T&T: GPS tracking on the web?

[Ed Bruette]

I brought a 40' William Garden trawler up the left coast from Long beach, CA
to the PNW 6 years ago.  Knowing that the boat only had marine VHF, I took a
Ham radio APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) with me.  All it
requires is a Ham license (yeah, I know that requires study time), a 2 meter
(Ham) VHF radio, modem, antenna and GPS.  Some of the advantages to using
this system are, it uses RF and is not dependant on a phone connection,
there are lots of RF to internet gateways to provide 2 way access to the
internet, in addition to showing your position in real time (remember it is
automatic) there is a short message capability so you can communicate
digitally with other users of the system (requires a computer) and if you
have included a computer in the setup, you can use the APRS mappage to
verify your chart plotter.  Many of the shore side APRS stations include
weather stations in their setups and make their WX information available via
RF and over the web, again it is in real time.

Other uses; it keeps a verifiable track that MAY be useful if you have to go
to court, it's easy for SAR to see your last reported position even though
you were not able to use your MMSI/DSC or otherwise contact help, family and
friends can see that you have deviated from the float plan that you left in
their hands.

During the aforementioned trip we ran about 20 NM off the beach and VHF
connectivity was maintained the entire trip.  My bride jokes that she could
see us sliding back down the waves in the gale conditions we encountered as
soon as we turned North at Pt. Conception.  I still have a paper copy of the
messages she and I exchanged during that trip.  Many of the boat owner's
friends and relatives were amazed at the ability to watch our progress.

If I had the time (it was a very lumpy trip with only 2 sets of watch
standers with no autopilot) and the inclination, I could have attached a
microphone to the radio for voice communications.

Now I need to complete the installation of APRS on Makin' Do.   :-}


Ed, N7NVP
PT-38  "Makin' Do"
Poulsbo, WA
 

-----Original Message-----
Subject: T&T: GPS tracking on the web?

Anybody using GPS tracking on their boats?  It's fun for friends and
relative to see where the boat is...