Advanced APRS Features of the Yaesu FTM-400XDR - Ham Radio Q&A
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2024
- When it comes to mobile APRS, Yaesu’s FTM-400XDR is an excellent choice as it contains a built in GPS, excellent full color touch screen, and a sophisticated set of APRS functions. There is so much this radio can do, we’ll run through some of the advanced APRS features that really make the Yaesu shine.
Smart Beaconing 01:27
QSY to a Frequency 03:21
Station List Filtering 04:30
Sending and Receiving Messages 05:12
Location Ambiguity 06:05
APRS Reset 07:15
Basic APRS Settings for the FTM-400XDR
• Yaesu FTM-400XDR Basic...
Yaesu FTM-400 APRS User Manual
yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?Fil...
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Woohoo! My callsign made the video! WI9EMT
I am really excited about the FTM-400XDR radio. I have one ordered but it is on backorder. I did get a FTM-100 and a FT2DR. I am going to setup a APRS gateway using an old Bearcat scanner and a windows computer sincer there are very few digipeaters in my area. I guess you can set one up using a raspberry pi and a RTL-SDR dongle which I have all of these. I did a test yesterday near Marshall MN with my FT2DR setup like yours and my vehicle in close proximity to a APRS Gateway did pick up my signals. This is so cool!
I like the cornering beacon option. never knew about it, but I just
started using the radio in the past month. Just checked my FT3DR, it has the
same option. I tend to use that with my bike and motorcycle, so the
awesomeness just keeps on shining.
Great info on the APRS. Thanks
As always a great and educational video....tks
Thanks Michael!
I was looking in the manual for the hollow circle icon you reference at the 3:15 mark, glad I watched this all the way through! Thanks Michael. How did you figure that out? Is it a standard Yaesu thing? I was trying to figure it out in the manual but could not find. I find the manual is not as in-depth as I'd like (even though it's 220 pages.)
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you sir!
I'm a brand new ham at the young age of 54. your videos are great thanks.
You are a youngster and only as old as you feel.
Tnx for the video. Quite helpful. Can this trx have a user preset of reply messages that can be accessed via microphone keys?
Thank you for your review. I had watched it before, but at that time I was not using the FTM-400 APRS feature with an iGate software (i.e. Pinpoint APRS).
I now understand that the FTM-400XDR TNC is not addressable and unfortunately this device cannot be used as a fill-in digipeater while APRS Kenwood devices can.
But it's not that important since I live in a big city with a sufficient number of repeaters.
What I like about some APRS operations with the FTM-400 is the touchscreen, which allows me to send an APRS frame at will with just a touch of my thumb, without even having to look at the screen.
A useful feature for getting the attention of the International Space Station at the right time.
VA2KK
Correct. You hit on the downfall of the FTM-400 in that it is a closed system and the TM-D710 has an open TNC. The Kenwood has its advantage if you want to use it with an auxiliary application. But what the Yaesu does, it does very well. I find, overall, its user interface to be more suited to mobile operation.
Excellent commentary on the FTM400xdr's APRS. I tweeked my settings to match what you talked about in the video. So I would guess this would be the time to overwrite and update all my frequencies and settings to the SD card for backup? KD9MSP
Thanks Michael. for this great vid. After watching your beginning and now advanced version for the 400xdr I have developed a problem. I am not able to see my jeep icon and track anymore when I go out. I have rechecked the inputs per you suggestions and stil unable to show my track on APRS-fi Any thoughts for troubleshooting is appreciated.
Michael, your videos are quite informative but at times you can get a little quick.
During this last video of the advance aprs settings, I was sitting in the car by the radio and couldn't keep up with you.
I did discovered the station list which is really cool because it showed a frequency that I did not have in my scan list.
Take care, 73 and thanks again for your videos
I do move along in the video. In the description you will find chapter markers so if you miss a piece you can easily rewind to the start of the segment and rewatch it.
Pretty basic question. But what if I am out in the middle of nowhere. Could the beacon still go out, or would I need to be in range of a repeater with an igate?
What about satellites?
I am in the position where I will need to send my position outside of civilization.
Can you go over sending aprs to a text message on a phone also how to send an aprs to email? 73's KD9HJN
Thank you Michael for your excellent videos. I have watched most all on the Yaesu-ft400 xdr and installed this Radio in my highly modified 44 Jeep (now a rock crawler) and am trying to understand how to use this Radio on the fly. I have 2 sets of cables so I can program and update settings by cable from the computer in my shak. Question: I am prettty good at progaming using rt systems software.but I do not feel comfortable adding frequencies on the fly while in the field. 1. Can you show me how to use the Microphone to add frequencies? - 2. Is it possible to add freq's just by using the microphone or a combination of radio function buttons and the number keys on the microphone?
Hello Michael: You do a great job on your videos. I have a couple questions about the FTM400. Let's say I have a friend 150 miles away and I want to send him an APRS message. How do I use the digipath options in the FTM 400 to send a message to him via RF? Also, is there a way to set up a digipath so that my signal will go into an iGate then come out on a specific iGate to reach him as well? For example, a guy from the country of Turkey sent me an APRS message through an iGate, but I yet to figure out how he did it. Thanks! Bret / AC0AE
Nice job. 73
Do you think that Yaesu or Kenwood will ever incorporate this APRS technology into an all band mobile transceiver?
Just watched this and there is are several discrepancies between the menu programming. Can you do an update? W8ESM
I'm looking to run a data cable from my 400d into a kenwood navigation radio for the GPS as well as info from my yaesu and mapping options. is that a thing? kk6seb
Tried to run APRS in my truck this morning and I would see xmt happening and hear a loud tone (yes mute is ON) then periodically I get a high tone low tone out of the speaker, then at times I got a step tone (3 steps going down) and sometimes a 2 steps tone going down. I have the settings exactly as your video shows. The radio in my shack exactly mirrors the one in the truck. I'm getting the same stuff. I finally shut the APRS off in frustration. Why am I getting this?
How can you set APRS to ring only when someone you know is close. I think there is a list somewhere?
Amazing technology for guys like moi, who have analog brains. One thing though: can this be considered texting?
I have a Ft-400XDR in my truck but has wierd things going on with APRS. It does not seem to put out packets when it's warm outside. The GPS locks on several sats and it keys and beacons but sends no data and the igate is close becase I own it. When its cooler weather it all works fine. None of it is mounted on the dash in the sun it just gets hot with the windows up parked in the drive. Can not figure this out and called Yaesu they had no idea
The FTM 400 is a good APRS radio. Some annoyances I have found with it that could be fixed by Yaesu.
1.The ability to have it NOT beacon over someone talking on the other band. When rag chewing it transmits over the person I am trying to listen to. Kind of rude behavior if you ask me.
2. The option to turn on pop ups for ALL received packets. Even if I have received them in the past or they aren't moving. I just like to know what is out there.
You bring up some really good points. As for your first one, I wish integrated APRS radios wouldn't beacon when the A band is active- the Kenwoods do it too; and of course when I used to run a separate tracker radio in my car, every time that would go off, my voice radio would desense. That's something that APRS users have had to put up with for years and years.
Can anyone help me with this issue: In the FTM-400XDR APRS screen 29 [POSITION COMMENT] you have several choices (Off Duty/En Route/In Service etc.). In that menu you have "CUSTOM 0" thru "CUSTOM 6." HOW DO YOU ADD A CUSTOM MESSAGE. If I select one of the custom choices it does not allow me to enter any text. Can anyone help me with this?
Would like to know what all the different APRS beeps and tones mean. I often hear 3 descending beeps after a beacon but no idea what that means!
I think the three are when you hear yourself repeated by a digipeater. Page 38 www.yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=8042&FileCatID=150&FileName=FTM%2D400DR%5FAPRS%5Fmanual%5F1309%2DA0.pdf&FileContentType=application%2Fpdf
So on your beacon text when it says frequency and tone will it automatically put it in every time you change frequencies your beacon will automatically change also
Yes it does. I think it's kinda a neat feature
Great video!! One question - on the position comment - how do you modify like 'Custom 1' or 'Custom 2'. Radio allows you to select it, but seems like a custom position comment should be able to be customized :)
I'll have to check my radio and verify this, but you may need to use the ADMS software (available from Yaesu) in order to configure that setting.
@@KB9VBRAntennas I use RT Systems version and couldn't figure out how to do it on there - but please let me know what you think :). 73's W7IC
Sadly....you don't.
This question plagued me for some time. It took a LOT of digging, and I was eventually able to find that these messages are canned and cannot be changed. The post I found refers to Kenwood radios, but it appears to be the same for Yaesu.
kenwood-radios.groups.io/g/TH-D74/message/4046
"Randy Allen6/07/19 #4046
As I understand it the Custom Messages are not actually Messages but Position Comments. In the Kenwood Radios they are built into the software of the radios. They will always transmit the text of "Custom 0" or "Custom 1" etc. up through Custom 6
The receiver will see the text Custom 1 or whatever on their radio.
There is no creation of a message. You are using a pre-built menu of texts to be transmitted. You can not alter them in anyway.
Before your event, you and the other ham agree on what each will mean. So Custom 1 could mean "Returning to Base" for you and your friend. It could also mean "Call Me on phone" for me and my wife. But what passes over RF is the text "Custom 1" no matter who sends it or what the meaning is for any particular group."
@@SSGTNAM Thanks for the info :). I was wondering if anyone else had questioned how to do this :) - 73's W7IC
😊👍
do a video on how you have the FTM 400XDR on your vehicle. please.
I did one last fall. Here's a video of my mobile install: ua-cam.com/video/TmKBqVXF1eM/v-deo.html
What state are you in ? Thanks for the information
Wisconsin
I have been familiarizing myself with APRS.fi but I cannot find anywhere what the icons mean other than weather and a car. When I use it I am showing a telephone, I have no idea why a phone. Any place I can find out what all the different icons mean? Thanks and I always watch your videos for great explanations.
The original symbol list was pretty intuitive but there are literally thousands of different symbols you can use and some of them get quite crazy. Here's a good explanation of the development and history of the symbol list: www.aprs.org/symbols.html
I love the fact I can send texts messages by rf to a cell phone
What type of mount are you using for your radio head?
Midnightcaller I don’t n ow what he’s using here but I’ve seen a lot of people using a Ram Mount. I use one for my phone and it works well.
I am stuck on A band and B band when it comes to the APRS frequency as well as programming frequencies in to A and B band. Does this mean I can program the A-band with VHF freqs both analog and digital even though A band is for the UHF side? Please get me straight on this issue I am having. I spent about six hours yesterday evening going over the radio and programming it and using the data cable and formatting the micro SD card. I watched your video about the basic programming and the menus and entering the frequencies and selecting the beacons and messaging and I understood that. I guess it's up to the owner of the radio on how they program the APRS frequency. Thanks :) 73s de WB4UR :)
Most people use the B band for APRS and the A band for everything else. The FTM400 only has one digital vocoder, so you need to use the A band for any system Fusion operation. The way I have my radio set up is that the A Band has all my 2 meter and 70cm repeaters that I commonly use and some simplex channels. The B band is my APRS channel, more 70 cm repeaters, and a full list of simplex frequencies. I hope this helps.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Yes, it does :) Tnx for the reply :) 73s de WB4UR
What mapping software are you using in this video?
It's the website aprs.fi
I just got the 400 a few days ago. I like almost everything except a couple things. The touch screen is impossible for me to type on without hitting the wrong characters. The channel memory is way to small I should be able to put in more information like the full city name and the repeats callsign. It’s outrageous how few characters it will accept. And my last complaint is the CTCSS tones should be programmable from the memory page not requiring 3 additional steps. Honestly programming from the radio is probably not how most people do this but I do as I am often on the road and unable to get to a computer. When I’m driving I may need to add a dozen repeaters when I cross into another state or area. So I program it from the radio all the time. All in all I like the 400 these are just a couple gripes I have with it.
Unfortunately these are common complaints with mobile transceivers in the amateur market. I've owned maybe a dozen different mobiles over the years and all of them limit the alpha tags to 6 characters. And changing the tone on the fly is always a problem. You may be able to turn on and off the tone easily from the front panel, but adjusting the tone value itself is always a deep menu item.
Voice alert would have been a good one to go over.
yeah what about voice alert?
I changed my scope button to msg for easier operation
That's a good idea. I like the scope cause I can push the button and see if there's activity on the other channels I'm not currently listening to.
I have had a FTM-400 for just under a year. And just in the last week, portions of the touch screen have quite working to include the configuration page. Is there a “three finger salute” for this radio to reset the micro processor since I can’t do a reset via the config page. Or is this a problem for the repair station. Thx KD0M
Over my head, but very interesting , 73s. N3MJR
Yeasu APRS link does not work
I haven’t seen a really good video on using APRS - just setup. Ok. It’s setup. Now what? KE0VIM
What would you like to know? tracking, messaging, digipeating? My APRS playlist has more practical uses of APRS: ua-cam.com/play/PLtTjGEOMh1fQ-elXGkxC5CZ2JLhJ4B1II.html
@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks for the reply! I watched through this playlist though a few I’ve seen before and I’ve decided to research more into the SMS messaging function and other related tools as well as using the ARISS.
The content suggestion I have is a scenario where you’re in an unfamiliar town in some sort of emergency and the internet is down. How would you leverage APRS? What useful info could you learn from this system and how would you use it?
Just a suggestion. Thanks for the channel, Michael!
Mike
KE0VIM
No one has ever described APRS as a tactical mode.
Bob Bruninga, the developer of APRS has described it as tactical since day one www.aprs.org/APRS-tactical.html
@@KB9VBRAntennas I think his use of the word goes back to his days at the Naval Academy i.e. as in tactics, esp. in military or naval manoeuvres. When we talk about being tactical we usually mean actions carefully planned to gain a specific military end
I disagree. Being an instructor at Annapolis, he knew exactly what tactical meant, and saw how APRS filled a role in situational awareness. That's certainly being tactical.
Oh! Please grab a fellow ham and show a two message session and if you have the ability send a picture from the mic. 73
Why does anyone care where I am located?
maybe more importantly- do you care if someone can find you when your off the beaten path at the bottom of a gully and can't save yourself.
"EDIT" "Warning" Snarky comment! Can I get Yaesu to turn APRS on at the factory so I can track the FTM--400XDR I just ordered to my front door?
No. No power. Kind of an odd question. Not to be snarky but anyone with even a basic license should know this.
@@chichimusimus7612I was being sarcastic or snarky as you say. Even before I had any license I totally understand all the items that are needed to make two way communications and that is fine, I don't mind my question being labeled kind of odd, I can take it, that is how I roll, but you could do it with a Yaesu FT2DR...Actually someone did mail a cheap HT and an APRS receiver to himself from a destination and tracked it in route to his home. Unfortunately the battery he setup for his APRS receiver ran out of power half way to his home. There is a UA-cam video on it...
I will put a warning label on my comment.
Did you figure a way to monitor the location of the shipment? I just ordered my FTM-400 as well and would like a status report every 1hr. haha
Only gripe I have about this radio is a lack of bank memory
I Love your Vids and are learning a bunch from you. However, I will quit if I keep being brain washed wiht Political crap commercials befor I can hit the skip button...........
I have no control over the type of advertisements that you see. If I could prevent political ads from being shown on my channel I would.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Understand sir, sorry...