Pinpoint APRS
Source: https://www.pinpointaprs.com/
What is Pinpoint APRS?
PinPoint is free software that allows you to visually track and communicate with people using Amateur Radio (”Ham Radio”) equipment. During an emergency, it can be used as a location aware tactical communications tool. It is mostly used as a tool for tracking people and assets on a map, although it is capable of so much more.
During, for instance, a weather spotting event, an incident commander could visually track where spotters are deployed in the field, and direct them away from approaching weather using an area map on a computer screen.
Requirements
- The latest release of PinPoint, which can be downloaded here
- A desktop or laptop computer running Windows Vista SP2, 7, 8, 10 or 11 with at least 4GB of RAM (better to have 8GB)
- Microsoft .NET framework 4.5
- A VHF (or UHF) transceiver + power supply + antenna
- A compatible TNC (Kantronics KPC/KAM, Kenwood APRS transceiver, serial or networked KISS TNC or TinyTrak4)
- Cables to hook everything together
- A valid Amateur Radio license from the FCC (or equivalent outside the USA)
- A GPS with serial port NMEA output
- Internet access to cache maps or to use APRS-IS servers for iGate purposes
Sample Setup from KF0MLB
I have been doing testing of APRS using a Surface Book 2 (running Windows 11) I rescued from e-cycling, my QRZ-1 radio, and I ordered a Digirig to be doing other testing.
Hardware
- Explorer QRZ-1
- Digirig Mobile with Baofeng adapter cables
- Surface Book 2
USB Sound Card
With the Digirig as a new USB sound source, connected to my Surface Book, I experimented and found I needed:
- Speaker and Microphone levels set to 40%
- Turn off all other options, such as AGC, Bass Boost, etc.
- Renamed the Microphone to "Digirig RX" and the Speaker to "Digirig TX"
- Changed the audio format under Advanced, from DVD Quality to CD Quality
- Somewhere I found the audio codecs are using 44100Hz, which matches CD Quality
TNC Setup
I decided to use the UZ7HO soundmodem software for APRS; I tried using Direwolf first, but it kept telling me the audio levels were too low and I couldn't get it to work. Since the Digirig will do PTT, I was able to configure soundmodem to connect to COM4 using RTS to control the PTT.
Radio Setup
I connected the radio to the Digirig using the Baofeng adapter cables, via the K1 ports on the side. I removed the Diamond antenna I like to carry, and using an adapter I connected my N9TAX slim jim antenna in the attic.
- Frequency: 144.390
- Volume: 25%
- Squelch: off
- Band: Narrow
Software Setup
I used the Pinpoint APRS software, setup to connect to the "network" TNC (uses the soundmodem locally), then added my callsign with an SSID and icon. After setting my position manually (since I don't have a GPS to hook up), I enabled the TNC connection and watched position calls coming in. I did Beacon (hit F1) my position a couple times just to confirm it did show up on aprs.fi later.
I then took a drive with my Anytone 878UVII, APRS and GPS enabled, and when I got home I was able to see my Anytone SSID driving path on the laptop map.