Yes, the much hinted-at APRSIS32 client for Windows on your desktop has now been released! However, don't throw out your cell-phone just yet. The desktop client doesn't support GPS nor real tracking, just a fixed location beacon. But the visibility is AMAZING!
Here's how to get it going.
1) Download APRSIS32091203.zip from the APRSISCE Yahoo Group files section.
2) Unzip into a directory of your choice.
3) Double-click the .EXE file.
4) Configure your callsign-ssid (make it different from your phone!) and you might want to expand the Range and/or add a few additional filter sections. The client will automatically make a Me filter (only works if you allow it to beacon with both GPS and Tracking enabled) as well as adding a Range filter around the screen center if you drag it around. Click accept when you're done.
5) Select or create a directory into which the OSM tiles will be saved (mine weighs in at 756 MB, but I've been zooming in and out all over the world). I use OSMTiles as a sub-directory of the directory containing the .EXE. Click Save when you have it in the right place.
6) Drag the map around and zoom in on your home location. Make sure you have it centered in the circle (size the window smaller if you need to).
7) Close the program. This will record the center location as your "Home" coordinates to be used for beaconing. If you need to change this, you can edit the APRSIS32.XML file located in the directory, but make sure the client is NOT RUNNING! Otherwise your changes will be overwritten when the client exits.
8) Restart the client and have fun!
Post any questions, problems, or suggestions here. Also please post if you've downloaded it and are using it. If things look good in a week or two I'll de-cloak it into some of the other APRS mailing lists and Yahoo groups.
Please do NOT distribute the program but invite your friends to join this Yahoo Group and download their own copy. That way they'll receive update notifications and have a line to the developer to report problems and ask questions.
Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile AND Win32!
