[aprssig] Group Tracker Build Projects ?

[Cap Pennell]

Scott's OpenTracker "quantity pricing" is a good deal.  We had a local club
build 6 little "stand-alone, drop-in" trackers, for events.  Event
experience indicates 5 watts out of the radio into a quarter-wave antenna is
good.  Including a self-contained gell-cell battery is usually more
acceptable for "drop-in" than is _only_ a cigarette lighter outlet power
cord.  No-display GPS receivers are less likely to be accidentally
"borrowed" for other uses.

Using the routine North American mobile digipath WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 for the
trackers too means that even for remote events you only might need to add
one "fill-in" digi (only responding to WIDE1-1) overlooking the remote event
site.

Putting functional "tactical calls" into drop-in trackers at event time or
pre-event is difficult.  The tactical call identifiers keep changing.
Easier MYcall settings are CLUB-1 through CLUB-15 (like LPARC-1 through
LPARC-6, but not "functional" identifiers like SAG-1 through SAG-6).

Good luck!  Getting  a bunch of stations moving around and changing data is
the key to keeping folks interested in the event map.  More caches of
"stand-alone, drop-in" trackers available for quick deployment can help.
73, Cap KE6AFE

> -----Original Message-----
> From: aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org
> [mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org]On Behalf Of Scott Miller
> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 15:01 PM
> To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [aprssig] Group Tracker Build Projects ?
>
>
> > Does anyone know of any groups that have built several trackers for the
> > group
> > to use during events? Not the property of any one individual, but the
> > property
> > of the group?
>
> My first exposure to APRS, long ago, was a Mic-E build on Field
> Day.  I know
> of a couple of clubs that have done OpenTracker builds more recently, and
> I've sold 10-packs to ARES groups, but I can't be certain they
> were built as
> group property.  The Lincoln ARC has the best-document group build event
> here:  http://www.146760.net/clubphotos/open_tracker_build.html.
>
> >1) configurations used
>
> Depends a lot on what exactly you want to do with 'em.
>
> >2) bulk discounts available
>
> I can help there, at least.  =]  My standard deal is $230 for a
> kit 10-pack,
> or $23 each for quantities from 10 to 20.  Over 20, let me know
> and I'll be
> happy to negotiate something.  I'll have a few cases of kits with
> me at DCC
> this weekend (I'll be there around 9:00 tonight) and I'll be offering an
> additional discount there.
>
> >3) any tips on such an effort.
>
> Put some thought into the radios and packaging to be used.  It's easy to
> wind up with a mish-mash of different setups that are hard to support
> consistently.  Again, it all depends a lot on what you're after.  Do you
> want permanent vehicle mobiles, relocatable self-contained mobiles,
> man-portable trackers, or what?
>
> Scott, N1VG
> http://n1vg.net/opentracker