The MB7UBP I-gate continues to give good service using APRS4R, but I always knew that my location would limit my coverage quite dramatically due to rising ground to the North east and South west. I spent a little time using the DB0ANF web server to analyse my actual coverage and the picture shows that I really don’t cover west London at all.
A few minutes more using Radio Mobile shows exactly which bits I don’t cover - West London really is a blank spot!
But looking on the APRS.fi site, there are several stations who are regularly active only via the internet in this area, but not RF. I decided to write to one of those, M3SXA, asking him if he would consider becoming active as an RX only I-gate. A full two way gate would be preferable, but as a foundation licence holder Steve is unable to hold an NoV so working on the “something is better than nothing” basis this would be a real step forwards. Steve got back to me straight away and said yes – what a nice bloke! I am very grateful to Steve for offering his location for the good of the wider amateur community.
Steve has a nice radio set up, most of which will be wasted on APRS. I have therefore agreed to loan him a TNC, PMR set and PSU to get things going. Radio Mobile suggests that coverage will be a real improvement!
Steve has a nice radio set up, most of which will be wasted on APRS. I have therefore agreed to loan him a TNC, PMR set and PSU to get things going. Radio Mobile suggests that coverage will be a real improvement!
I’d better get on with sorting all the bits out…..
RSS Feed
