Problem with Map Datum with a IC-2820

[AA3JC]

Hi,

I seem to be having a problem with the GPS corrodinates that are being sent to APRS and to my 2820 display no matter what GPS Datum. I tried all 224 of them and none are reporting my correct position on APRS or the display. Using #102 for Eastern USA is about the closest but it has me driving off road thru lakes (yah I would like to see that in real life)!  If I use #000 its even worse.  I have a Kenwood D710 also in the car and it works correctly.  If you go on http://aprs.fi/?addr=19440&mt=roadmap&z=11&timerange=43200 and zoom in some and you may need to change the time to either 12 or 24 hours but you will see my Kenwood in orange (tracking on the correct road) and my Icom in Purple about 1/2 mile to the north driving thru the woods and thru peoples homes!!!!!!

I am located as you can see from the google map located in PA north of Philadelphia so the GPS Datum should be right using 102.  Did I miss another setting?  Both the lat & long are off by about 20-30 seconds.

Any suggestions? 

Joe AA3JC

[AA3JC]

Took awhile but I got the answer!  There is nothing wrong with my IC-2820 GPS.  I have 2 problems one in the setup that is causing part of the problem and the other is something that cant be fixed until there are more D-Star Repeaters I can hit from my location.

1.  The 1 and only setting for APRS position reports to be correct in the IC-2820 "GPS Map Datum" setting for use in the US is "0".

2.  My map issue is actually caused by the fact that I am at best in a fringe area to the one D-Star repeater that I can hit from my location.  As a result, only 2 packets out of 15-20 are getting thru the D-Star gateway.  Once APRS gets these it draws a line between the points it gets and as a result shows me off track!  Makes sense to me! 

Now to the fix:  Wait for more D-Star repeaters to come on line in my area or install a Hot Spot!  I know another D-Star repeater that should be on air in August AA3E located at our County EOC and this should help fix more of my problem!  I am also going to look into a Hot Spot to assist with better coverage into Bucks and Montgomery County PA even with AA3E going on-air soon.

Hope this info helps someone else!

Joe- AA3JC