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AnyTone AT-D878UV II (ver 2) PLUS
for a codeplug for the version II (2), click HERE
Analog APRS Receive Setup
FAQ first:
Q. Will the 878uv V2 Plus receive and display analog APRS-GPS packets?Yes, select an analog memory channel that has 144.390 as the receive frequency and monitor the APRS broadcasts. The radios screen will change from the channel screen to a GPS data screen with the specifics of the just-received APRS-GPS transmission. After a few seconds, the screen will return to the channel display.
But there are programming specifics, covered in the details below.Q. Do I need to have the GPS receiver on and locked... in order to receive and display these APRS-GPS transmissions?
No. But when the radio displays the data from a received APRS-GPS packet... part of the screen shows a compass icon. There is a pointer on the compass telling you where this hams GPS coordinates are in relationship to your position. It will only be accurately pointing if your GPS receiver is on and locked. If the GPS receiver is off, you still get the data display and the compass pointer will be there... but based on the last GPS coordinates your radio received from its previous operation.
Summary: GPS receiver not on or locked??? Inaccurate pointer and distance value.Q. I hear many APRS-GPS packets on 144.390, but the display doesn't change; still shows the channel screen.
Long answer here, but important. At my QTH I've had a fully functional Digipeater for 15 years; and it digipeats hundreds of APRS-GPS packet transmissions monthly. I noticed my 878uv V2 Plus ignored any rebroadcast from my Digipeater; and only displays the info when receiving the packet directly from its original sender.
Simply put, the 878uv V2 Plus doesn't want to be bothered with transmissions from a Digipeater (and this may be a blessing in disguise).If the 878 hears the analog packet transmission directly from its original sender, it will display properly. But any "rebroadcast" from a Digipeater... the 878 ignores that rebroadcast- even though this "Digipeat" is heard over the 878 speaker just fine.
So... if you hear 5 analog APRS-GPS packets on your 878 within a few minutes, they might not all result in the radios display reacting to the data. Of those 5 heard... how many were from the originator, and how many were Digipeater rebroadcasts? If all 5 were Digipeater rebroadcasts, then none of them would result with GPS data displaying on your 878.
Q. So, are you saying that all digipeater rebroadcasts will be ignored by the 878 UV V2 Plus?
My only experience is with my particular Digipeater, which uses a TNC-X as its controller. I can't predict the same outcome from all the various Digipeating systems available out there.
I know that my Digipeater is aligned to proper modulation specifications and frequency accuracy.
I have since found out (via Google search) that others have reported this Digipeater finding as well; so I don't think it's my specific Digipeater. It is possibly a intentional by-design decision; as you wouldn't want to receive and display the same transmission many times (first fron the original sender, then again as it's digipeated).
This is to help possibly explain the many comments of those first trying the analog APRS-GPS receive function: "I hear data transmissions but the display doesn't switch away from the channel screen".
How to set up the 878uv V2 Plus to receive analog APRS-GPS packets
note: this is using the newest firmware and CPS ver 3.02
Summary (details and screen shots follow):
* Edit the APRS settings via the CPS
* Edit the GPS/Ranging settings under "Optional Settings" "GPS/Ranging" section
* Program an analog channel for 144.390 simplex, with certain specifics.
* MAKE CERTAIN to include this new channel into one of your Zones !
* reprog (burn) your radio and turn to this new channel.
CPS, left side, click on APRS
Note: for analog APRS-GPS... you only need to look at & match the red circled fields; ignore all other areas.
Look at all entries within the circles; and most importantly at the bottom right; check all those boxes as pictured. Once you get everything working, if you're like me you will uncheck "WX Report". Unchecking will filter-out those packets from being displayed. My local area APRS weather stations send packets every 5-10 minutes, even during times of calm weather.Summary on the check boxes; a check mark allows, an unchecked box will block that type of packet from being displayed.
But at first, check all the boxes.
CPS, left side, click on Optional Setting, then the GPS/Ranging tab
Obviously the "Time Zone" field should be set to the area you are located.
CPS, left side, click on Channel
create a new analog channel with the following:
this specific setup would be to receive only on this channel; hence the checked "PTT Prohibit".
I have two of these channels programmed into my 878; the second one has APRS-GPS Send activated "APRS Report Type" to Analog (and PTT Prohibit is not checked).
Underneath the "APRS RX" checkbox is "Ana APRS Mute". Checking this will mute the received packet noise, but still allow the data to get through to the screen. Obviously you could just turn down the volume instead of muting it via programming.
Once done with the channel creation, remember to add this new channel to one of your ZONES before writing the codeplug to your radio.
NOTE: On my 878v2... if I have the "APRS-RX" box checked on a channel - that channel will no longer receive texts.
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