KD8PGB-2 FT-857d + Bluetooth+ Win8 Tablet = Winmor Mobile

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2015-04-26 14:13

Thought I would share my mobile setup, I spent a considerable amount of time researching and many said this could not be done. A Rigblaster Blue Bluetooth interface connecting my FT-857d and my Win 8 Tablet for both radio control and audio. The target was a mobile platform with as factory of an install as possible with zero wires and all of the capabilities of my QTH. The end result is a clean wire free (except the usb power cable to the tablet on the left side and the head feed for the FT-857d head) system that is capable of :
* APRS (beacons, messaging, email, using Direwolf as the TNC)
* HF RMS Express using Winmor (includes automatic tuning)
* PSK31 (windows software of your choice)
* HRD a little difficult to setup but can be used.

Of course I have turn by turn nav available (much lower cost than a standalone GPS), movies, news, internet, sat radio and more are all readily available as we hurl down the highway (my wife is of course doing the touching while I drive) . I will note that any items that come from the internet in real time (except email) are obtained by tethering the tablet to my cell phone. Of course this does not work where there is no cellular access, but of course previously downloaded movies and news are available as is live email via RMS Express and Winmor.

My hope is that my endeavors spurs other younger potential Amateurs into joining our ranks as they see how "cool" Amateur radio can be.

Image: 
Winmor on Truck Tablet
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