TinyTrack And map displays

[Wmacky]

I have just recieved my tinytrack3, and will be wiring up a test rig this week. In anticipation, i'm attempting to get some software sorted out. I have to admit that at this point i'm overwhelmed! :eek: I have AGWPE running, and a copy of UI-View16, as well as AWGtracker. Even after a little reading, i'm lost as to how to procede with importing maps! Seems to be a giant learning curve, as I know nothing about GPS or mapping.

What I'm looking for is both a set of street maps for my general area as well as a set of sat maps. These must be useable offline with the programs I have. I seem to be lacking the general overview of how to proceed as well as the specific steps. Are there any web sources for these maps, or must I buy some sort of mapping package? I know many here are doing this and I would love a little hand holding through the process.

[kd7ost]

I would sign on to Yahoo and post your question here.

Dan

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/tvnsp/

[Wmacky]

I would sign on to Yahoo and post your question here.

Dan

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/tvnsp/

I will, But i'd still like to hear how the guy's here have done it! :)

[kd7ost]

Understood. I haven't heard guys here using it very much though. The High Altitude balloon groups of HAM Radio operators use APRS with Street Atlas or more recently the UIView to track their gear up to 20 miles high and in some cases, hundreds of miles down range.

If you don't get everything you're looking for here the HAM group is a good resource for APRS.

Dan

[Wmacky]

Thanks, I also need to state that i'm not even sure I have chosen the right trackers. What I would like is something like the moving map displays used in autos, but with the option to use Sat maps also. Is this possible?

[kd7ost]

I don't know how to import the sat maps or if they are of a correct format. I know a guy in Canada that you need to talk to. His name is James but I'll hold off on his last name because he's not signed on here.

I'll drop him an e-mail with a link to this thread. You'll hear from him or me.

BTW, any of you APRS guru's out there feel free to jump in on this. The process Wmackey is asking about isn't entry level though.

Dan

[kd7ost]

E-mail sent.

[workshop]

AGWTracker is pretty straight forward once you get used to it. Like brain surgery. :D

Start with using the Google Maps view. Zoom in on the area that you are going to fly. Put you laptop in Standby mode and head out to the field. Once at the field, start PEPro and setup a RX Only RadioPort using the soundcard (if you haven't already done so on the bench) and use the tuning aid to set the volume (sinewave view helps here). Once PEPro "hears" the TinyTrack it will automatically pass APRS info to the tracker program(s). You can look at the "Monitor" window to see the ARPS sentences coming in.

Check out the Catalina Island Project thread for info on the finer points of setting up the TinyTrack3 with RF video transmitters.

Registering other maps is possible but might require translating GPS coordinates to or from on of the three formats. (hddd.dddd, etc.). I found the Google maps to be the best so I just use that feature now. Basically one just creates a .inf file for a map .jpg that contains the LatLon of the upper left and lower right corners. As long as the LatLon is in the right format, AGWTracker reads and registers the .jpg files.

Jeff

[dalbert02]

Play with the software for a little bit. I don't mean to sound harsh or mean, but in the amount of time it would take to type a step by step guide, you would have figured it out. Just make sure the when you have packet engine running, the two little lights blink green in the packet engine icon in the task bar (looks like a modem). These green lights tell you you are recieving packets. Then open tracker File, Open, Virtual Earth or Google Map. As long as you have an internet connection and your "audio in" is hearing the tiny trak III, you are good. If it doesn't work, I'll go ahead and type up a guide, but it is really not too hard. :)
-dave

PS no need to use UI View

[workshop]

AGWTracker (and Google Earth Plus) will cache registered map data so you can "Standby Mode" the laptop (after you've viewed the maps while on-line) and go to the flying field (usually no WiFi) and still have a moving map.

Jeff

[Wmacky]

So is it possible to save the google maps? Can the object stay centered while the map moves?

Edit: I've messed with google maps, and virtual earth. I like the look of the maps. they seem perfect! But, I don't want to have to load them online everytime. Please tell me I can "capture" an area for permanent download, (and still have it auto scroll)! I feel this is the point where you tell me i'm in trouble. ;)

[workshop]

Yes... Both programs will let you work off-line with cached data. :D

Google Earth Plus needs GPS serial data not APRS however. :(

Jeff

[Wmacky]

Yes... Both programs will let you work off-line with cached data. :D


Google Earth Plus needs GPS serial data not APRS however. :(

Jeff

How do I do this? Or are we still talking about the load and go method. :)

EDIT: OK I missed this...

"I found the Google maps to be the best so I just use that feature now. Basically one just creates a .inf file for a map .jpg that contains the LatLon of the upper left and lower right corners. As long as the LatLon is in the right format, AGWTracker reads and registers the .jpg files."

Can you go you go into a little more detail here? How do I save the map? If a grab a .JPG of the Google map from the zoomed out view, will AWG allow me to zoom back in and then scroll the map as the route is followed/

Stick with me guys, i'm making some good progress here!


I now see that Mappoint is the correct package that works with AWG. And, it only cost $300! :eek: I don't mind buying software but holy cow! Couldn't the author have found something slightly more thrifty? :rolleyes:

[workshop]

I'm off to the dry lake beds and will answer in more detail when I get back. Don't buy anything! Google maps are next to free (non-commercial use) and work great alone or with AGWTracker. If you can save it as a jpg, it will work in Tracker.

Jeff

[ijustwant]

Hi

I have this idea that i would like to hear your opinion about.

What if a digital to analog converter converts the signal from the GPS to a analog signal. Pass it through the audio channel of the Tx and, on the output on the Rx, you put a analog to digital converter and connect that signal to the RS232 port on the laptop. With the appropriate electronics on both AD and DA converter, it may talk the "RS232" language and maybe this would work ???

This way you can have a kind of wireless GPS reciever connected to the laptop

[dalbert02]

Hi
I have this idea that i would like to hear your opinion about.
What if a digital to analog converter converts the signal from the GPS to a analog signal. Pass it through the audio channel of the Tx and, on the output on the Rx, you put a analog to digital converter and connect that signal to the RS232 port on the laptop. With the appropriate electronics on both AD and DA converter, it may talk the "RS232" language and maybe this would work ???
This way you can have a kind of wireless GPS reciever connected to the laptop

What advantage would this have over just sending the GPS coordinates over the audio channel using the Tiny Trak and a software TNC like AGW Packet Engine on the laptop? Essentially, the TinyTrak is a modem (modulator/demodulator) that modulates the digital GPS data to analog audio format. This audio is sent on the audio channel and then demodulated with the TNC software like AGW. So, I guess I am confused what a different D/A and A/D converter would do for you. :confused:

-dave

[Wmacky]

What advantage would this have over just sending the GPS coordinates over the audio channel using the Tiny Trak and a software TNC like AGW Packet Engine on the laptop? Essentially, the TinyTrak is a modem (modulator/demodulator) that modulates the digital GPS data to analog audio format. This audio is sent on the audio channel and then demodulated with the TNC software like AGW. So, I guess I am confused what a different D/A and A/D converter would do for you. :confused:

-dave

Yeah, I think he is unaware that i'm doing what he's suggesting with the TT3 and AGWPE. I just need to build cables, and tune pots.

[Myron]

Hey Wmacky,

We have been playing with the EagleTree system and Google Earth. We also use A Garmin Gecko 201 and Geospatial Experts software.. The Eagletree allows for "live mode" moving map over google earth if you want to go that route.. Geospatial is a little different in that we use it to overlay high res images and then you can also pull in Mapsquest and Topo maps. Both do allow for "driving directions" to where you have your coords and photos laid out..

Here is a link to a sample I put in the AP forum.. The resolution is poor here for obvious reasons.. The original I have on my system looks great..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=650499

Myron

[Wmacky]

That looks great! Right now I just what to get this working with TT3, AWGTracker, and a small set of "saved" maps. What really interests me is the google "Hybrid" maps. I hope there is a easy way for me to "save" them for importing! I'm hoping Workshop, and the others have some ideas. Perhaps a screen capture?

[ijustwant]

Well m y idea was to be able to use all moveing map software without having any problems with the gps connection. That's all...

[workshop]

APRS works in tone bursts - not realtime... and only with APRS mapping programs.

A RF Modem (Maxstream, Aerocomm) gives bi-directional RS232 - the best as it can work with any application that accepts RS232, etc.

Digital over Audio is the cheap way to go for REALTIME moving map using Google Earth Plus. Unfortunately, I'm still working on the code (see Catalina Island Project thread to see my GPS modem in progress).

The GPS modem project requires someone who can code in C+ and understands FSK and Manchester encoding. PM me if you want to help me develop a GPS modem based on ATMEL microcontrollers (ATTINY2313).

Jeff

[Wmacky]

Well the thread kinda died. I'll ask again if anyone Has info on saving google maps for use offline in AWGtracker. I've searched for hours online with no results.

[Myron]

Have you looked into Google Earth Pro?.. I am running the trial and it seems to have alot of options. ITs free for 7 days so you ought to give it a try..

Myron

[workshop]

Wmacky,

You need Google Earth Pro ($20 per year - a bargain!).

When you have a view that you like, make note of the upper left and lower right coordinates (and their format hddd.dddd, hh.mm.ss.dd, etc.). Then save the map in .jpg format.

Using Notepad (or other text editor) create a file named mapname.inf and in that file place the cooridnates (you may have to manually translate them) as described in the AWG Tracker help files. Save that file in the same directory as your .jpg

In Tracker create a new map project using the .jpg file and AWG Tracker will reaqd the .inf and register the map.

OR... In AWG Tracker you can pull up Google MAPS ONLINE, place the laptop in "Standby" mode and go to the flying field. When you power on the laptop OFFLINE the Google Map will still be there and will still work.

Jeff

[Myron]

Jeff,

I like your google pro price better than mine!!! When I downloaded the trial it said it was 400.00 a year!! Where did you see the 20 a year price? Got a link? Wmackey, You can also save your GPS track log and import that into GE with the Geospatial software... Its 229.00 but it has a really slick GE interface. I'm not familiar with the tiny track so I cant speak on that.

Myron

[workshop]

My mistake...

Plus is the version I use... $20/month

Jeff

[Wmacky]

I see. The google plus has saveable maps where as the standard Google does not. I wonder if there are any tracker programs that are AGWPE ready, and have the ability to use lower priced Map packages? I believe WINARPS Uses other map packages, But I don't think it can use AGWPE. I'll check out Google +.

[Myron]

OK, That sounds sounds more like it!.. Does the PLUS have the ruler with selectable values and can you draw a polygon over an area to measure acres, sq miles, ect.?

Myron

[workshop]

I've used a measuring tool and I believe one can draw polygons. I'll have to dig to be sure but I believe the answer is yes.

Jeff

You run a Maxstream, I'd be interested in your results if you decide to drop the $20... :D

Jeff