Automatic Beaconing?

[KJ4JSU]

Is there such a thing as automatic beaconing? I seem to get numerous daily calls (I were told beacons) from a couple stations and they generaly originate from 2820 systems based on the received message. I suppose there is a way to turn this off at the originating station? Do the 2820's come with this on as a default?

I use 800H and 91AD.

Thanks for any info.

[n5ebw]

Yes, there is an automatic beaconing feature that the 2820 can utilize.  Most of us do not, though, since it transmits coordinates whenever we key down anyway.

I don't think it's on by default, and I believe it will only work with the GPS receiver plugged in.

[Pete AE5PL]

With D-STAR just like with FM, you will see everyone's transmissions.  This means that you will see the transmissions of people with radios that have GPS beaconing on (and using the radio's serial data port).  Because D-STAR is a streaming protocol, not a packet protocol, I recommend that beaconing never be set for faster than every 5 minutes and should be turned off if the person is active on voice.

Hope this helps.

73,

Pete AE5PL