WELCOME NEW REGISTERED USER!   YOUR VALIDATION NUMBER IS: ___________________


1.  See INSTALL.txt and BE SURE TO USE PKUNZIP -d TO UNZIP APRS!
2.  Within the program hit F1 to select from a number of HELP screens
3.  Use the README FILE INDEX below to find detail on many APRS subjects
4.  All APRS commands are single KEY commands.  Some bring up additional menus
    on the bottom of the screen.  Only hit the first letter of a given command.

SUMMARY:  APRS can be summed up with two concepts, REAL-TIME PACKET TACTICAL
COMMUNICATIONS and MAPS.  Probably 98 % of APRS potential does not need GPS or
any tracking devices.  Think of APRS as just a multi-user distributed packet
network with a MAP display for many exciting amateur applications:

  Network topology monitoring      Direction Finding      Weather reporting
  Frequency Coordination database  DX cluster monitoring  HF DX plotter
  AMSAT ground station tracker     Satellite tracker      Search & Rescue
  Special event tracker/organizer  Boat/mobile/RV tracker RF path estimating
  Local area CHAT mode             Telemetry displays

For the Vehicle tracking applications it is important to use the standard
145.79, 445.925, and 10.1515 LSB national vehicle tracking frequencies,
where available.  Mobile's wander across political boundaries and single
frequency GPS trackers are common.  See HF.txt and UHFFREQ.txt for freqs.

In addition to these standard APRS freqs, APRS can also be used as a monitor
tool on all frequencies.  If all community packet NODES, BBS's, DIGI's
and other network assets included their position in their beacons, then
any APRS user could see a network map of all assets on any frequency.  This is
an excellent Frequency Coordination tool!  Each night when you secure, tune
your APRS radio to a different digital frequency and see who you pick up!

DEMONSTRATIONS:  There are two important DEMO commands for past events.  First,
load a snapshot of previous events from the BACKUP files using the FILES-LOAD
command.  Nothing moves, but you can see a snapshot when the file was saved.
Secondly, use the more powerful FILE-REPLAY command to replay track histories
of previous events.  Many past APRS events are included on the distro disk.
Replay them all and use the PgUP/DN keys and HOME key to zoom in or out as
the file is replayed.

DOCUMENTATION:  Since APRS is a generalized tool with application in almost
all facets of amateur radio, it is hard to write a simple description.  For
this reason all of the documentation is written into numerous .TXT files, each
focused on a particular subject.  These files can be read ON-LINE using the
F1(HELP)-FILES command.  All of these files are in the README subdirectory:

FILENAME     DESCRIPTION
----------   ------------------------------------------------------------
INSTALL.txt  Tells you how to unzip the APRS distro disk and get started
README.1st   This file.  Provides an overview and INDEX to all other files
NEWNOTES.txt Tells of important changes in the latest versions

APRS.doc     General description and overview of APRS
AIRCRAFT.txt Using APRS from Aircraft and how to interface to ARNAV format
BBSNOTES.txt Suggestions to BBS SYSOPS on how to use APRS
BOATS.txt    Suggested use of APRS to support the WaterWay Net
CDROM.txt    Using MAPFIX.bas to generate maps from $32 USGS CD ROMs
COMMERCL.txt COMMERCIAL APRS to interface with other DELORME/STREETS prgms
DF.txt       Information on DFing and AUTOMATIC Doppler interfaces!
DEMOS.txt    A quick summary of demonstrations and replays to impress you.
DIGIS.txt    Important info on using Digipeaters
DIGITIZR.txt Using DIGITIZERS to draw your own maps with MAPFIXER.bas prgm!
PROTOCOL.txt Info on APRS formats for setting up TNC BTexts
DXclustr.txt Info on using APRS to plot DX spots on a DX cluster frequency
GPS.txt      Interfacing GPS or LORAN to APRS or stand-alone TNC's
HF.txt       Notes on the APRS HF tracking network
HELP.txt     Describes each of the APRS commands in detail
MAPS.txt     Detailed information on how to build your own maps
MOREMAPS.txt Tells how to find addditional mapfiles for your area
MARATHON.txt Lessons learned at the Marine Corps Marathon
MOBILE.txt   Notes on Mobile operations with GPS
MOUSE.txt    How to use a MOUSE with APRS
OPS.txt      Suggestions on routine APRS operations
SCREEN.txt   Describes the APRS screen and display areas
SPACE.txt    Suggested use of APRS for plotting satellite packet stationns
SYMBOLS.txt  A table of APRS symbols and the symbol designators
TELEMTRY.txt Describes a SINGLE-CHIP TNC telemetry xmtr for balloons, etc..
VOX-APRS.txt Integrating APRS into voice repeaters
WX.txt       Info on using APRS for displaying weather information
70CHANLS.2m  70 hidden channels on 2m for bulk data transfer!
IDEAS.txt    A file of other neat APRS ideas to encourage others to write
              supporting TNC and forwarding code.  Programmers READ IT!

SETUP:  Customize APRS to start up centered on your area by zooming the map to
your center of activity.  Next set your desired digipeater path using the
APRS UNPROTO command.  (To understand the UNPROTO concept, refer to your TNC
manual).  Finally, use the ALT-SETUP menu to SAVE your config file.  You will
be prompted for your validation number and then asked for a CONFIG file
extension.  Normally just select the default of APRS unless you want to
be able to invoke several different CONFIG files...

Non-registered users can zoom into their area and use the FILE-SAVE command to
SAVE a backup file of their current situation.  When they start up APRS, after
logging on, they simply use FILE-LOAD to LOAD that backup file to bring up the
neighborhood map.  Then they move the cursor and place themselves on the map
in the right place.  Europeans, or non US hams may want to change the default
map from the initial USA map which is determined by the default LAT/LONG and
RANGE in the first three lines of the MAPLIST.USA file.  You may also use many
different MAPLIST.xxx files.  Several states have developed their own: CA, OH,
AK, MO, MN, etc.. (see MOREMAPS.txt)

MAPS! - To see my best maps so far, zoom into Idaho Falls at the 1 mile range,
or either Baltimore or NewOrleans at the 4 mile scale to see maps made with
a digitizer.  See N. Tennessee for the type of highway maps available on the
USGS 2,000,000 CD ROM.  You can make your own maps from the directions in
MAPS.txt using a variety of techniques.  There are $32 USGS CD roms that cover
your area but take AN AWFUL LOT OF TIME AND FRUSTRATION to develop and APRS
map.  See CDROM.txt.  The fastest way to make a map is with a digitizer but
you can also use pencil and paper.  Just grid the map, define the upper left
origin, and enter X-Y offsets  to all points desired.  A map of reasonable
detail for you and your chums should only take a few evenings.

   APRS is now distributed as an EAST, CENTRL, SEAST and WEST version plus
several STATE versions.  See README\MOREMAPS.txt for details on getting
additional maps.  Look for an APRS BBS in your state for detailed local maps.
The biggest APRS states are CA,OH, FL,TX,MD,AZ,VA,NJ,and NewEngland.  Most
other states have 3 or fewer users.  If you are in one of these states, AND
DONT HAVE at least the major highways on your maps. Let me know!

APRS PROTOCOL:  APRS uses Unnumbered Information (UI) frames without ACKS to
avoid the in-efficiencies of a normal fully connected network.  To be a good
APRS operator, you need to understand DIGIPEATING and the UNPROTO command,
since you are responsible for your own best path within the network.  If you
are unfamiliar with these UI terms, consult your TNC user manual.  Also note
that while APRS is on-line, it generates its own Position and Status beacons.
Your TNC BText is not used until you Quit APRS; then your TNC BText with your
position in it is activated.

PACKET POSITIONS ON ALL FREQS:  Finally, encourage all BBS's, NODES, Servers,
and stations in your area, to place their LAT/LONG in their beacon text using
the format: BT !DDMM.xxN/DDDMM.xxW/....comments.  APRS will accept this fixed
station position format anywhere in the ID text.  APRS will also plot the
positions of stations reporting by Grid Square surrounded by brackets [FM19xy]
(at the beginning of the BText only).  If all packet assets get in that habit,
then APRS will automatically plot a map of packet activity on any frequency!
If stations will also put the new Power/antenna/gain format in their BText,
then effective communications ranges can also be displayed!  See PROTOCOL.txt.

STAND-ALONE-GPS-TRACKERS:  All PACCOM TNC's and some of the other manufacturers
include a GPS command that tells the TNC to accept GPS data on the serial port
and transmit it periodically.  Assembling a TNC, GPS and a radio is all that is
needed to build a dedicated stand-alone tracking device.  Although no PC nor
APRS is rquired on the vehicle, the TNC is no longer available for two-way
communications.  If you run APRS mobile on a laptop, then see GPS.txt for ways
to use ANY TNC or ANY GPS while still operating on the air with APRS.

MORE READING:
 QST   - pg 92 July and pg 11 Aug 93 QST.  Good Pictures on pg 14 Dec 94!
 QEX   - Feb issue, 1994 for info on interfacing GPS to packet
 CQ    - Packet column Dec 1993
 73    - October 94 under the topic of HOMING IN.  Also in Jan, Feb 95 issues
 AMSAT - May 1993, AMSAT journal (but registration info is incorrect).

BBS ADDRESS:  My BBS address is WB4APR @ WB3V.MD.  Avoid any traffic in which
I may have a pecuniary interest! Hi Hi!  Look for a local APRS point of
contact for your state.  Some states have dedicated APRS phone line BBS's for
distributing local APRS maps.  Ohio is over 50 maps as of Nov 94.  I occas-
sionally check internet on the APRSSIG (see below).  I post the latest on the
Annapolis BBS at 410 280-2503.  From there, the following BBS's get it:

   CALIF      415 359-6985 Daly City   OHIO     614 443-4249 Columbus
   SOCAL      818 799-1632             S.CAROLINA 803-233-3527
   FLORIDA    407 575-9680             VIRGINIA 703 207-9622 Vienna
   ARIZONA    602 938-7528             FIDO FREQ APRS@1:109/239
   TORONTO    905 792-7890             FIDO NET 161/911               
   INTERNET locations (uploaded by others, so will NOT be latest)
            @ muncey.com ip 140.174.180.1 in Public\APRS
              loggon as Guest or Anonymous with EMail addr as Pwd.
            @ oak.oakland.edu in SIMTEL/PACKET/PUB/HAMRADIO
            @ tapr.org in tapr.sig.aprssig

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