N7500 APRS questions (and some other)

[Radek SQ5GLU]

First of all, I'd like to say hello, as just joined the group.

I'm thinking about buying N7500 and I was observing this radio since the moment it appeared on the market. The key factor for me for deciding on buying it is the APRS functionality so let me ask you some questions that I hope, will help to take the decision on purchase.

- from what I've found, the radio doesn't have real dual VFOs and is using dual watch. How it behaves when monitoring e.g. simplex voice channel and APRS channel, in case there is a voice transmission on the first one? I guess it stops to receive APRS packets, right?

And what is the reverse situation - when receiving APRS frames, does it make the risk of losing some voice call?

I'm asking because I'm using the VHF equipment in a big city with many APRS traffic and lot of expected voice traffic as well. So any noticeable collision here would be a bad case. 

- Is there an option to manually sent (force) APRS beacon?

- is there a chance that smartbeaconing will be incorporated into future firmware or app releases? I can see that Josh  VK2MES is doing a great job on joint development of the software side of the radio, that's really nice!

- a side question on the receiver quality - does this radio have any frontend filters? I suspect this is not superhet, but a SDR (correct me please if I'm wrong) and I'm afraid if some "foreign" signals like radio remote controlled doorbells, gates etc. can cause interference the same way one can observe while receiving signal using Baofengs and cheap chinese SDR mobile radios.

Best 73

Radek SQ5GLU 

[Marnoch Standen]

Hi Radek

 

You have not said if you’re planning to use an iOS or Andriod phone for the radio as this makes a great difference. I have attached the recent Android manual to help users get started.

 

The radio is dual band and single VFO with a clever app that monitors and switches between memories and bands.

 

There are 2 channels for live listening and it will scan 16 memories.

 

If you want to receive APRS it needs to listen on one of the 2 channels. It will digi repeat the APRS to RF and Igate network.

The possibility of Smart Beaconing has been asked for but I don’t think it will be likely in the near future as they are improving the app every few months.

The beaconing for APRS can be sent out at different times to your choosing. APRS collisions will be expected due to the mess it works on and the radio waits for a break in the squelch.  

 

- from what I've found, the radio doesn't have real dual VFOs and is using dual watch. How it behaves when monitoring e.g. simplex voice channel and APRS channel, in case there is a voice transmission on the first one? I guess it stops to receive APRS packets, right?  NO if there is a signal being received it stays on that till it goes to the next signal which could be APRS or phone.

And what is the reverse situation - when receiving APRS frames, does it make the risk of losing some voice call?  As above no it stays on till the signal ends.

I'm asking because I'm using the VHF equipment in a big city with many APRS traffic and lot of expected voice traffic as well. So any noticeable collision here would be a bad case. It will not TX APRS till there is a gap.

 

- Is there an option to manually sent (force) APRS beacon?  NO only adjustment of beacon times, called radio sharing from OFF then 10 sec to 30 mins.

 

- is there a chance that smartbeaconing will be incorporated into future firmware or app releases?   NO….not present at the moment.

 

The only complaints on filtering have been from the USA where unfiltered local paging system have got into the wide front end, like all radios now.

 

I hope this answers some of your questions.

 

Min G0JMS

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[Radek SQ5GLU]

Hi Min,

thanks for your reply and also thanks for sharing the documentation folder.

I'm planning to use Android. 

Just one more question: is there a signal meter in the app? (S-meter). Or if not, at least any visual indication of channel activity (like "busy" lamp), and also TX visual indication?

I was watching some reviews on youtube and presentations how the radio operates, but it was quite hard to find one with a part focused on an example of the radio transmission.

best 73

Radek

[Marnoch Standen]

Hi Radek

 

Yes there is a signal and audio which now shows under the 2 channel indicators which show the name and frequency.

The colour of the channel changes when its busy Red for operational and black for listening.

 

It is one help of an app and does a lot for its money… I find the developers keep doing small improvements and sorting out any minor bugs.

 

You can put the app on the phone without having a radio which will help you get your head around what the manual and pages do… hope that’s a help.

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/Veron7500/2c3421f6-04a4-4fd4-999c-05447aefeeaen%40googlegroups.com.

[Radek SQ5GLU]

Thanks!

best 73

Radek

[Radek SQ5GLU]

Hi,

Just one more question, rather important one: is the Android app capable of running in the background, to keep the APRS updates alive (so for example I can run other app in the foreground, like Maps or anything needed at the time)?

best 73

Radek

[Marnoch Standen]

Hi

 

The app needs to be running as it gets its position and location from the phone GPS, so yes the app should be ok to run unless your phone puts the app to sleep.

The phone has to be within BT range for it to send its position.

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/Veron7500/021c43c6-3030-42ed-a530-bcd7350928c8n%40googlegroups.com.

[Bryan]

Yup, I have no problem when the phone goes to sleep.  The app continues to function.

However, for my android phone, in order for the phones location to continue to be updated after the phone went to sleep, I needed to allow the location settings to always be on for the app.  See this conversation:

https://groups.google.com/g/Veron7500/c/fLH0b_C7ubA

Bryan, KF1D