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Alinco DR-135TP Setup for APRS

Setup tips for the Alinco DR-135TP. This will also work with the DR-235 and DR-435 if equipped with the EJ-41U TNC Board.

Alinco DR-135TP Setup for APRS

The Alinco DR-135TP is an economical space saving device for use with APRS or  packet. It combines a VHF 2m radio with an internal TNC. It doesn't support all of the commands as a regular TNC but what is there is adequate for APRS and light packet use. Reportedly there are issues using KISS mode but that is an option I didn't try. This radio can also be had in 220Mhz (DR-135T) and 440Mhz (DR-435T) flavors. Both of which will take the Internal EJ-41U TNC board.

I have used the Alinco as a standalone tracker in my truck with excellent results. I have also used it in the house as a base station with UI-VIEW32 software and had no problems whatsoever. The setup info for both applications can be found below. You can also download my DR135 command files for use with UI-VIEW32. One will be for base or mobile applications. This will allow you to switch from base to mobile and back without having to manually enter commands into the TNC. UI-VIEW32 will do it all for you. The other will allow you to use the Alinco and UI-VIEW together while mobile.

Alinco to computer communications

I use Hyperterminal to communicate with the Alinco's built in TNC.

Hyperterminal should be on your system already if you are using windows. Start Hyperterminal. On my system this is done by clicking Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Hyperterminal -> Hyperterminal.exe

  1. Click on File then New Connection.
    The Connection Description dialogue will pop-up.  Enter DR135TP and choose an icon. when done click OK.

  2. Now you will see the Connect To dialogue. Choose "Direct to Com1" or whatever Com port you will be using. Click OK

  3. You can now enter the connection properties. Choose the options listed below and click OK.

    Bits Per Second: 9600
    Data Bits: 8
    Parity: None
    Stop bits: 1
    Flow Control: Xon/Xoff

  4. You should now see a blank terminal window with a cusor blinking in the upper left. Turn your Alinco on and put it into data mode. You will see the TNCs message flash on the screen. The commands you need to enter are below. When done Close Hyperterminal. You will be asked if you are sure you want to disconnect. Choose Yes. You will also be asked to save the DR135TP file. Choose yes. That way you only have to double click the DR135TP.ht file next time instead of going through the whole setup process again. You should now be all set. Go drive around and see how it works.

Standalone Tracker

I always start with the RESET command.

MYCALL your call with ssid (I use N2YQT-14)
GBAUD 4800
GPSTEXT $GPRMC
LOCATION EVERY x (x=seconds divided by 10, use whatever u want.
the QST article says to use 60 seconds so enter 6.)
UNPROTO APRS VIA <your digi path> (I use RELAY,WIDE)
FLOW OFF
LTMHEAD OFF 
LPATH GPSxx VIA < Substitute xx for what you want your
icon to look like, MV is a car, LK is a pickup. see
link below for more. After via put your digi path
I just use WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1>
AUTOLF OFF
LTMON 10
ECHO OFF

So I would enter:
RESET
MYCALL N2YQT-14
GBAUD 4800
GPSTEXT $GPRMC
LOCATION EVERY 6
UNPROTO APRS VIA WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
FLOW OFF
LTMHEAD OFF 
LPATH GPSLK VIA WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
AUTOLF OFF
LTMON 10
ECHO OFF

APRS GPSxx symbols look at bottom of chart -
http://www.nwaprs.info/mobilesettings.htm

DR135TP.ht file for Hyperterminal -
http://qsl.net/n2yqt/alinco/DR135TP.ht

 

UI-VIEW32 Setup

You will need to create a command file or edit one of the current ones. I copied the TNC2 file and deleted the commands that don't purtain to the DR-135TP. I saved it as DR135.CMD. You can download mine here.This file will allow UI-VIEW32 to use the internal TNC for base and mobile setups. When you exit UI-VIEW32 it will program the TNC to act as a standalone tracker. You will need to edit it for your symbol and digi path. This is what your command file should look like

;Alinco DR-135TP command file.


[SETUP]
;DON'T alter anything in this section unless you
;are sure you know what you are doing!
COMMAND_PROMPT=cmd:
COMMAND_CHARACTER_CODE=3
ESCAPE_CHARACTER_CODE=
CONV_COMMAND=CONV
MYCALL_COMMAND="MYCALL "
UNPROTO_COMMAND="UNPROTO "
NO_BEACON_COMMAND=BEACON EVERY 0

[INIT_COMMANDS]
ECHO OFF
AWLEN 8
BEACON EVERY 0
MON ON
MCOM ON
CONOK OFF
LTMON 10
LOC E 0
GBAUD 4800
GPSTEXT $GPRMC
LTMHEAD ON

[EXIT_COMMANDS]
LOC E 6
UNPROTO APRS VIA WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
FLOW OFF
LTMHEAD OFF
LPATH GPSLK VIA WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
AUTOLF OFF

 

Setup UI-VIEW32 as you would for a normal base setup. Enter your Lat/Long for your QTH. Enter your digi path in the uproto address area.   For the Beacon Interval you can set it to beacon at set minute intervals or by mileage. Select the Icon you want to use under GPS Symbol.

Next go to GPS setup and chose the same Com port the radio is using. Make sure "GPS Enabled" is selected and then click the "Shared Port Setup" button. Select "TH-D7" and click OK.

Now when UI-VIEW32 recieves GPS data it will switch to mobile mode. You can monitor the GPS data by going to Action -> ShowGPS Input.

Enjoy!