APRS Tracker wish list
 

I am going into a new round of product development, and if there is anything you would like to see in terms of products for aviation tracking, now is the time to speak up! New products currently on the boards include a Micro-Trak based on the TinyTrack 4 ( allows you to receive and display other APRS trackers on your compatible GPS display receiver) and an all-in-one transmit-only tracker for portable use.

A number of people have asked me about doing a high power tracker,(10 Watts) with a metal case, and a remote panel for display and control. On board voltage regulation would be included.

I can't guarantee that I will make everything you want, but maybe I can get a little closer.

Allen R. Lord
VHS Products

Allen- Well, you asked for it!

1. What would be involved in two-way text messaging? Rather than creating a unit with a complicated and expensive display and data input device (keyboard or equivalent), it would be really cool if the APRS transmitter could interface with an EFIS which would provide the display and data input capability. This would allow text messaging to and from any computer with an internet connection. I realize this would take some more development than just your box, but if we're talking a perfect world here, well,...:D

2. Emergency broadcast capability, activated by a single button, which continuously beacons at maximum rate, maximum power, with a preset mayday message requesting SAR deployment.

3. Other APRS aircraft targets on the EFIS.

I would like to see a transmitter only that had everything on the board and that could be mounted in a fiberglass wingtip. This would have the tinytrack4, 8 - 10W transmitter, Voltage Regulater so if can be powered directly from the 12 - 14V airplane power and a on board GPS module with the built in Antenna. This type of device would only need Power and Ground and some form of VHF Antenna.


Ray

Wishlist
 

Hi Allen,

You mentioned the capability to display other tracker locations on a compatible GPS. Any chance you could also receive TIS and ADS-B transmissions and display their locations on the compatible GPS as well?

"Any chance you could also receive TIS and ADS-B transmissions and display their locations on the compatible GPS as well? "

I have no idea of their communication formats. The display receivers can only generate a finite set of characters, so I am not sure what it would look like. I suppose its possible......Is this something that there would be a wider demand for?

The TT4 has a variety of analog and digital inputs. Generally, these inputs are read and transmitted as data in the APRS packet stream, not up-loaded to a GPS. I am going out of town ( Taking a Ropes Course for Instructors-It may possibly kill me, in which case forget about new products.....) But I will discuss the concept with Byon when I get back.

Allen

Keyboard in the Cockpit?
 

Allen, I don't know if you've spent any time in an RV cockpit before, but real estate is definitely at a premium, especially with all of the other goodies which are becoming available. I for one would not purchase a device which requires use of a keyboard while airborne. It's OK on the ground for doing firmware and software upgrades, but while flying? No way. Ditto for a dedicated LCD screen.

All things electronic in the cockpit are moving towards integration with a central controller (usually combines EFIS, engine monitor, moving map, weather display, etc. - BTW most have RS-232 capability). Devices which interface with this central controller have a definite advantage in my book. Think about it - the EFIS already has a small and eficient data input device appropriate for in-flight use, and a large, sunlight readable screen. Devices which duplicate this data input / display functionality and which serve no other purpose just take up valuable space IMHO. Devices which can serve double duty, triple duty, etc. are the way things are moving. There are other benefits too. If you eliminated the LCD and keyboad inputs, you could make the device smaller, lighter, and cheaper which might sell more units. CO Guardian's product is a good example. Their CO sensors plug into the EFIS and give you warnings (verbal, aural, and optical, if you want) of carbon monoxide levels in the cockpit.

I see the ideal APRS transciever as being fully controlled through the EFIS, and having the transceiver being remotely mounted. At most I might want a couple of LEDs on the panel for power status, transmit status, and the like. And as far as painting airborne APRS targets on the GPS, that's great. Even better would be front and center on the EFIS screen, in large scale, with declutter capability just like every other kind of data presented such as lightning strikes, NEXRAD, airspace, roads, rivers, waypoints, and NAVAIDS. A dedicated APRS screen or window might show incoming text messages (along with a unique "bing-bong" sound, or a sexy female voice saying "incoming APRS message, Mr. Studly Pilot Guy":D and allow a space for outgoing message composition "We've got some headwinds, and expect to be there a half hour late". This would represent a nicely integrated product with today (tomorrow's) avionics systems. But hey, that's just me!

TT4
 

Allen,
I have an onboard Pentium M computer that I use to run moving map software and to communicate with my engine data acq box, my electronic ignitions, etc. Could I use this computer to replace the LCD display and keyboard on the TT4? I have not purchased my APRS system yet because I was trying to figure out a way to use one radio for APRS and email. Sounds like you might have the answer. How does it work? Does it just switch freqs between APRS and airmail? Could it be easily controlled via my onboard computer. Will I need to write software to do it or is there software already available. Thanks.

This is just brainstorming
 

So do not take comments as viable, feasible or even a good idea at this point.

1) When I heard about your post (while airborne today), I though about having pre-canned messages that could go out on the transmission. Not sure how many or how they would be selected. Actually, the pre-canned messages was Rick's idea.

2) The issue of a keyboard came up but would a smallish numeric keypad like on a phone be adequate for short messages?

3) I am pondering a system and where it would be mounted. While in the wingtip offers some advantages if an antenna works ok, having access to the status LEDs and possible input/selection options may drive it to a panel mount or at least a panel access point/system.

This may be the numeric keypad, a small scrolling screen for the messages (input/output?) and a protected 'mayday" switch/toggle/???. May also require a USB port.

Do note that some of us do not have..and may never have..an EFIS system.

Range to Buddy
 

Allen,
These little airplanes we fly are hard to find if you're meeting in the air. I routinely hook up with Ron Lee from the Colorado Springs area and we spend lots of time and transmissions finding each other. If you're not within two miles, these airplanes are invisible.
What about the ability to filter incoming APRS transmissions based on a call sign (or other) and show me range, bearing, and delta altitude from my current location? The little 4x16 LCD display could handle that. Of course we'd want faster rate transmissions for that mode and that would require a switch to enable, but this might be useful. The display could normally show nearest airborne APRS and when you see the one you want, you could select and have it track only that one til reset. How tough would that be? To the community, how useful would something like that be?