I am an amateur radio operator (also known as a HAM radio operator) with the call sign of KK1EMS. I just upgraded my license to a general class which affords many operating privileges in the HF bands. Amateur radio has a very wide range of activities and offers something for everyone. Some things that I am fond of involve the data aspects of radio including APRS, packet, and satellite communications. I wish my work schedule and other hobbies allowed more time for experimentation. Below, I have some of the projects I am or have been working on.
HF
Since my upgrade to general class I have started using my FT-897D on 20 meters and 17 meters. I have installed an attic dipole with drooped ends, fed with a short length of ladder line and a DX Engineering balun. I run to the balun with coax and an LDG Z-100 Plus tuner. While it's a little short on 20 meters I'm still able to tune up okay and have been making some good contacts in Europe and the Carribean. Obviously I can't compete with the big guns but I find a way to get in there and make the contact. I'm amazed at what is possible running 90 watts with the radiator inside the attic. I even put a vertical dipole for 2 meters up there and have full capture on the local repeater with 5 watts, hihi.
FT-897D opened on the bench.
APRS
Where to start with this subject? APRS, Automatic Packet Reporting System, was developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, as a "two-way tactical real-time digital communications system between all assets in a network sharing information about everything going on in the local area". If that sounds like a lot, it is. APRS can do everything from report the real time positions of tactical assets in an emergency, to sharing text messages between users, to allowing users to enter items of interest at a special event. It can do all of these things and many more as browsing the above link will quickly show. I’ll be the first to admit I’m using APRS far below its capabilities, nonetheless it is entertaining and I have learned a lot with my one direction reporting. Below you can see my most recent location report from the great website aprs.fi
Oops! My tracker is not currently on, the position shown was the last one transmitted. I'll have it up soon.
TinyTrak3 Plus
TheTinyTrak3 Plus is an APRS tracker designed to be hooked to a transceiver. Getting down to basics, it encodes a packet and transmits it over the air to be heard by other stations. This packet will generally contain GPS data and sometimes some other text information. I liked the original tracker but wanted to add some extra functionality (i.e. switches to control primary and secondary call signs, manually send a packet, etc...) I placed my TinyTrak3 Plus in a metal project case as seen below.
TinyTrak 4
I picked up the latest edition of the TinyTrak line from Byonics, the TinyTrak4. I don't have mine hooked up to an ignition power switch or a voltage controled power switch preferring an old fashioned toggle. Here are a few pictures of me installing a power cord and toggle switch in the provided case. The TinyTrak4 is like its predecessor but with greater expanded capabilities to act as a TNC and provide APRS output to displays and mobile GPS units.
Was it you I used to know
Can't you hear me call
On this old ham radio"