairing code is 1234.
• miniUSB connector is a Serial Port therefore the included USB cable needs to be used for programming (charging works with every standard USB cable).
• Help is provided via the AP510 / AVRT5 Yahoo Group.
• Be aware that the TX power is low compared to other stations therefore not every transmission might reach a Digi/Gate when being in a busy APRS area.
• If you have problems on connection via serial take a look at the Video on AP510 APRS tracker configure software and firmware

Serial / BT commands

According the info on http://avrtt.taobao.com/ some settings can be changed by sending AT commands.
Either you connect via the serial (USB) port with following settings 4800Bd 8N1. Or you use a bluetooth, e.g. BluetoothTerminal on Android.
Import: serial/bluetooth communication seems to work ONLY after GPS lock.

To make it work you have to follow the steps below
1) connect
2) send ^M
3) send the AT command. E.g. AT+BEEP=0
4) the device will send OK back.
5) reboot the device to have the NEW settings active.

The following commands are currently known

setting the callsign
AT+CALL=BG6QBV7

setting frequency
AT+FREQ=144.6400

switch tone on
AT+BEEP=1

switch tone off
AT+BEEP=1
 

Pictures

Antenna setup for BV0TPSJ

I joined the the CTARL team on Sunday July 6th to setup the Antenna's for BV0TPSJ JOTA activity at Municipal Dongmenguomin Elementary School.

We managed to setup a 2m/70cm GP, a 3element HF beam and a end fed wire for 40m monoband.

I was damned hot at the roof at noon. Also the 3 ele HF beam did not work as expected. No resonance on any of the bands.
Therefore a readjustment of the element lengths was done in the afternoon but even then we did not manage to get it work.
The guys tried out 40m on the longwire but the conditions were far off from being perfect.

I hope the guys can manage the problem with the 3ele HF yagi during the next days.

Therefore no operation on the higher bands at the moment. As far as i have been told there will be also no operation on Monday / Tuesday.
I hope i manage to join them when they are on air. But the chance is very low at the moment (due to none working antenna / unknown operating schedule).

Setup up 2m/70cm GP

Setup of 3ele HF yagi

 

Hua-Wei, BX2AI testing the 3ele yagi

Readjustment of the yagi in the afternoon

The 40m station setup

The 20m long-wire for 40m band.

BM1CDD calling CQ on 40m.

QRV in Taipei 06.07.2014-10.07.2014

I'm invited to join the local CTARL team operating BV0TPSJ from 06.07.-12.07.
The station will be located at a school in Taipei.

Current planning is to get two stations on air using the following equipment

Transceiver: Yaesu FT-897, Icom ic-746

Antenna: C4S Yagi, Longwire+ATU

Planned operation schedule (UTC)

7/6(Sun) 02:00 – 05:00 Station setup; maybe i'm allowed to operate afterwards

7/7(Mon) 01:00 – 15:00 operation

7/8(Tue) 01:00 – 15:00 operation

7/9(Wed) 01:00 – 15:00 operation

7/10(Thu) 01:00 – 04:00, 10:00 – 15:00 operation

7/11(Fri) 01:00 – 15:00 operation

7/12(Sat) 01:00 – 04:00 operation; from 05:00 onwards Station packing

I will post pictures and some more information while i'm there.

I will be there on Sunday for the station setup and try to join Mo-Thu from 12:00 UTC/each day.

73' Gerald
- BW/DK7XE -

Operating permit for Taiwan

I just received today via BV2FP the temporary operating permit from the Taiwanese government to work on a local radio station as BW/DK7XE.

Looking forward to get on air soon.

Gerald
BW/DK7XE

Meeting with CTARL members

local CTARL radio club members

nice welcome present i got

Today i have met some of the taiwanese hamradio club (CTARL) members at their weekly meeting in Taipei.
It was a very nice welcome by David, BV2FP and the others.

I'm invited to give a presentation on APRS in Germany on 9th of July. As well as to an IOTA activity on Sunday, July 6th. Chances are high that you can hear me "on air" on that day.

Information for foreigners wishing to do hamradio operation in Taiwan

Important is that it is not allowed to bring own equipment.

Transmission by visitors is only allowed by approval of government via a Temporary Operating Permit.

The CTARL website is providing some further information on how to apply for an operating permission.

• Visitors and short-term residents of Taiwan wishing to operate an Amateur Radio station in Taiwan
• David, BV2FP can provide some further information when needed.

73' de Gerald
- BW/DK7XE -