Yaesu FTM-350 - APRS User manual

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL 1
FTM-350 SERIES
APRS MANUAL
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD.
4-8-8 Nakameguro, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8644, Japan
VERTEX STANDARD
US Headquarters
10900 Walker Street, Cypress, CA 90630, U.S.A.
YAESU UK LTD.
Unit 12, Sun Valley Business Park, Winnall Close
Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, U.K.
VERTEX STANDARD HK LTD.
Unit 5, 20/F., Seaview Centre, 139-141 Hoi Bun Road,
Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
VERTEX STANDARD (AUSTRALIA)PTY., LTD.
Normanby Business Park, Unit 14/45 Normanby Road
Notting Hill 3168, Victoria, Australia
The FTM-350 series transceiver is equipped with a 1200/
9600bps AX.25 Data Modem to enable APRS®(Auto-
matic Packet Reporting System) operation. TheAutomatic
Packet Reporting System (APRS®) is a software program
and registered trademark of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL2
PREPARATIONS
Before performing anyAPRS®operations, set your callsign, SSID (Secondary Station Iden-
tifier), and symbol into the FTM-350, and activate the AX.25 Data Modem via the Set
Mode.
1. Press the [SET]key to enter the Set Mode.
2. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select “APRS/PKT” group, then press the left side
[DIAL]knob.
3. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select
Set Mode item “E28 MY CALLSIGN”,
then press the left side [DIAL]knob twice.
4. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob, or press
one of the microphone keypad buttons, to select the first letter or number in your callsign.
5. After selecting the first digit of the DTMF string, using the left side [DIAL]knob, press
the []key to move to the next digit.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as many times as necessary to complete your call sign.
7. You may backspace the cursor by pressing the []key.
8. When you have completed entering your callsign, press the []key to move to the
SSID slot.
9. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select the SSID, then press the []key to save the
new setting.
10. Press the [ESC]key to exit from Set Mode item “E28 MY CALLSIGN”, then rotate
the left side [DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item “E31 MY SYMBOL”.
11. Press the left side [DIAL]knob, then select the desired preset symbol by pressing one
of the [ICON1]~ [ICON3]or [USER]keys.
To choose another icon, rotate the left side
[DIAL]knob to select the desired symbol
after having pressed either key. You may
choose 1 of 46 different symbols.
12. Press the [ESC]key to save the new setting and exit from Set Mode item “E31 MY
SYMBOL”, then rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item “E32 POSI-
TION COMMENT”.
13. Press the left side [DIAL]knob, then rotate
the left side [DIAL]knob to select the de-
sired comment.You may choose 1 of 15 dif-
ferent comments.
14. Press the [ESC]key to save the new setting and exit from Set Mode item “E32 POSI-
TION COMMENT”, then rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item
“E29 MY POSITION SET”.
15. Press the left side [DIAL]knob. When the
optional GPS Antenna Unit is connected to
the transceiver, select “GPS” by rotating the

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL 3
PREPARATIONS
left side [DIAL]knob then press the left side [DIAL]knob to save the new setting, and
then skip to step 19. Otherwise, select “MANUAL” by rotating the left side [DIAL]
knob and advance to the next step.
Note: You may choose your position from the “Point” memories stored on the GPS
Point List.
16. Press the [ESC]key to save the new setting
and exit from Set Mode item “E29 MY
POSITION SET”, then rotate the left side
[DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item “E30
MY POSITION”.
17. Press the left side [DIAL]knob twice, then enter your position (Longitude/Latitude) by
using the left side [DIAL]knob (select the number/character) and []/ []key (to
move the cursor).
18. Press the [ENT]key to save the new setting, then press the [ESC]key to exit from Set
Mode item “E30 MY POSITION”.
19. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item “E05 APRS MODEM”.
20. Press the left side [DIAL]knob, then rotate
the left side [DIAL]knob to select “ON”.
21. Press the left side [DIAL]knob to save the
new setting, then press the [ESC]key twice
to exit from Set Mode.
When the APRS modem is activated, an “A12”
icon appears above the “Right” band frequency
display.
The FTM-350 provides many convenient functions forAPRS operation. Refer to the “APRS/
PKT Set Mode” chapter beginning with page 20 for details.
SSID
Non
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
-11
-12
-13
-14
-15
DETAILS
Home Station, Home Station IGate
Digipeater
Digipeater
Digipeater
HF to VHF Gateway
IGate (not Home Station)
Operation via Satellite
Hand-held Transceiver, such as VX-8R
Maritime Mobile
Mobile Transceiver, such as FTM-350R
Operation via Internet
APRS touch-tone User (and the Occasional Ballooes)
Portable Units, such as Laptops, Camp Sites etc.
Not Used
Trackers
HF Operation
SSID LIST

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL4
RECEIVING AN APRS®BEACON
1. Set the “Sub” band to the APRS frequency. 144.390MHz is generally used in North
America. If you don’t know the APRS frequency of your country, ask your dealer.
Note: In the factory default, the APRS operation uses the “Sub” band (The “A” icon
will appear at the right side of the “Sub” band S/PO meter). You may change theAPRS
operating band via Set Mode item “E16 DATABAND SELECT” in the “APRS/PKT”
group.
2. When another station’s APRS beacon is re-
ceived, theAPRS pop-up window opens and
anAPRS alert beep is heard. TheAPRS pop-
up window closes automatically after ten
seconds.
3. To confirm the details of the received beacon, press the [F]key repeatedly, until the
[SMART FUNCTION]key’s category
changes to “F-3” mode, if necessary, then
press the [SLIST]key to open the “Station
List” window.
4. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select the desired station, then press the [ENT]key
to display its received data.
5. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to scroll
through the additional lines or pages of the
received information.
When the “Comment” or “Status Text” is included in the received data, you may jump
to the head of the “Comment” or “Status Text” instantly by pressing the [TEXT]key.
6. When the confirmation is finished, press the [BCK]key to return to the “Station List”
window.
THE F-3 FUNCTION COMMANDS OF THE [SMART FUNCTION]KEY FOR APRS OPERATION
SLIST
MSG
LOCK
BCON
B-TX
Open the “Station List” window.
Open the “Message List” window.
Toggles the key lockout feature “on and “off” by pressing the key.
Toggles the transceiver’s power “on and “off” by pressing and holding the key.
Changes theAPRS beacon: OFF, ON(FIX), or SMART.
Transmit the APRS beacon.
F-3

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL 5
RECEIVING AN APRS®BEACON
THE FUNCTION COMMAND OF THE [SMART FUNCTION]KEYS WHILE THE STATION LIST IS OPEN
FAST
TOP
REPLY
QSY
Enables scrolling of the station list using a fast stepping rate (4 rows/click).
Jump to the top column of the Station List.
—
Jump to the “TX MESSAGE EDIT” window (Reply operation).
An opposite bands frequency of theAPRS operation band changes in accordance with the frequency
information included in the receivedAPRS beacon.
S-1
SFLT
SORT
QUERY
GPS
Jump to the “APRS/PKT” Set Mode item “E34 SORT FILTER”.
Initiates sorting.
—
Jump to the “TX MESSAGE EDIT” window with Query command (?APRSP).
Jump to the “GPS Information” page.
S-2
P.LIST
POINT
—
Jump to the “Point List Mode” window.
—
Stores the received position data (Lat/Log)to the “Point” memory.
—
S-3
RAW
QUERY
GPS
Displays the “Raw” data of the receivedAPRS beacon.
—
—
Jump to the “TX MESSAGE EDIT” window with Query command (?APRSP).
Jump to the “GPS Information” page.
B-2
DELETING ARECEIVED BEACON FROM THE “STATION LIST”
1. Press the [SLIST]key to open the “Station List” window.
2. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select the beacon station to be deleted.
3. Press the [ENT]key to display the received data, then confirm that you really want to
erase this beacon data.
4. Press the [DEL]key, then press the [OK?]
key to delete the selected beacon station from
the “Station List”.
DELETING ALL RECEIVED BEACONS FROM THE “STATION LIST”
1. Press the [SLIST]key to open the “Station List” window.
2. Press the [F]key repeatedly, until the [SMART FUNCTION]key’s category changes
to “S-2” mode, if necessary.
3. Press and hold in the [DEL]key for two sec-
onds, then press the [ALLOK?]key to de-
lete all messages from the “Message List”.
DISP
TEXT
TOP
REPLY
QSY
Toggles the compass display between “North Up” and “Heading Up”.

TEXT: Jump to the top of the “Status Text Message”.
 TOP: Jump to the top column of the receivedAPRS beacon.
—
Jump to the “TX MESSAGE EDIT” window (Reply operation).
An opposite bands frequency of theAPRS operation band changes in accordance with the frequency
information included in the receivedAPRS beacon.
B-1

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL6
RECEIVING AN APRS®BEACON
APRSALERT BEEP LIST
APRS FILTER SETTING
The APRS filter option allows you to select the specific types of the data to receive.
1. Press the [SET]key to enter the Set Mode.
2. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select “APRS/PKT” group, then press the left side
[DIAL]knob.
3. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item “E03APRS FILTER”, then
press the left side [DIAL]knob to enable modification of this Set Mode item.
4. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select the “filter” you wish to exclude.
5. Press the left side [DIAL]knob, and then rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select
“OFF”.
6. Press the left side [DIAL]knob to save the new setting.
7. Repeat the above steps and select “OFF” for any other filters you wish exclude.
8. When you have completed your selection, press the [ESC]key several times to exit
from Set Mode.
The FTM-350 provides many convenient functions forAPRS operation. Refer to the “APRS/
PKT Set Mode” chapter beginning on page 20 for details.
EMERGENCY COMMENT Set
x 3 times
EMERGENCY BEACON Received
x 12 times
BEACON Received (APRS Filter “ON”)
BEACON Received (APRS Filter “OFF”)
BEACON Received (Range Ringer Station)
BEACON Received (Callsign Ringer Station)
OWN MESSAGE Received
MESSAGE ACK Received
MESSAGE REJ Received
BEACON Transmit
MESSAGE Transmit
MESSAGE REJ Transmit
BEACON Received (Duplicate Beacon)
OWN BEACON (MY POSITION)Received
MESSAGE Received
GROUP/BULLETIN MESSAGE Received
MESSAGE Received (for Other Station)
MESSAGE Received (Duplicate Message)

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL 7
RECEIVING AN APRS®BEACON
NOTE

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL8
TRANSMIT AN APRS®BEACON
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
To transmit your APRS beacon manually, press
the [F]key repeatedly, until the [SMART
FUNCTION]key category changes to “F-3”
mode, if necessary, then press the [B-TX]key.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The FTM-350 allows you to transmit your APRS beacon automatically and repeatedly.
1. Press the [F]key repeatedly, until the
[SMART FUNCTION]key category
changes to “F-3” mode, if necessary.
2. Press the [BCON]key repeatedly to select
the “Auto” beacon mode (“OFF”, “ON (FIX)”or “SMART”).
OFF: Disables Automatic Transmission (no icon)
ON (FIX): EnablesAutomatic Transmission (“” icon appears at the left of the “A12”
icon).
Transmits your APRS beacon in accordance with the interval determined
by “2 INTERVAL” of the Set Mode item “E14 BEACON TX” in the
“APRS/PKT” group.
SMART: Enables Automatic Transmission (“” icon appears)
Transmits your APRS beacon in accordance with the interval determined
by Set Mode item “E33 SmartBeaconing” in the “APRS/PKT” group.
OFF ON (FIX)SMART
When theAPRS frequency is busy (squelch is open), the FTM-350 will not transmit an
APRS beacon in manual or automatic modes. Insure that the squelch is closed.
You may transmit the APRS beacon manually by pressing the [B-TX]key, even if the
FTM-350 is in automatic mode.
:SmartBeaconingTM is an algorithm created by TonyArnerich KD7TA and Steve
Bragg KA9MVA of HamHUD for adjusting the transmit rate using the speed and
heading changes of the vehicle.
Visit www.hamhud.net for more information about SmartBeaconingTM .

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL 9
OPTIONAL SETTINGS
DIGIPEATER PATH SETTING
The FTM-350 allows you to set up to eight digipeaters for the APRS packet path.
The FTM-350 is preset to “WIDE1-1” and “WIDE1-1, WIDE2-1” digi-path to insure that
your transmittedAPRS beacon is repeated by the New-N paradigm digipeaters. We recom-
mend that you use this default setting.
1. Press the [SET]key to enter the Set Mode.
2. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select “APRS/PKT” group, then press the left side
[DIAL]knob.
3. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select Set Mode item “E19 DIGI PATH SELECT”,
then press the left side [DIAL]knob to enable selection of this Set Mode item.
4. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select the desired path, then press the left side
[DIAL]knob.
5. When you have completed your selection, press the [ESC]key several times to exit
from Set Mode.
TRANSMIT AN APRS®BEACON
THE F-3 FUNCTION COMMANDS OF THE [SMART FUNCTION]KEY FOR APRS OPERATION
SLIST
MSG
LOCK
BCON
B-TX
Open the “Station List” window.
Open the “Message List” window.
Toggles the key lockout feature “on and “off” by pressing the key.
Toggles the transceiver’s power “on and “off” by pressing and holding the key.
Changes theAPRS beacon: OFF, ON(FIX), or SMART .
Transmit the APRS beacon.
F-3

FTM-350 SERIES APRS®MANUAL10
TRANSMIT AN APRS®BEACON
OPTIONAL SETTINGS
STATUS TEXT MESSAGES
You may store five Status Text Messages (up to the 60 characters for each memory), and
you may transmit one of these Status Text Messages with theAPRS beacon.
1. Press the [SET]key to enter the Set Mode.
2. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select “APRS/PKT” group, then press the left side
[DIAL]knob.
3. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select
Set Mode item “E13 BEACON STATUS
TXT”, then press the left side [DIAL]knob
to enable selection of this Set Mode item.
4. Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select the
Status Text Resister (“3: TEXT 1” through
“7:TEXT 5”) you wish to store the text mes-
sage to.
5. Press the left side [DIAL]knob, then rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select addi-
tional text to add to your message.
NONE: There is no addi-
tional text in your
message.
FREQUENCY: Appends the opposite band frequency data of the APRS opera-
tion band into your message.
FREQ&SQL&SFT: Appends the opposite band frequency data of the APRS opera-
tion band, sub audio information (squelch type and its tone fre-
quency/code), and repeater shift frequency data into your mes-
sage.
6. Press the left side [DIAL]knob, then enter the desired comment (up to 60 characters)
using the following examples.
Example 1: Press the one of the microphone keypad button. Press the [A]or [B]key to
move the cursor forward or backward, and press the [C]key to delete all
data after the cursor.
Example 2: Rotate the left side [DIAL]knob to select a character/number, and press the
[] or []key to move the cursor forward or backward. You may change
the character (capital alphabet, small alphabet, numeric, and symbol) by press-
ing the [FONT]key.
7. When you have completed your entry, press the [ENT]key to save your message.