Batboard

I have decided to try playing with APRS. But now i am at a loss on what is needed. i do have several 25 and 40 watt maxtracs in the right frequency range and i have 2 oncore GPS boaerds. the issue i am having is finding information on what else i need.
I know that an active antenna is on the list. it is the interface that i am at a loss at. everything i find is either discontinued or there is information missing. Has anyone done this before with the maxtrac and oncore? any help or information would be greatly appreciated. and yes i have googled it and get page after page of where to buy the oncore board.

Thnks very much.
Paul
KB2CRK

You will probably have to roll your own jig because the Oncore series is no longer available or supported by Motorola. There is a schematic for one at tapr.org under the discontinued products page. If you can fab a board and solder a few common parts, it is the way to go. OTOH, it may be best to use more current equipment that is still supported. TAPR can help you there too.

I am going to take a chance that you are really at the starting level here.
If not, please don't take offense.
I am not familiar with Oncore, if it is a basic GPS RX then between it and your radio you will need a TNC or a more simple APRS "encoder". The encoder works like a TNC, making the 1200 baud packet type data with your callsign, location, etc. to be fed into the Tx audio of your radio.
APRS encoders take the GPS ouputs, then convert that to useful "data" to transmit over the radio.
I have been using the various Byonics TinyTrak encoders for YEARS.
There are other encoders ( these don't RECEIVE ) they just transmit, and are great for a "Tracker".
And Byon also makes some that transmit and receive TinyTrak 4 I believe.
So do the other brands, and there are a few out there.
I started with standard TNC'S and a laptop many years ago, but I found I most often only want a tracker ( TX only ).
So I only run full two way APRS on long cross country trips.
Make sure whatever encoder or TNC product you get can use the type of GPS data your Oncore sends out.
Some only work with NMEA, some can use others if I remember correctly, and some only work with certain data rate coming from the GPS.
When I do the full TX and RX APRS I use the Kantronics KPC3 + and an old Win 98 laptop.
I have driven all the lower 48 states several times using just a 3 watt Icom 2AT to a 5/8 wave antenna cowl mounted and tracked pretty much everywhere. Once in awhile there are places ( very mountainous areas ) where you might not track for 50 miles or so. If not on Interstates, probably find some worse coverage areas, but few.
I have been really surprised how well even low power works.
At 25 watts, I would think that APRS would be really well covered, but I don't like the interference to my "voice" radio when a higher power APRS radio transmits.
I have the two radios and their two antennas set up for as good of "isolation" as I can get on a CRV, and with using an old HT for the APRS TX, I get very little desense most of the time.
It is a trade off that works for me.

This will be first attempt at APRS and a beginner I am. any info is greatly appreciated.
i will be looking into an encoder and was hoping to find out more info on the oncore gt unit. there are a ton of them for sale on the web at all different price ranges. if i can use them for this purpose then i will. if i find a cheaper alternative i may just sell them and move on, no great loss. i will be doing more research and hopefully be able to put aprs in the van. i have plenty of real estate on the roof of the caravan... lol

I have a ton of Oncore tools. If you have any doubts about a board, you can send it to me for analysis.