Bicycle mobile on the Hilly Hundred With APRS

[Digital_photog]

I think a few of you know that I have taken up serious bike riding to get into better condition. I needed a challenge to keep me at the riding. I decided to do several 100 mile weekend rides. One in Sept in Michigan and the Hilly Hundred in southern Indiana in October.
Since the communications/SAG director of the Hilly Hundred was originally from our local area I have been talking to him about helping out. He said he needs help bad enough that he convinced me to drive a SAG vehicle one day and only ride the bike for one day. I have been working on a bike mobile setup for the day I am riding. Last night to test it out I went on a 25 mile ride. Decided I need a better APRS antenna. A friend was checking on APRS for me and could only receive me for about 3 miles. He doesn't have a great antenna system...only mounted about 15 ft above the ground.

Now for the pics.
Bike with HT, GPS, bike computer and APRS.

Handlebar setup. HT, GPS and computer

GPS box. 1/4 wave mag mount will be changed to a 1/2 wave larsen with a permanent NMO mount. The small ground plane and 1/4 wave antenna aren't enough.

Inside the box. IC2AT TT4 and 7ah LiFe battery. Rack, box and contents weigh about 5 lbs.

The Hilly Hundred - Brought to you by CIBA

 

[Sailor]

Nice set up. Going to be tough in between those hills getting a signal out regardless of the antenna.

 

[Digital_photog]

Nice set up. Going to be tough in between those hills getting a signal out regardless of the antenna.

I know it is. I think they will be setting up a portable digipeater in the middle of the course for sunday. They want all moving SAG vehicles to have APRS. Duane did tell me that a 2 meter HT will get into the repeater they use for most of the course. Both radios will have 5 watts. They have used APRS for several years now and do find it useful. I don't expect every packet to get through but with transmitting my location every 2 minutes i hope enough make it to give them a good idea where I am on the course.

 

[Sailor]

I remember seeing them tracking all the SAG's last year. 5000 riders is a lot to manage.

 

[Digital_photog]

I remember seeing them tracking all the SAG's last year. 5000 riders is a lot to manage.

Will you be riding?

 

[SideArmed]

When you are in town for the 100, let me know, I live just a couple miles from the high school where they start at. I had a goal to try and ride in it this year, but I think that is one I will have to keep working on for next year.

Good luck.

 

[Sailor]

Will you be riding?

Not this year.