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
   
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 it is important to use the standard 145.79, 445.925, 
HF 10.1515 LSB and CB channel 29 vehicle tracking frequencies, where available.  
Mobile's are often XTAL controlled.  See HF. and UHFFREQ.txt for freqs.

In addition to these standard APRS freqs, use APRS as a monitoring tool on 
all frequencies for plotting the locations of NODES, BBS's, DIGI's and other 
network assets which include their position in their beacons.  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 (nothing moves) of previous events from the BACKUP files using 
the FILES-LOAD command.  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.  So
choose from any of the following .TXT files.  These files can be read ON-LINE 
using the F1(HELP)-FILES command. 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
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.
DOWNLOAD.txt List of BBS's and FTP sites carrying APRS
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     Overview of MAP distribution and sources, experts and Elmer's
MAPMAKIN.txt Details on the structure of an APRS map file
MAPS-CD.txt  How to make maps from the USGS CD ROMS ($32 each)
MARATHON.txt Lessons learned at the Marine Corps Marathon
METEORS.txt  How to use APRS during meteor showers
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..
TROUBLE.txt  Hints and ideas for troubleshooting
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:  First, zoom into your area of activity with the Page and HOME keys.  
Next set your desired digipeater path using the APRS UNPROTO command.  This
command needs your TNC connected before it can work.  (To understand the 
UNPROTO concept, refer to your TNC manual).  Finally, use the ALT-SETUP 
menu to SAVE your config file.  Give your validation number when prompted 
and select a CONFIG file extension.  Usually the default .APR.

Non US hams can change the default map from the USA location by changing the 
LAT/LONG and RANGE in the first three lines of the MAPLIST.USA file. Be sure to
use the MAPS-CHANGE command to change to your regional MAPLIST.xxx file. Many  
states have developed their own:  CA, OH, AK, MO, MN, NC, etc.. (see MAPS.txt)

MAPS! - To see my best maps, 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, or soom into my QTH at 3909N 07636W to see the 
100,000 CD ROM map made by KB8JXO.  You can make your own maps from the 
directions in MAPMAKIN.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 an APRS map.  See MAPS-CD.txt.  The easy way to make a 
map is with a digitizer but you can also use pencil and paper.  OR just replay 
a GPS track history in the MAPFIXxx.BAS program and build your own map!

   APRS is now distributed in four regional versions due to the large number
of maps becoming available.  See README\MAPS.txt for details.  Look for an APRS 
BBS in your state for detailed local maps.  If your area does not 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 problems of a normal connected network.  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 running, it 
generates its own Position and Status beacons.  Your TNC BText is not used 
until you Quit APRS; then your TNC BText 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:  Most new TNC's now 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 needed on the vehicle,
the TNC in this mode is no longer available for two-way comms.  If you run APRS 
mobile on a laptop, then see GPS.txt for ways to interface your TNC and GPS.

MORE READING:
 QST   - pg 92 July, pg 11 Aug 93 QST, pg 14 Dec 94, pg 68 Oct 95 about TNC's
 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).

EMAIL:  Look for an APRS point of contact for your state. Some states have 
APRS phone line BBS's for distributing local APRS maps.  Ohio is over 90 maps!
Also join us on the internet APRS Special Interest Group, aprssig@tapr.org.  
I post the latest on the Annapolis BBS at 410 280-2503 and from there it goes 
everywhere.  SEE DOWNLOAD.txt for a list of BBS's and INTERNET sites.

   INTERNET   @tapr.org in the  tapr/SIG/aprssig/UPLOADS directory
   WEB PAGEs  http://www.ccnet.com/~rwilkins/aprs.html   (California)
              http://www.mindspring.com/~rwf/aprs.html   (Atlanta)

APRS INTERNET SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP:  To subscribe, send a message to
`listserv@tapr.org` with the following line in the body of the message:

subscribe list full_name      Example: subscribe aprssig FirstName LastName

For info on APRS COORDINATORS for our area, see MAPS.TXT.
