Essex Raynet

 

Emergency Communications Voluntary Service

G4BCV / G7ORE

APRS at Essex Raynet events

 

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is being utilised by Essex Raynet more frequently at events.  It is hoped that more members will embrace this mode of communication to allow greater flexibility to planners and controllers to deploy operators to specific positions.

The ability to transmit positional data which can be displayed on a PC.

 

An APRS system requires a GPS, a Packet radio transmission system on one end and a packet radio receiver and a computer on the other end of the system.

 

The first system (mobile operator either on foot or in a vehicle) acquires its location from a GPS receiver and encodes it in a standardized format as a string of text and transmits that information as a beacon. The transmission is NOT directed at any one station but rather beaconed out for all listening stations to hear and interpret.
 

 

 

The second system (control Station) receives the information and using APRS software (e.g. UI-View or APRSISCE), decodes the packet and, typically, places an icon on a map showing the transmitting station's location.

APRS activity may also be viewed online using one of the many APRS websites.  This screen shot is from aprs.fi .

This is a screen shot of APRSISCE.

How APRS used by Raynet

Operators and vehicles equipped with APRS can be tracked by the event control station.  This information can then be used to deploy the nearest operator to an incident.  At a charity event this may be to the site of a medical emergency or to a rest centre during a major incident.

At the St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk in June 2009, the event control were able to track the ambulance, support vehicle and sweeper.    This is a time-lapsed representation of what was achieved by using APRS.  St John Ambulance  St Helena support vehicle (Callsign)  Checkpoint operators  Sweeper

The more members who operate APRS,  will assist event controllers with decision making and planning.

For help establishing a fixed or mobile APRS station, contact your area controller.

More information to follow in due course.