[aprssig] Setting up a digi

[J. Lance Cotton]

on 9/14/2007 8:51 AM Robert Rochte said the following:
>  
> I'm looking for suggestions on how to set up an inexpensive digi in our
> school building.  What I really want to do is offer a radio-to-Internet
> gateway for APRS traffic - I probably have the terminology wrong (maybe
> that's not really a digi), but hopefully the idea is clear... 
>  
> Keeping in mind my almost non-existent budget, how can I do this
> on-the-cheap? 
>  
> I can easily supply a Linux-based server for this project and connect it
> to our network (which connects to the Inet via a dedicated T1).  What
> about the radio and antenna side?  The antenna could go in our main
> building, above the fourth floor - would a simple wire J-pole or
> something similar work, since it's already up in the air?  And what
> about an inexpensive radio?  Specific software that I need on the Linux
> box?

You're looking to put up an IGate, not necessarily a digi(peater).

For the software side, check out JavAPRSsrvr,
http://www.aprs-is.net/javAPRSSrvr/

For hardware, any radio would be relatively functional, especially for the
mostly-receive activity of an I-Gate. Any old HT will do.

For a TNC with JavAPRSsrvr, anything that supports KISS will do. The
OpenTracker (OT1+) has moderate decode abilities and there is a KISS-mode
firmware that will turn this $30 tracker into a limited KISS TNC.

The Tracker2 (OT2) is getting closer to being really for sale, I think. It's
going to be in the $85 range and will be a full-featured TNC that can also
digipeat if you need it to.

-Lance KJ5O

-- 
J. Lance Cotton, KJ5O
joe at lightningflash.net
http://kj5o.lightningflash.net
Three Step Plan: 1. Take over the world. 2. Get a lot of cookies. 3. Eat the
cookies.