APRS can even be used to track and comm with the ISS space station. Turn your volume down on this one.

This ia a shot of the APRS system as McMinn County came under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning today. Note the message from the NWS / MRX server.

This screenshot shows my proximity to the warned cells. Note this is NOT RADAR but NWS plotting the core of the warned cells onto the APRS system. This is great for severe weather nets as they can call on you directly for a report once they see you are close to a warned cell.

Thanks again for the info.

After much contemplation, I decided on the YAESU FT-2900R to get off the ground and get my feet wet. Doesnt have all the bells and whistles but after reading a lot of reviews, it seems to do what I need it to do to get started.

Next quest is deciding on an ant. Looking for a magnet mount cause I'm not ready to drill 3/4 in holes in the roof of my Jeep yet.

Any suggestions there.

Thanks

Mike

I really like the kenwood d710 with the avmap! but i dont think i have the wallet to drop on it ! I am looking for a radio to start out with! i like the d710 but cant seem to find it for sale online anywhere!

The 2900 is a great rig especially to start with. I have run an 8800 for years and loved it. As for antennas there are a lot more options than the 3/4" NMO or 1/2" SO-239 mounts but I have to admmit I am a bit partial to Comet antennas but that's just me.

Places to get the D710?

I got mine from Ham Radio Outlet in Atlanta they usually have the best price but check them all before buying.

hamradio.com/

www.universal-radio.com/index.html

aesham.com/

www.hamcity.com/store/pc/home.asp

www.gigaparts.com/radioindex.php

www.randl.com/shop/index.shtml

That'll get you started!!

Appreciate It! Karma Point Your Way! I just gotta ask , i have done research like crazy, How did you set up the emergency loacater beacon? Can i have some info on that?

There are two different systems that you can use for emergency beacon. The first is an EPIRB or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. EPIRBs are primarily for ships and aircraft but of late there are personal EPIRBs for skiers, snowmobilers and back country types. These systems send out a beacon on 406 Mhz that is picked up by SARSAT satellites and relayed to USMCC in Suitland, MD.

www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

The second is the APRS emergency beacon that is essentially the exclamation point "!" sent as an icon in the position beacon. This symbol sets off warning tones to everyone that monitors the APRS system worldwide that is THOUSANDS of HAM operators at any given time. The system described in my old video is the APRS system. The Terminal Node Controller has two profiles that can be switched manually. Mode one is normal operation mode two is the exclamation point "!" with the distress message. Flip the switch and the TNC enters emergency mode.

www.argentdata.com/catalog/product_info....2&products_id=55

The Kenwood TM-D710a is already set up to send the APRS emergency beacon.

I watched your video of you chase vehucle, how did you set up the switch oon then panel ?