VX-8GR serial port output?

[Brlux]

So on page 157 of the VX-8GR operators manual it shows a serial port cable with the same pin out as the cables used on Kenwood radios. It states that the port can be set to "Output Waypoint data of received APRS beacon" and it shows a picture of the radio being plugged into a Laptop.

Has anyone actually plugged a VX-8GR into a computer or external GPS and had any luck getting it to output anything useful? I can't find anyone online who has used this feature or any documentation on the output text. Which APRS programs will recognize the output?

Thanks
KC7LED

 

[Moleculo]

Interesting. I completely missed the fact that the VX-8GR can do this. That is an additional function that it can do over the other VX-8r models. I would like to see them transform the VX-8DR into a unit with the GPS built in, include that output capability and add digipeating. It would be the perfect APRS handheld.

 

[Brlux]

I am trying to decide between the VX-8GR and the TH-D72. For my application I am mainly using it to track high altitude balloons using APRS and we fly a crosband repeater on our balloon. My dream come true would be a single radio that can talk through the crosband while tracking the balloon and output the data to a APRS mapping program such as UI-View.

How does the VX-8GR do navigating to a received station beacon?

I like that my other Yaesu accesories speaker mike, head set, and Motorcycle headset will work with the 8GR.

The 8GR appears to be more environment proof / rugged than the D72, anyone else have an opinion on that?

 

[Brlux]

So I got my GR today and here is what I have found.

You can set the serial port to output your current position,
$GPRMC,033415.000,A,3323.4865,N,11148.3687,W,0000.00,162.80,171210,,*21
$GPGGA,033416.000,3323.4865,N,11148.3687,W,1,05,01.7,00387.9,M,-026.5,M,000.0,0000*40
$GPGGA,033417.000,3323.4865,N,11148.3687,W,1,05,01.7,00387.8,M,-026.5,M,000.0,0000*40
$GPRMC,033417.000,A,3323.4865,N,11148.3687,W,0000.00,162.80,171210,,*23
$GPGGA,033418.000,3323.4865,N,11148.3687,W,1,05,01.7,00387.7,M,-026.5,M,000.0,0000*40
$GPGGA,033419.000,3323.4865,N,11148.3687,W,1,05,01.7,00387.6,M,-026.5,M,000.0,0000*40

Or you can set it to output received stations as waypoints,
$GPWPL,3333.14,N,11210.92,W,K7TEJ*73
$GPWPL,3334.11,N,11208.83,W,N7XDK-9*65
$GPWPL,3313.10,N,11152.62,W,W7SGK-9*73
$GPWPL,3334.12,N,11208.82,W,N7XDK-9*67
$GPWPL,3313.10,N,11150.47,W,W7SGK-9*76
$GPWPL,3335.93,N,11211.15,W,K7TEJ*74
$GPWPL,3329.54,N,11138.44,W,KB0BWG-1*2E
$GPWPL,3334.10,N,11208.83,W,N7XDK-9*64
$GPWPL,3336.89,N,11211.14,W,K7TEJ*7D
$GPWPL,3337.50,N,11211.13,W,K7TEJ*7F
$GPWPL,3334.10,N,11208.83,W,N7XDK-9*64

I plugged it into an older hand held Garmin Etrex Vista and was seeing each new station pop up in the waypoint list.

FYI you will want to back up all of your points of interest before doing this because it will be pollute by tons of received stations. When finished you can delete all way points and then restore your points of interest.

If you are running in this configuration with an external GPS plugged in you can set the serial port to receive GPS information and then turn off the internal GPS on the radio thus saving battery.

 

[Moleculo]

The 8GR appears to be more environment proof / rugged than the D72, anyone else have an opinion on that?

The 8GR is not submersible like it's more expensive siblings. I have the D72 and it seems pretty rugged, as well. I guess time till tell, but I don't think either is going to have a problem standing up to the typical day to day abuse that a handheld will experience.