i've had my eye on packet radio for some time. you need a license to use ham radios, and i didn't really know much about the test (used to require morse code!). i found books on the topic are full of acronyms and not well written. so i just put it off.
since i've gotten into mapping and gps, i've come up with a bunch of new geek projects. i've been looking for a way to track my car -- basically just for fun, let friends know where i am, whatever.
i considered tying my gps to my laptop or cell phone, and sending coordinates over sms or gmrs (i have the t-mobile internet service). also thought about getting a smartphone and using agps data. i don't want to pay monthly fees or rely on my phone too much -- though the smartphone offers mobility and convenience of a single device (there's a mappoint team member using their online web service doing this). i'm not even sure if t-mobile offers agps data.
then i came across aprs. *ofc* - other folks have been working on relaying and tracking coordinates for years now. aprs systems use vhf frequencies and repeaters. trucking companies have been using this or something like it for years. since gps data is minimal, it still works rather well over low bandwidth packet radio. after getting a license and radio set up, you're set. it's a one time expense on the gear. internet sites archive the data - so i don't have to build a receiver at home to collect/retrieve data.
so i'm back to getting a license. i want to get into packet radio, "autopatch" phone calls, satellite relays, etc anyway, so it's good -- it's time. i found a web site to take practice exams. i have a degree in physics, so i get most of the basic electronics questions "for free".
passed on the first shot. i realized it would easier than i thought. actually it's odd the exam has so many basic electronics questions, as most people starting out won't build their own radios -- they just need to know how to use them. i suppose fundamental knowledge of electronics isn't a bad idea.
the arrl web site was helpful, and i found exam times and location. jeez, what did people do before the internet? anyway, i took a few more practice exams to convince myself i was ready. didn't study much, but decided i could just retake it anyway. passed the first time and voila - got my license.
ham radios aren't what they used to be. with the advent the internet and other technologies, communicating with someone across the globe isn't the novelty it used to be. i'm hoping to volunteer during emergencies, search and rescue, help with communications. even that seems limited today. i'm guessing ham radios are used when *all else* fails. satellite phones are taking over. maybe it's better that way.
having said that, i'm excited i'm getting this all sorted out. perhaps eventually i'll get a general class license and try some long distant contacts around the world. for now, i'm ready to set up aprs.
after scouring the web for information, decided to pick up the kenwood d7a handheld radio. portable, with built in tnc for aprs. looks perfect for my needs.