Data Station Hardware Setup Examples
Four data stations run almost continuously. Three of these are AFSK stations that run on 1200 baud. One is a wi-fi link with a hi-gain antenna.
1. A 2 meter radio with a Raspberry Pi running both a BPQ BBS and an APRS station. This station is also capable of sending and receiving email from the internet via radio using the WINMOR system. The red card mounted on the Raspi is a version of TNC-X (KISS TNC) that controls packets for the BBS:
The BBS/Winlink station can be found: Here. Choose the Packet button at the top of the map, and zoom into 29 Palms, CA using the zoom in the low-right corner of the map.
2. A 2 meter radio (with a defective transmitter) is a receive only radio with a TT4 TNC that listens for APRS packets and posts them to the internet:
Some of the posted packets from this APRS station can be found: Here.
3. This is a radio that is running a different port (port #4), also from the BPQ BBS. This is the radio and KISS TNC that is running on 145.050 in 29 Palms. This station is able to link to packet stations on BGBEAR and BEARMT. Once connected to these stations, users can then connect to POTOSI, just outside of Las Vegas for a variety of packet stations there. The Raspberry Pi in the back ground contains the webserver that is providing the webpage that you are currently viewing.
4. This is an old Linksys WRT54GL router that has been reflashed with BBHN Firmware. Together with a TP-Link hi-gain antenna, this is now working as a mesh node in a point to multi-point system. The Raspberry Pi beside the router is working as a file server and webserver over a BBHN network:
5. Portable Rackbox.
This is a portable station that I talk on every day. It hosts both an HF station on the left (Kenwood TS-480HX) with a manual tuner and a dual band VHF/UHF station on the right (Kenwood TM-710G). For data, there is a Signalink for sound card modes that can connect to either radio. You may notice that the VHF radio is installed with the rear of the radio facing outward to allow acces to data ports. Also, there is a TNC imbedded in the Kenwood TM-710G that is usable for AFSK packets for both APRS and packet modes. There are also (6) 7 amp hour batteries with a charge controller for a short amount of backup power. In between the two microphones, there is a white USB cable that connect the Signalink to a computer as well as a black 6 pin cable that can connect the Signalink to either radio. I did mention that this box is portable, however, that is not to be confused with being lightweight.
6. VHF antennas.
These are two of the VHF antennas that are used with the 2 meter radios. This variant of a J-Pole is called the Super J-Pole with the second element and tuning stubs.
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