DF.TXT            USING APRS FOR DIRECTION FINDING
===========================================================================
Document version: 8.4.3
Document dated:   15 Jul 1999
Author(s):        Bob Bruninga, WB4APR <bruninga@nadn.navy.mil>
ABSTRACT
DF.TXT            How to use APRS for direction finding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


OVERVIEW:  APRS NOT ONLY PLOTS BEAM HEADINGS (Both Manual and DOPPLER)
BUT IT ALSO HAS TWO METHODS FOR TRANSMITTER LOCATION USING ONLY OMNI
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL STRENGTH CONTOURS!  Since ANYONE can use the OMNI
techniques, they are presented first, followed by the classical BEAM
heading triangulation, followed by details of the automatic serial
interfaces to the Doppler equipment.

     The first omni technique displays overlaping circular signal strength
contours on the map based on signal reports from MULTIPLE reporting
stations. This method is fully capable of locating a jammer just by
plotting voice reports from anyone monitoring the jammer. The second omni
technique plots lines of bearing based on a SINGLE moving omni station
(Aircraft or vehicle) plotting three or more FADE points on his map.  This
is for single person operations.


OMNI-DIRECTION FINDING:

APRS incorporates a whole new aspect to direction finding by permitting
the plotting of signal strength contours.  THIS PERMITS STATIONS WITH ONLY
OMNI ANTENNAS TO PARTICIPATE AND PROVIDE VALUABLE INFO!  This is possible
since APRS has a line-of-sight Power-Height-Gain (PHG) reporting and
display format which it can use to draw range circles around each station 
showing his relative communication range.  For stations not reporting the 
PHG format they are assumed to have the default parameters of 10 Watts, 20 
feet HAAT, and a 3 dB antenna.  

APRS plots a map of range circles around all stations.  Where two circles
intersect or overlap, direct communications are possible.  This PHG plot
is an ideal tool for setting up ANY radio network WHETHER OR NOT APRS or
PACKET is being used!

DFING WITH OMNI SIGNAL STRENGTH REPORTS:  By modifying these PHG equations
for plotting received signal strengths, a weak signal is drawn as a larger
circle of probability than a very strong circle.   I chose a scale of 0 to
9 for relative signal strength indication.  These signal strength numbers
will be plotted as circles from a dark gray up to a bright red, with the
radius of the circle decreasing with stronger signals.  A signal strength
of 0 represents NOTHING HEARD and is plotted last as dark gray on top of
everything else. They clearly show where the transmitting station is NOT.

     Since the PC can only overlap circles, the user should visualize all
the overlapping colors and not just the brightest ones on top.  The probable
location of the transmiter will be in the area of the most concentrated
intersections of circles.  Do not be fooled by the brighter circles nor
the CENTERS of any circles.  The location of the hidden transmitter will
never be at the center of a circle.  THE LOCATION OF THE HIDDEN TRANSMITTER
IS ALWAYS NEAR THE EDGES.  If it was near the center, then that station
would have reported a stronger signal, and the circle would be brighter
and smaller!  Load the DF-OMNI.BK file to see our first omni-df attempt
and see the section below about what you will see in that file.


OMNI-DF COMMAND SUMMARY:  The following list sumarizes all of the commands
used in performing direction finding both OMNI and with BEAMS.  Please note
that stations with BEAMS should NOT input OMNI signal strength readings,
since their gain will upset the consistency of the OMNI plots.  Beam stations
should always enter their BEAM HEADINGS.


INPUT-DF - Enter either a beam heading or a signal report.  Enter "0" for
      an OMNI signal strength report.   (360 means North, not 0.)

INPUT-ADDobj - Add voice DF reports to the map.  Select the DF station 
      symbol and you will be prompted for the BeamHeading or "0" for OMNI.

INPUT-MY-HEADING - The heading of your vehicle since GPS data is useless
      when you are stopped.

INPUT-PwrHtGain - Not necessarily used for DF, but shows your radio range.

INPUT-SAVEpos - Used by mobiles to mark the map with your current posit
      and DF bearing as an object so that the fix remains on the map for
      future reference.

INPUT-UPLINKpos - Same as SAVE, but the FIX object is marked for uplinking.

MAPS-PLOT-DF - This command is used to plot the OMNI-DF profiles.

MAPS-PLOT-HEARD - Plots only stations that have HEARD the fox.
                  (for monochrome displays)

MAPS-PLOT-NOTheard - Plots only stations that have NOT HEARD the fox.
                  (for monichrome screens)

MAPS-PLOT-PwrHtGain - Plots Power-Height-Gain range rings around all stns.

MAPS-PLOT-RngRngs - Plots range/Bearing to the cursor.


OMNI-DF EXAMPLE:  The file DF-OMNI.BK is a snapshot of my first Omni-DF  
attempt on a Sunday afternoon foxhunt.  I simply called around on various
2m repeaters in the area and asked stations to listen for the fox.  It
turns out that all but one other report were from mobiles.  I added these
stations to the map using the INPUT-ADD command.  To see the result, do a
FILES-LOAD of DF-OMNI.BK and hit the MAPS-PLOTS-DF command.

   First, notice that APRS blacks out the areas where the fox is NOT
based on the null reports.  You will always get far more NULL reports
than HEARD reports.  These are very VALUABLE!!!  because there are more
of them and they instantly eliminate most of the surrounding area!  With
these first 6 null reports, I knew instantly that the fox was not to the
west, south, or east of Baltimore.  It took the mobile fox-hunters 
another 45 minutes to figure this out!
  
    Second, notice the offset circle of KA3DZZ.  This is because he 
reported that he was west of a ridge and didn't hear as well to the 
east.  The most interesting report was from W3PWF who said it was a very
strong signal and he was much further than either of the nearby mobiles that
reported weak signals.  ALthough he was in his driveway, he had almost 200
feet of height above average terain, but could not quantify it at the time.
This points out how tricky it will be to use the OMNI-DF plots.  Do NOT
rely on any one report.  You must visually take it all in.  His report is
correct, and although he has a large horizon, APRS draws his pink circle
smaller to show that the FOX could be closer to him.  Remember to look at 
the edge of his circle, not the center.

        APRS draws the NOT-HEARD or Black "0" plots last since they are
POSITIVE report that the FOX is NOT within their range. 

YOU MUST REMEMBER TO LOOK AT THE EDGES OF ALL CIRCLES, NOT THE CENTERS!
THE FOX SHOULD BE NEAR THE LOCATION WHERE THE EDGES OF MOST CIRCLES
INTERSECT OR OVERLAP.

     This was just my first test, and unplanned.  Notice that with all of
the stations that we rounded up, only 4 of 13 even heard the FOX at all.
For serious work, each station reporting should have a very good idea of
his Height above average terrain and general geographic horizon.  If each
of those stations was also watching the APRS plots unfold, they could have
modified their reports to be more meaningful!


RECOMMENDED OMNI-DF PROCEDURE:  When the APRS net is alerted to a FOX
or hidden transmitter, each APRS station should listen on the reported
frequency and enter his signal strength.  Next each APRS operator
should go onto the local voice repeaters and ask for OMNI-SIGNAL strengths
from any other fixed or mobile stations.  The APRS operators use the INPUT-
ADD command to add these stations to the map.  NEGATIVE reports are VERY
valuable too!  By having one APRS operator listening on EACH local voice
repeater, and soliciting reports, the maximum number of reports can be
gathered with a minimum amount of chatter.  Be sure to get the station's
reported signal strength, location, Antenna height-ABOVE-AVERAGE-
TERRAIN (not sea level or above ground) and any offset in his horizon.  It
is amazing how many people do NOT understand ANTENNA HEIGHT.  Be  conser-
vative.  Use the following scale:

   0   No signal detected what-so-ever
   1   Detectible signal (Maybe)
   2   Detectible signal (certain but not copyable)
   3   Weak signal marginally readable
   4   Noisy but copyable
   5   Some noise but easy to copy
   6   Good signal with detectible noise
   7   Near Full-quieting signal
   8   Dead Full-quieting signal no noise detectible
   9   Extremely strong signal "pins the meter"

Remember, stations DO NOT NEED TO BE APRS stations to participate!
Any voice report can be entered on the map by any other APRS station using
the INPUT-ADD command and selecting the DF symbol type.  For more
information on the Power-Height-Gain formats, see the DIGIs.txt and
PROTOCOL.txt files.

PLOTTING DETAILS FOR OMNI-DF CIRCELS;  I used the radio horizon forumla
for the radius of the circles, modified by the signal strength value. 
Due to fading and multipath, mobiles have HALF the range of Fixed 
stations.  So new in APRS852, the MPP command now shows the Mobile
range by default, and MPF shows the range for Fixed stations.

Here is the equation for the four DFSshgd or PHGphgd characters.

   P = 10 / s        For Power plots, P = p;  For DFS, P is INVERSLY
                     proportional to signal strength s.
   H = 10 * 2 ^ h    Convert character to power in Watts
   G = 10 ^ (g / 10) Convert from dB
   D = 45 * VAL(d)   Convert to degrees.  If D is not zero, then the circle
                     is offset in the indicated direction by 1/3rd radius
  
   R = SQR(2 * H * SQR((P / 10) * (G / 2)))   range modified by adding
                     SQR(P/10 *G/2) to make it unity at 10 watts and 3 dB
    
   R = R * .85  Present fudge factor


EQUAL FADE CIRCLE TECHNIQUE FOR MOBILE OMNI DFING:

     This method has been used for years by Airborne search and rescue teams
to locate downed aircraft based on the location of points where the signal is
just detectable.  The advantage of this technique is that NO BEARING info
and NO SIGNAL STRENGTH info is required.  The key factor, is that ALL points
where the signal fades to zero are located on the edge of a large circle with
the hidden transmitter at the center.  By simply flying (driving) through the
area of the hidden transmitter and plotting at least three points where the
signal fades out, you can identify the circle and therefore the location of
the transmitter.  For aircraft searches, this technique can be repeated at
lower and lower altitudes to repeatedly reduce the size of the circle and
therefore increase the accuracy.  For ground based searches, an attenuator
or tighter squelch can be used to reduce the size of the circle for successive
runs.

     The only assumption in this process, is that the radiation pattern
from the transmitter is relatively omnidirectional.  See the following
figure to see how the data is plotted.  Between each pair of fade points, 
a line is computed and then a line of bearing is drawn perpendicular
between the two points.  The intersection of these lines-of-bearing give the
location of the transmitter.  The sketch below is symetrical due to the
limitations of the angle of the slash characters used in drawing it, but the
technique does work no matter where the flight paths intersect the circle!

  Entry               .   .   .  Fade Circle
Flight path      .                 .
        \     .                    *  .
          \ .       *           *       .  / Exit flight path
          A.\          *     *          D/
           .  \           T            / .
           .    \      *     *       /   .
            .     \ *           *  /    .
              .  *  \            / *  .
              *  .    \        /    . *
           *          . \ . C/.          * Perpendicular
                        B \/               lines of bearing
                         /  \
                        |    |
                         \__/ oops, nothing heard,
                              turn the other way!

    APRS implements this algorithm.  No matter what pattern you drive
(or fly), simply drive until you first aquire the signal and hit the F5 
key.  Then continue driving in the same general direction until you just
lose the signal.  At this point hit F5 again.  APRS will then compute a 
line of bearing midway and perpendicular to those two points.  This line 
of bearing is represented by the asterixed lines above.  Turn and choose 
a new direction to drive until you re-aquire the signal and do the same 
process again.  Hit F5 on aquisition and hit F5 again when the signal 
fades.  When APRS plots this second line of bearing,  you will have two 
intersecting lines of bearing that roughly indicate the location of the 
transmitter.  Drive to that indicated point and insert enough attenuation 
in your antenna to make the signal weak enough to do the whole process 
again but with a much smaller FADE circle.  This added attenuation is 
similar to aircraft reducing altitude to reduce the fade circle for each 
additional run.

    Note that each time you press the F5 key to mark a fade point on the map,
APRS asks you if this is a NEW CONFIGURATION or not.  This is important,
because APRS should use only the points made by the same station and in the
same configuration for each plot.  To keep track of these, APRS labels each
new fade point with your callsign suffix in parentheses and then a letter
for the given configuration and then a sequential number.  Whenever the
MAPS-PLOTS-FADE commmand is given, APRS only computes bisectors and bearing
lines from each group of points from the same station, and from the same
configuration group (letter).  So, for any given configuration (antenna and
attenuation combination) just hit return at the configuration prompt.  When
either the antenna or attenuation are changed, then answer Yes for the first
point in the new configuration.

NUMBER OF POINTS:  You need three points before APRS can compute and display
the 3 intersecting lines.  Four points will generate SIX lines and the
map will be quite messy.  Five points will genereate TWELVE lines and it
will be impossible to make ANY sense out of the mess.  You are best off
limiting to THREE Fade points.  Then go to the probable area, reduce
antenna gain by 30 db and do it again with a NEW configuration...

TIP!  To reduce map clutter, after each 3 line fix, put an object on the
map to remember that point and DELETE the fade-points involved in that
fix.  Then do it again with more attenuation.  This way there will not 
be so many lines on the map...

NOTE!   It is very important to understand that this is just a technique.
The operator MUST have experience in DFing and must thoroughly appreciate
the vagaries of propogation and antenna height-gain.  Just pressing F5 does
NOT find the FOX!  Give me a violin and it will NOT make music!  Garbage in
implies garbage out! ETC.  What I am saying, is to make sure that each time
you are ready to mark a new fade point, consider the average terrain and be
sure you are in a comparable propogation position.  Obviously, if you have
some kind of S-meter, you do NOT have to drive all the way to a fade
condition, but just to a measureable and repeatable signal strength level.
As long as you press F5 at multiple points of equal signal strength, the
fade technique will work.


FURTHER DETAILS:  When you press the F5 key for manual reports, APRS creates
a Fade marker at the location of the cursor.  If you are GPS equipped, you
can instantly move the cursor to your current location by simply pressing
the Go key.  For each press of F5, a new fade spot is created.  Once APRS
has two or more of these locations, it can plot the lines of bearing.  Use
the MAPS-PLOT-FADE command to display the plot of all of the lines of
bearing.


PLEASE NOTE!  The difference between this technique and the OMNI-DF function
in APRS, is that the FADE technique takes advantage of a SINGLE MOBILE
to locate the edge of the FADE circle.  FIXED stations can NOT provide ANY
useful information for the FADE circle technique because their stations
are not identical and its a one in a million chance that their fixed 
location is on the fade circle anyway.  In summary, the FADE circle is 
for single mobile OMNI fox hunters using the SAME station at MULTIPLE 
locations, wheras the OMNI-DF capability plots signal strength contours 
for MULTIPLE NON comparable stations.


*****************************************************************************


CLASSICAL APRS DIRECTION FINDING WITH BEAM HEADINGS AND/OR DOPPLER DF UNITS


     APRS is an excellent tool for instantly plotting and diseminating DF
bearing information using a variety of techniques:

     MANUAL APRS    - Any APRS station simply selects the INPUT-DF command
                      and enters his beam heading

     MANUAL OTHER   - Any APRS station can take voice reports from other
                      stations, and place them as DF reporting OBJECTS on
                      his APRS map

     AUTODF UNITS   - Connecting a second COM port to the serial output
                      of these units:

                      Doppler Systems Inc  (300 baud)
                      N7LUE interface  (2400 baud)
                      KA4IIA Doppler unit (4800 baud)
                      Agrelo DFjr (4800 baud)

DF DEMONSTRATIONS:  To see the results of manual DF bearings in a Baltimore
foxhunt, FILE-LOAD the FOXDF.BK file.  You will see the multiple lines of
bearing all converging to within 1/2 mile of the final location of the Fox.
Notice that none of our stations were any closer than 15 miles away and more
than half of our DF stations were more than 25 miles away!  

     To see what the AUTOmatic Doppler DF interface looks like, zoom into
Phoenix, Arizona and FILE-REPLAY the DF-AUTO.HST file.  You will see N7LUE's
DF unit make multiple hits on three local repeaters in the area.  If you are
doing a DF exercise from a fixed location, you can enable APRS to save all
DF reports in a track history file by setting the CONTROLS-POSFIL to off.
With the Position Filter off, APRS will save every DF posit to the track
history file.  If you are moving, APRS saves all posits anyway.  To see
my first Doppler mobile event, replay DF-FOX2.DF.

CAUTION:  APRS does not do spherical geometry, it assumes a flat earth.
For this reason, APRS should not be used for HF DFing beyond about 250
miles.  This is contrary to the MAPS-PLOTS-RNGRNGS command which does 
use great circle calculations.  Also to minimize out-of-area confusion,
APRS marks the LENGTH of the bearing lines to be only equal to the
current MAP scale.  If you are DFing on a 4 mile map, then the bearing
lines will only be 4 miles long.  etc...


MANUAL APRS STATION DF REPORT:  Each APRS station can include a beamheading
in his position report by using the INPUT-DF command.  This bearing will 
normally time out after 2 hours to eliminate any confusion caused by 
old/stale reports.  A solid yellow line indicates an excellent line of 
bearing, and a more dotted line indicates less and less quality.  You can 
use the MAPS-PLOTS-RINGS command to superimpose range rings on the screen 
around the map center for estimating distances.  If you are running the WX 
station option, however, your DF bearing report will be overwritten as 
soon as your next WX report comes in.

NON PACKET DF REPORTS:  Even for non APRS stations, their lines of bearing
can be quickly entered by any APRS station using the INPUT-ADD command. 
In this case, simply select the DF symbol, enter a beam heading, and enter
a quality between 1 and 8, where 8 is best.  These reports will NOT
timeout, however, and should be killed after use.


AUTOMATIC INTERFACE TO DOPPLER SYSTEMS INC UNITS:

    These units have an optional serial data output that outputs a three
digit azimuth once per second at 300 baud.  Just hook it up to APRS and
watch the DF bearings plotted on the map and transmitted to other users
on frequency.  BE SURE TO SELECT 300 BAUD to match the DSI output. 
Include an on/off push button so that garbage reports are not sent to the
APRS computer.

AUTOMATIC INTERFACE TO THE AGRELO DFjunior:

    Designed from the ground up to be APRS compatible, it includes data  
processing so that erroneous readings are significantly reduced from 
other doppler designs.  Has both automatic and manual modes.  Operates 
at 4800 baud for ease of combining with GPS data using their multi-port 
adapter.  In AUTO mode, the DFjr outputs a GPS posit and DF bearing at 
a fixed rate.  In manual, data is only passed to APRS when the user presses 
a button.  The multi-port adapter combines your TNC, DFjr and GPS data
all into the same PC COMM port.  Using this adapter, configure APRS for 
one port TNC operation (even if you are not using packet), then use alt-
SETUP-DF menu to select the DFjr.  This tells APRS to watch for DF data 
on the TNC comm port.  THen select the GPS-SPM mode under the alt-S-GPS- 
MODES menu so that APRS will also parse GPS data on the TNC port.   Even 
if you normally run HSP mode with other TNC's, your HSP adapter is not 
being used.  The DFjr is doing the switching so SPM mode should be 
selected.  (If you have the dual port Pico-TNC, however, then you must 
select HSP.)  The multi-port adapter normally passes TNC data straight 
through to the PC.  But when the DFjr outputs a report, it sends out a 
POSIT followed by a DF report which are combined with the TNC data at 
the COMM port.


AUTOMATIC DOPPLER DF UNIT INTERFACE FOR ALL MULTI-LED DF UNITS:

     Randy, KA7UUS and Bob N7LUE developed a 2400 baud serial interface to
the popular ROANOKE Doppler DF unit (or any other DF unit that drives an
LED display).  They added a divide by N counter and UART to produce a single
ASCII character 8 times a second or so.  Each character is a letter from
@,A,B,.. ,O indicating the azimuth of the 16 LEDS.  For some DF units that
rotate counterclockwise, the board will optionally use lower case letters
for the opposite rotation.  A VOX circuit disables data output when there
is no DF signal, and an optional PTT circuit can be used to disable the DF
unit when ever a co-located TNC transmits the resulting DF data.  This last
circuit was necessary to prevent the DF unit from generating false bearings
whenever the packet TNC transmitted!

     APRS accumulates, averages and calculates the deviation of these samples.
It then plots a bearing line in the average direction and shows the variance
of the data by the "dottedness" of the line.  A solid line is a solid
non-varying signal, whereas a very dotted line, had a lot of variance in the
reports.  Since APRS averages the data and computes the deviation and
average to 1 degree, the fact that the DF unit is only reporting in 16ths
of the compass is averaged out.  Anyone who has watched a doppler DF unit in
action, understands that the signal bounces everywhere due to reflections
and the distribution of the data is broad enough that the quantization of the
raw data to 4 bits is insignificant.  The add-on N7LUE interfce is no longer
available but the new KA4IIA unit is.   See below.


REMOTE DF SITE:   ALthough any APRS site with the DF interface can be an
automatic DF station, a remote DF station only needs a remote controllable
scanner, the DF unit with serial interface, and a TNC and packet radio. 
By setting the TNC in the UNPROTO CONVERSE mode, it will simply packetize
the data out of the DF unit periodically for display on all APRS stations
on the network!  A suggested arrangement is as follows:

  A.  Take the 8 characters per second data from the DF unit and connect
them to the serial data input of the TNC.  Take the PTT output of the TNC
and connect it to the optional PTT-SUPPRESS input of the N7LUE interface
to prevent the DF unit from generating erroneous data when the TNC transmits
(and overloads the DF unit).

  B.  Set the TNC packet length PACLEN to 75.  On a continuous signal, then,
the TNC will transmit once every 10 seconds after it has accumulated a full
packet of 75 characters.  Each transmission will contain the last 75 samples
from the DF unit.

  C.  So that APRS knows the location of the remote DF unit and that it is
a DF station, the BText of the DF TNC must contain the LAT/LONG and the APRS
DF symbol character (\):     BT !3856.55N/07629.11W\DF station...

  D.  APRS will then plot a new bearing line for each DF packet received.

  E.  For short FOX transmissions, the TNC should have PACTIME set to AFTER
10 (1 sec) and CPACTIME to ON.  The PACTIME setting was chosen relatively
short so that a packet is transmitted at the end of each FOX transmission,
but before another station keys up.

  F.  To prevent all DF sites from keying up at once at the end of the FOX
transmission, each automatic DF site must have a differnet value of DWait.
Each additional site should have an additional 100 ms.

   With the design noted above, each DF site will transmit a maximum of one
packet every 10 seconds, or one packet for every short transmission of the
fox.  With the parameters chosen above for 5 stations, the network would be
pretty well saturated just handling the data from all sites.  This is fine
for intensive operations in search of a FOX or jammer, but a more routine
level of operation could be realized by reducing the data rate from the the
DF unit from 8 to 4 characters per second or less.  This would result in
only one packet report every 20 seconds or more which might be more suitable.
At these high data rates, and since a good DF site should have good altitude,
digipeater paths for routing the data should be avoided.


AUTOMATIC REMOTE SITE DF NETWORK CONTROL:

Since the automatic DF interface between a TNC and a DF unit will generate a
lot of packets, there has to be some means for remotely turning it on and
off.  I consider that beyond the realm of APRS, since for a remote DF site,
there must already be some kind of control link in place in order to command
the DF receiver what frequency to listen to.  If such a link already exists,
then the capability is probably also there for enabling or diasabling the
DF/TNC interface.

     In the absence of such a control link, however, a very simple remote
control and receiver command link can be derived from the TNC itself!  First,
take the voltage from the CONECTED LED and use it to enable the DF unit
output to the TNC input (some TNC's bring this signal out on one of the RS-
232 pins).  This way, the automatic reporting will begin as soon as the DF
Net Control station connects to the TNC.  This station can also then send
tuning commands via the TNC to the radio serial port!  Even tho there is a
connected link between the control operator and the DF station, APRS will
still monitor all data from the remote site as long as CONTROLS-OTHER is
selected.  Or the DF control station can temporarily make his TNC callsign
be DFNET which APRS will always monitor.  This is legal, as long as he
also places his true call in his BText once every 10 minutes.

DF NET CONTROL OPERATION:    The scenario for this kind of operation, would
be for the network SYSOP to use a dumb terminal in the multi-stream connect
mode to connect in turn to each of the remote sites.  Once each of these
connections is established, each DF station begins sending DF data as long as
the connection is in place.  To disable a site, the SYSOP simply disconnects
from that station.  The only disadvantage of this means of control is the
additional QRM on frequency from all the ACKs required from the SYSOP TNC for
every DF packet transmitted.   Having an alternate means of control, avoids
this CONNECTED environment but adds complexity.  If you are ready to
implement automatic remote site DF stations contact me so we can both make
sure it works right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


MOBILE APRS DIRECTION FINDING

    APRS is the ideal tool for integrating together all of the DF equipment
in modern DFing, the Doppler DF, the GPS, and the TNC packet link.  If you
have a dual serial port computer, the one port is connected to the TNC (if
used), and a GPS, using the Hardware Single Port (HSP) switch.  The second
COMM port is dedicated to the DF unit.  With this arrangement, the GPS
provides continuous data on the location of the vehicle and the TNC provides
the communication links to the APRS DFing network.  The DF unit provides the
DF data whenever the FOX transmits.  Using the GPS heading, APRS will do an
automatic conversion from the relative bearings from the DF unit to TRUE.
With this arrangement, the mobile DF unit will be seen in the APRS network,
moving along and providing constant bearings to the hidden transmitter.
In practicality, however, there are problems in this plug-and-play scenario.

  1)  First, The heading information from the GPS is ONLY ACCURATE, IF
  THE VEHICLE IS MOVING!   Therefore, APRS only uses the LAST Heading for
  which the vehicle velocity was over 5 MPH.  To help, the F8 key will
  override the normal HSP timer and let you force an immediate GPS fix.
  If you are stopped, and have a compass, enter your heading using the
  INPUT-HEADING command.  (if using magnetic, be sure to set the alt-SETUP
  OTHER-MAG-VAR to the variation in your area and save your CONFIG file.)

  2)  Sometimes the GPS is not putting out good and, more often, the DF
  unit is putting out GARBAGE!  We are beginning to conclude that only
  a Human operator can really figure out when the data is good and
  when to ignore it!  To avoid processing and transmitting BAD data, you
  should place a Push button in the DF data line and only press it when
  data is valid.  See the DFSP DF Single Port Mode description.

  3)  Whenever the TNC transmits APRS DF or position data, it totally
  garbles the DF unit!   There are two solutions:

      a) Same as item 2 above!
     
      b) For fully automatic sites, the DF unit must have a MUTE circuit
      connected to the TNC PTT line so the the DF is DISABLED whenever
      the TNC transmits.  Diode ORing of the PTT leads of every transmitter
      at the site should be conisdered.  The next N7LUE interface will have
      this MUTE included.

  4)  Most laptop computers only have one usable COMM port!


DIRECTION FINDING IN DF SINGLE PORT MODE!

   Since we have just about concluded that you need a manual push button
for the operator anway (thanks Joe Moel, K0OV), it becomes trivial for
us to add the DF serial data to the existing shared GPS/TNC/HSP serial
port.  The following schematic shows how the serial data from all three
devices is switched and how a second pair of contacts is used to alert
APRS, when the DF data is connected.

                                 
                                      DF PUSH           LAPTOP
            ----------                BUTTON            SERIAL
TNC DATA >--|  HSP   |                                   PORT
            |        |--------------------*
GPS DATA >--| SWITCH |                    |
            --*-------                   ----------*----------> RXD
              |                  
              |                           |
DF DATA  >--------------------------------*
              _
              ^ D1                       ----------*
              |       4.7 k                        |
TNC DSR  >-----------/\/\/\/--*           |      -----
              |               |           |      /////
              |               |           |                    
TNC DTR  >----*---->|---------*-----------*-------------------> DSR
    RTS            D2
         
   
     The second pole of the DPDT push button not only grounds the DSR
input to tell APRS to process DF data on the serial port but also grounds
the TNC DTR (RTS) input so that the TNC holds off any packet data until 
after the DF switch is released.  Notice that two diodes,
D1 and D2 isolate the TNC DTR (RTS) line so that either the HSP or
the DFSP can pull the line to ground without affecting the other.  Some 
TNC's (PACCOMM) use the RTS line instead of the DTR line for holding off
TNC data,  so check your TNC manual.  The TNC DSR line is only used to 
provide a source of +V.  APRS distinguishes between the TNC and GPS data 
using the normal HSP logic.  Remember to provide the DSR or other source 
of +V for the HSP circuit.

     This DFSP circuit can be built within its own back-to-back DB-9
connectors with a pigtail to the hand-held push button.  This circuit
can then be inserted between the HSP and the Laptop at any time and
the HSP can still be used with or without the DF circuit.  Or, since
it is so trivial, just wire it permanently to your existing HSP device.

CAUTION:  DO not enter DFSP mode with N7LUE enabled if you do not have
the DSR pin held high, or the system will appear to lock-up while
waiting for DF data...

NOTE:  THE N7LUE DOPPLER INTERFACE MUST BE MODIFIED FOR 4800 BAUD vice   
THE PRESENT 2400 BAUD IN ORDER FOR DFSP to WORK at the same baud rate
as the GPS and TNC.   This is easy to do by cutting a trace and adding
a jumper so that pin 14 of the baud rate chip U3 is held high, and pin
15 is grounded.  Similarly, you must modify the DSI unit from 300 baud 
to 4800 baud.

CONFIGURATIOIN:  APRS should be in the normal HSP mode.  Then select the
alt-SETUP-OTHER-DFSP mode.  This enables the sensing of the DSR line to
indicate that APRS should begin DF processing.  You can tell that DFSP
is enabled on the CONTROLS panel (tab key) by seeing DFS in the left
window.  the DFSP command toggles the mode on and off.  It can be saved
in a config file.

OPERATION:  When you press the DF button, APRS begins a 5 second dead time
during which it is collecting DF data for averaging.  At the end of this
5 second period, a DF fix is computed and displayed.  Therefore you should
hold the button for at least 5 seconds to get good data, and you can hold
it longer, if you like.  These DF reports are added to your current posit.
This means that there can be an ambiguity between the time of the last
POSIT and the DF data.  For this reason, the operator should be driving
on a straight course from the time of the last GPS fix, until he completes
the release of the push button.  To minimize this problem, I have added
the F8 key so the operator can force an instant HSP update at any time.

If your vehicle has a heading of 000 or there is no heading information,
then APRS will ignore any DOPPLER inputs or RELATIVE entires using the
INPUT-DF command.  Fix this by using INPUT-MY-HEADING to enter 360 if you 
are really pointed due north, or enter any other heading if you have a 
compass.  If you have turned since your last fix or your speed has dropped 
below 5 MPH, then you will also need to use the INPUT-MY-HEADING command.
To help you visualize your heading, the normal velocity leader on your
vehicle symbol is expanded by a factor of 4 while in DF mode.

MARKING FIXES:  The INPUT-SAVEpos and INPUT-UPLINKpos commands permit the 
operator to save a DF FIX or special position on their map for future 
reference.  Pressing these commands makes a copy of your current position 
report (with DF bearing if available) as an OBJECT.  They are named with 
a serial number and the last three digits of your call.  These objects 
will remain on the map at that location to serve as reference points.  
The INPUT-UPLINKpos is the same, except that the saved OBJect is marked 
for uplinking to the net.

OPERATIONS:  Start driving.  As long as you are getting good DF data,
periodically press the DF button.  If you want to mark one of these
fixes for future reference, hit INPUT-SAVEpos.  If you want to share it with
others, hit INPUT-UPLINKpos.  If you are maneuvering, hit the F8 key before
taking a DF bearing to get a current heading.  If you are stopped, or
your speed has dropped below 4 MPH then you must use INPUT-MY-HEADING to 
update your heading with a magnetic compass or a map.  If you simply  
pull over and maintain your last heading, then your heading will still
be good.  If you do not have a DF interface, use the INPUT-DF command 
to manually enter your DF bearing, either true or relative.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCES:  Products not tested nor endorsed by APRS:

KA4IIA Doppler Unit:  Based on the Roanoke Doppler.  Doppler unit has a 
   modified antenna switching unit utilizing amplifiers instead of PIN 
   diodes. Unit was reviewed in March 1996 issue of 73's magazine, pp.79-81 
   by Joe Moell. Also available, an universal serial interface that is 
   compatible with APRS.  Interface compatible with KA4IIA and most Roanoke 
   Doppler units. For more info on Doppler Kits and Serial interface:
        Jim Sorenson KA4IIA
        P.O. Box 81881
        Conyers, GA 30208
        Phone (770) 922-0867
        E-mail ka4iia@radio.org


N7LUE Universal DOPPLER APRS serial INTERFACE:  (No longer avail)
     
     Robert Swain, N7LUE cmpk59d@prodigy.com

ROANOAK BOARDS:  Marty Mitchell, N6ZAV at 340? Otero St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
                 His number was 714 760-6060.

AB5CK Doppler UNIT:  Based on the Roanoke Doppler shown in "Transmitter 
Hunting - Radio Direction Finding Simplified" by Joseph D. Moell - K0OV.  

     AB5CK Doppler PC board ................................ $49.95
     AB5CK Doppler with parts .............................. $99.95
     Machine DIP socket set for ICs (recommended) .......... $14.95
     Antenna parts kit (chokes/PIN diodes/resistors/caps) .. $14.95
     Fully assembled and tested AB5CK Doppler PC board .... $199.95
     Fully operational AB5CK Doppler in cabinet ........... $399.95
     Shipping free for most US orders.   Texans add 7.75% sales tax
 
Thomas M. Lewis - AB5CK
6721 Rolling Hills Drive,  
North Richland Hills, Tx.  76180
Phone     817-428-8200
Internet  tlewis@dfw.net



