ML&S RADIO GUIDE   /   VHF & UHF

The £119.95 APRS Handheld You Might Have Overlooked

Meet the VGC VR-N76: a compact dual-band handheld combining traditional analogue radio with GPS, Bluetooth, APRS and an integrated AX.25 KISS TNC.

From £119.95, price and availability subject to change

There is no shortage of affordable 2m and 70cm handhelds. What makes the VGC VR-N76 interesting is what it can do beyond ordinary voice communications.

Alongside up to 5W RF output, it offers integrated GPS, Bluetooth app control, APRS functions and an AX.25-compatible KISS TNC. That combination makes it a compelling starting point for packet radio and location-based applications, without requiring a separate external TNC.

For someone interested in modern mapping software, portable operation and experimenting with data over amateur radio, there is plenty to explore.

APRS AND PACKET RADIO

APRS without an external TNC

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) lets radio amateurs exchange position reports, short messages and other small amounts of data using radio. The VR-N76 combines satellite positioning with a hardware AX.25 KISS TNC, opening up uses beyond ordinary handheld voice operation.

With compatible software, the KISS interface provides a Bluetooth route for packet data between the radio and your phone or computer. That can make portable APRS mapping and messaging considerably tidier than a setup requiring separate audio and modem hardware.

Smart Beaconing can adjust position-report intervals according to movement, rather than relying solely on a fixed timer. As with any APRS station, make sure your callsign, frequency, path and beacon settings are appropriate for the network you are using.

THIRD-PARTY INTEGRATION

Explore mapping with ATAK

One of the more unusual possibilities for the VR-N76 is pairing it with compatible third-party software built around ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit).

ATAK is a mapping and situational-awareness platform capable of displaying locations, routes, waypoints and other shared information. Suitable community-developed integrations may allow the VR-N76 to form part of a radio-linked mapping setup, particularly interesting for experimentation, outdoor activities and group communications.

CONNECTED OPERATION

Your phone becomes part of the station

THE RIGHT FIT

Who is the VR-N76 for?

If all you need is an inexpensive handheld for local repeater contacts, a simpler radio may do the job. The VR-N76 becomes particularly appealing if you want to experiment with:

MAKE IT YOURS

Seven colour options

The VR-N76 range is offered in Olive Green, Black, Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue and Red. Select your preferred variant on the ML&S product page.

DISCOVER THE VR-N76

An affordable handheld with room to experiment

From everyday 2m and 70cm contacts to APRS, Bluetooth packet applications and GPS-based projects, the VR-N76 offers a lot to explore in a single compact transceiver.