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I keep going back and forth on this....

I have a tracker for APRS that will latch a relay when a specific APRS message is received...

I am using a Maxtrac (bulletproof!) as the radio for the tracker... Which can decode 2-tone.. which can also latch a relay when activated..


I already have 2m commercial equipment that can do two-tone, however I'd have to send it over 144.39 which is bad.... or set up a priority scan, which will lead to lost packets... I would also have to be very close to the car for it to work....


I would have to buy a VX8 in order to use the APRS tracker relay method, which is $300+ , but would be a mostly nationwide system....

For legal purposes, the signal would be classified as a remote control interface, to control the transmitter function of the rig, which is allowed(and required) under FCC regs...

The signal would disconnect the fuel pump, and switch profiles on the tracker to increase beacon rates....

My commercial equipment is great, and I wanna keep it, but I keep finding my needs push back to amateur equipment (FPP,APRS,etc)..

My mobile (orion) also supports 2-tone ....


I'm leaning towards the Vx8, mainly because of the 'reach' of the APRS network, but I also like the IMMEDIATE short range effects of simplex 2-tone instead of waiting for a signal to my mobile for advanced control functionality..... even simplex right next to the truck I can't guarantee a digi won't kill my signal as I'm trying to tx..



Thoughts? Anything I'm not thinking of?



Oversimplifying? over-complicating?


AX.25 on MURS? :lol:

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Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!

I think you already pointed out everything for the vs. I personally don't see why you would go two tone at all, its not like you will step out of your car with a radio handy when its stolen

as for your application you already said this vehicle is a commercial endeavor so you cant use amateur, remote control, telemetry or otherwise for a commercial purpose. for a non commercial its a fun idea.

as for the setup if your company is real then just write off one of the many remote vehicle tracking system, as well as the remote control and kill systems that use cellular 99% reliable vs the APRS system you have purposed that is not guaranteed and supported by the volunteer amateur community.

as for the VX8 its a nice radio but you can do it for a hulluva lot cheaper with a old ass 2m HT and a tinyTNC or something of the likes with a old GPS, talking like 50 bucks with ebay and used stuff.

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Heard of LoJack?

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I generate Board Warnings

It's for personal and not commercial use... Hence amateur. If it was a commercial system I would file for a license on a dedicated freq. While the vehicle itself is commercial, the usage is strictly amateur. The restrictions are on the USE, Ie what it's used for, not where/what it's used ON.

I want the system to be 'off grid', if you will, not dependant on any infrastructure (or as little as possible.

I carry a small portable with me 99% of the time, just VHF commercial...

It'd be used for packet while in the vehicle as well (MDC installed in the truck).

This is strictly an amateur project...

The packets would also shut down the transmitter (again, as/when required by FCC regs)


Primary purpose is APRS/Packet, secondary is control.

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Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!

I think your really bending the intent of amateur radio and it's uses. Your putting this into a commerical vehicle for amateur purposes...

Step on to soap box...
I think that if you are using amateur radio to control a business vehicle, while on business time is not going to pass the red face test. :oops: It would almost sound like your using this as a bait car. If you are then Lojack or something similar would be your answer, since it's clearly a business aspect. If your baiting cars on your own time well that's another steaming pile I would avoid.

This is my own personal thoughts and not meant as an attack on any individual.

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Again, BIG negative.

Amateur use ONLY..

I'm not going to clog the limited spectrum available and risk losing my licenses by using them in a commercial application.

As I said, if I really wanted to be a cheap #%*(^ I could just use MURS on my VHF portable with 2-tone... :D

This is NOT a bait car...

I started this topic to get a few alternate viewpoints, and I appreciate it, but I can't stress enough that it's a strictly amateur setup as far as the APRS goes, what happens with the Orions and what not is a diff story, even though those are used primarily on 2m/440 anyway. My commercial & amateur endeavors are kept well apart...

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Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!

I would use DTMF myself, but the Maxtrac would need a DTMF decoder board then. Of course that would be a good reason to upgrade (can we say XTL5000). Of course with DTMF you could use most any HT with a full keypad.


Have fun, you are experimenting and trying new things with HAM radio, some people have forgot that is what it is all about.