AT Golden Packet 2023
Countdown
ATGP 2023 Kickoff!!!
March 27, 2023
AT Golden Packet 2023 is coming! Be a part of one of the coolest ham radio events there is! However, there are some very unique requirements. Trust us - there's a good reason for them!
This event is for licensed ham radio operators only - you must hold at least a Technician class license by the beginning of July 2023 to qualify.
The sign-up sheet is live - please review the list of sites for this year's event and provide your contact information so we can gauge interest.
For anyone that's never been part of a previous AT Golden Packet - we run the event in two phases:
AT Golden Packet 2023 is coming! Be a part of one of the coolest ham radio events there is! However, there are some very unique requirements. Trust us - there's a good reason for them!
This event is for licensed ham radio operators only - you must hold at least a Technician class license by the beginning of July 2023 to qualify.
The sign-up sheet is live - please review the list of sites for this year's event and provide your contact information so we can gauge interest.
For anyone that's never been part of a previous AT Golden Packet - we run the event in two phases:
Phase 1: ATGP Classic
Operators MUST have a Kenwood VHF/UHF radio with native APRS support.
The following models qualify for the event:
If you have a Kenwood radio other than the ones listed above - unfortunately, they do NOT qualify. Plain and simple. Sorry!
None of these Kenwood radios are manufactured any longer. The ones that are available command a very high price! Please do not rush out to buy one just to be part of the event! You can still participate in Phase 2 (see below)!
The following models qualify for the event:
- Kenwood TM-D700A
- Kenwood TM-D710A
- Kenwood TM-D710GA
- Kenwood TH-D72A
- This handheld is only a viable option for select sites in the Northeast that are geographically closer to each other.
- An HT will not provide sufficient power for communicating with adjacent sites throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast as they are much further apart from each other.
If you have a Kenwood radio other than the ones listed above - unfortunately, they do NOT qualify. Plain and simple. Sorry!
None of these Kenwood radios are manufactured any longer. The ones that are available command a very high price! Please do not rush out to buy one just to be part of the event! You can still participate in Phase 2 (see below)!
Phase 2: ATGP Next-Gen
The second phase of the AT Golden Packet is arguably the more exciting of the two! This is where hams can use a Raspberry Pi, with a high-quality audio interface, and a radio that provides access to the discriminator. If your radio has a data interface - then it likely has a discriminator).
ATGP certified the APRS Appliance (by Don AB1PH). The APRS Appliance was deployed at several of the ATGP sites during ATGP 2022 and was wildly successful! In fact, we determined that with the right hardware and Direwolf (a software-based TNC), that it is possible to get better results than purpose built hardware - like the aforementioned Kenwood radios!
The APRS Appliance build has some VERY specific requirements:
If you're willing to build an APRS Appliance to spec and have a radio that meets the qualifications - we'd love to have you!'
We will not allow for deviation from the standardized components listed above as they may yield undesirable results. Again, we selected the components for a reason. Please ensure that you are willing to procure and build an APRS Appliance to spec.[
ATGP certified the APRS Appliance (by Don AB1PH). The APRS Appliance was deployed at several of the ATGP sites during ATGP 2022 and was wildly successful! In fact, we determined that with the right hardware and Direwolf (a software-based TNC), that it is possible to get better results than purpose built hardware - like the aforementioned Kenwood radios!
The APRS Appliance build has some VERY specific requirements:
- Raspberry Pi Zero W/Zero 2W
- VHF Transceiver supporting 144.340/144.390 MHz - must provide access to the discriminator
- DINAH USB Audio Interface (this specific audio interface was selected due to its characteristics and high quality)
- Direwolf (development branch - not the version packaged with Raspberry Pi OS)
If you're willing to build an APRS Appliance to spec and have a radio that meets the qualifications - we'd love to have you!'
We will not allow for deviation from the standardized components listed above as they may yield undesirable results. Again, we selected the components for a reason. Please ensure that you are willing to procure and build an APRS Appliance to spec.[
ATGP 2023 Sign-Up Sheet
Working on embedding the sign-up sheet on this page.
Here is a link to the Google Sheets document in the meantime:
AT Golden Packet 2023 - Sign-Up Sheet: https://bit.ly/atgp23signup
Important! Please ONLY include the following details:
Do not include any additional information for privacy purposes!
Here is a link to the Google Sheets document in the meantime:
AT Golden Packet 2023 - Sign-Up Sheet: https://bit.ly/atgp23signup
Important! Please ONLY include the following details:
- First Name + First Initial of your Surname (Last Name)
- Callsign
- Home Location (City/State - based on your ham radio license)
Do not include any additional information for privacy purposes!
2023 Sites
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STNMTN: Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain, GA ***
SPRNGR: Mount Oglethorpe, Jasper, GA LKOUT: Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, TN *** CLNGMN: Clingmans Dome, Sevier County, TN ROAN: Roan Mountain, Carter County, TN COMERS: Comers Rock, Elk Creek, VA AOMTN: Apple Orchard Mountain, Bedford and Botetourt Counties, VA HWKSBL: Hawksbill Mountain, Madison and Page Counties, VA |
MDMTNS: Gambrill State Park, Frederick, MD
GDHILL: Mount Gretna, Mt. Gretna, PA CAMLBK: Camelback Mountain, Tannersville, PA SAMSPT: Sam's Point, Cragsmoor, NY BOVINA: Bovina Center, Bovina Center, NY GRYLCK: Mount Greylock, Berkshire County, MA EQINOX: Equinox Mountain, Manchester, VT MTWASH: Mount Washington, Cods County, NH KATHDN: Mount Katahdin, Piscataquis County, ME |
*** New sites for ATGP 2023 - these sites are under consideration and will tentatively be part of this year's event - first we need to gauge the level of interest in having hams activate these sites.
Additionally, we fully recognize these sites are not on the Appalachian Trail. We are looking at increasing the footprint of the event beyond the AT. These sites would be amongst the first!
Additionally, we fully recognize these sites are not on the Appalachian Trail. We are looking at increasing the footprint of the event beyond the AT. These sites would be amongst the first!
