PIC / Arduino for APRS Control

[KC5KIH]

Hello -

I have the Alinco TR-135 with the built in TNC and an outboard GPS. I am curious if anyone has built a contoller for APRS using a PIC or Arduino to control the radio. I have seen plans for the entire TNC that use an external PC, but what I hope to do is use the PIC as a substitute for the PC. Also seen a mini-tracker that has everything built-in and self contained. Since I already have the radio and GPS, I just need the controller piece.

Has anyone attempted to use a PIC for just APRS control as a substitute for the PC?

I'm a little new in the APRS area, so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe
KC5KIH

[KB4QAA]

Take a look at the minitrackers from Byonics.com http://www.byonics.com/ They are very basic circuits using one PIC, as I recall. 16F628 (I just peeked at one I have on the shelf, a Microtracker 8000).

The functions are pretty straightforward from both a programing and electrical point. Should be a fun project; keep us updated.

bill

[WA4OTD]

As a CW operator, being able to program a pic or use Arduino is probably more important today than knowing CW. I have used Arduino at work for a project, interesting tool. I have a software engineer that does almost all of my coding, but general knowledge of knowing how to code PICs would be so useful to hams.

[AB9LZ]

As a CW operator, being able to program a pic or use Arduino is probably more important today than knowing CW. I have used Arduino at work for a project, interesting tool. I have a software engineer that does almost all of my coding, but general knowledge of knowing how to code PICs would be so useful to hams.

There are both BASIC and C compilers available for the PIC, so coding them is pretty easy. Also, there is plenty of sample source (along with free development environments) out there to get you started. The classic DDS vfo code is available in C, and is fairly easy to get it up and running with a variety of chips.

73 m/4

[KC5KIH]

Good info and thank you for the comments. If anything it will be fun to learn about these controllers and how to use them.