The OpenAPRS app for the iPhone is a really great app with lots of features and easy setup. I stumbled across this app the other day and decided to give it a try. While there are cheaper APRS apps in the iTunes store this one seems to be well done and supported.

OpenAPRS supports sending and recieving of APRS messages with push notification, Callsign SSID, auto or user enabled beaconing, custom comment, manual coordinate entry, ability to choose your icon, and object creation.

Not wanting to shell out the cash for a handheld with a built in tnc and gps this works great with my iphone. With the echolink app and OpenAPRS app together I get the features of a handheld with aprs capabilities all on my iPhone.

Well I finally got around to setting the Kenwood TS-480 up for remote operation and it seems to work very well.

I am using Hamachi LogMeIn for remote desktop operation and Skype VOIP program that allows audio to be sent back and forth over the internet to and from the 480.

For the radio control I used Kenwood ARHP-10 and ARCP-480. The ARHP-10 is on the host computer and  ARCP-480 is on the remote laptop.

Kenwood ARCP-480 software

The data cable (male 6 pin mini DIN connector) for audio I created from an old keyboard extension cable by just cutting off the female end and then soldering two 1/8” stereo audio plugs on after identifying the pins.
*Note: Some keyboards only contain 5 wires to the din plug and the missing wire will be one of the pins needed for the 480.

Adjusting the audio levels was the trickiest part of the whole setup. Kenwood did a good job with the software and the ease of connecting the 480 to the PC.

I have used echolink before but never really used it often until recently getting an iPhone and discovering the echolink app. It allows you to use your iPhone or iPod touch to communicate using echolink via wifi. Great for when I am on the road and want to chat back home on one of the local repeaters. My brother (KK4AOH) just received his license and echolink allows him to use his iPod to get on the repeaters without having to invest in a radio right away. With an iPhone you can access echolink thru the cell network and this great app is also available for android system phones.

I discovered and added a plugin called WPtouch that formats the website with a mobile theme for people using an iPhone/Ipod touch or other smartphone.  I own a iPod touch that I use daily for quick lookups on the web etc. and was excited to find such a useful plugin.

Here is the site viewed without the plugin

Here is what you get when viewing with the plugin

After using joomla for 4 years I decided to try out wordpress and see how I like it. It will take a little time to get my site back up due to the learning curve but I think the change will be worth it.