ARF (which stands for (A)mateur (R)epeater (F)inder), is a cool little *application* for a device for mobile Amateur Radio operators. It makes use of GPS location data to find and display up to 16 nearby repeaters. ARF holds the entire ARRL directory for 10m, 6m, 2m, 70cm, 33cm, 23cm, and 1.25m repeaters and allows you to configure any combination of these in its search. Included in the database entry for each repeater is everything you need to use it. That includes output frequency, offset (including non-standard values), and CTCSS (PL) tone frequencies. Using this information, ARF can program your radio's VFO to any of the located repeaters. Of course, your radio must support external "CAT" control for this feature!
Other configuration parameters let you:
* Set the search radius.
* Set the maximum number of repeaters in the "found" list.
* Have ARF sound the call sign of each repeater in Morse.
* Scan at a user-selectable and on-the-fly rate, from 30s down to 250mS.
* Determine how often ARF searches for repeaters.
* Determine whether ARF displays the callsign of each repeater in its list or freq.
...and much more!
ARF has extensive support for Morse code, so that you can listen to various information at the tone and speed that's comfortable for you. ARF uses its built-in speaker to let you know when certain things happen, such as when it has located a list of repeaters and when it can't, when you've selected a new menu item, when it has moved to another repeater during a scan, etc.
All of ARF's features can be accessed using a powerful, simple user interface, centered around a rotary encoder. This encoder and two supporting "soft" buttons allow you to control any of ARF's capabilities.
It's a Kit!
All my life, I've loved to build kits. When I was younger, I loved to build model cars, electronics kits and other construction projects. A few years back, I built an Elecraft KX1 (tm) QRP transceiver kit and simply loved it. It's that love of constuction that led me to develop ARF as a kit that anyone with moderate soldering skills could successfully complete. It only has two surface-mount components and those are already soldered on for you! The rest of the kit consists of through-hole technology parts, so building ARF is an enjoyable experience. I've tried hard to keep the number of components to a minimum and to make the design as simple as the functions I wanted would allow.
You Have Options...
ARF can be built and installed into any enclosure that you see fit. You can also use your own external RS232-enabled GPS to provide it with your current location. However for those who want a complete solution, ARF is offered in three configurations:
1. The Basic Kit
In this configuration, the ARF kit consists of the circuit board and all the electronic components to let you use an external GPS. No case is included.
2. ARF with an on-board GPS
This option adds an on-board GPS module and external antenna. Using this option, the ARF doesn't have to depend on an external GPS. This also helps to eliminate "splitter cables" or other similar contrivances in order to allow a GPS to be used by more than one device. When ARF is equipped with its on-board GPS, all data coming from that GPS is available internally to ARF and externally to other devices you choose, via its pluggable terminal block connector. For example, if you have a Kenwood D700 or some other APRS tracking device, this is an excellent feature.
3. ARF with a custom-punched Hammond (tm) case
The case is available for either of the above configurations. It has a custom top plate, punched specifically for ARF, to provide a professional-looking installation.