APRS iGate on TP-Link TL-WR1043ND Using APRX

This document is on setting up APRS Internet Gateway using a TP-Link router box model TL-WR1043ND using APRX software.

I. Preparation Step:

1). acquire the box

2). acquire the necessary software:

a). OpenWrt, we are going to replace the original TP-Link firmware with OpenWrt.

Link to the latest firmware: http://downloads.openwrt.org/backfire/10…

b). Putty, this is the software to do ssh (secure shell) to configure the box after loaded with OpenWrt.

Download link: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtat…

II. Install OpenWrt

This instruction assumes that the box is brand-new from the store with original firmware.

1. Plug the power supply to the box to turn it up
2. Plug an Ethernet cable from your laptop to one of the LAN port of the 1043ND box
3. Open your web browser, and go to http://192.168.1.1
4. login with admin and password admin
5. On the left menu list, click on \”System Tools\” then \”Firmware Upgrade\”, then browse to where you store the downloaded OpenWrt firmware
6. Click on OK and click on Upgrade, then wait for 3 to 5 minutes for the process to finish.
7. Wait for the box to reboot, and then go back to http://192.168.1.1 , you will see the OpenWrt login page.
8. Login as root with password admin

III. Login Setup

This is the step to enable us to get the command line interface of OpenWrt

1. Using putty, telnet (do not SSH yet) to the box (192.168.1.1)
2. You’ll get straight in to the box
3. Change the root password, to enable ssh (secure shell):

• type passwd
• you type in the password
• then retype the password to reconfirm

1. Using putty again, login to the box using ssh mode, login with root and the new password.

IV. Install Serial Drivers

In this step, we are going to install the necessary serial port utilities and drivers. As the space is limited in the box, do not blindly install all usb-serial drivers.

1. If needed, ssh login to the box
2. type “opkg update”, to update the database of opkg app.
3. type “opkg install usbutils”, for serial utilities
4. for Prolific 2302 based USB-serial cable, type “opkg install kmod-usb-serial-pl2303”
5. type “dmesg” to confirm that the driver found the USB-Serial adapter, as shown installed as “ttyUSB0”

V. Install and Setup APRX Software

1. login to the box, using ssh
2. type “opkg update”
3. type “opkg install aprx”
4. edit /etc/aprx.conf

• edit parameter “mycall” with your callsign
• fill server with rotate.aprs.net 14580
• or for Indonesia, please use aldimori.orari.or.id 14580
• filter, fill with the appropriate filter, e.g. “m/100”
• Fill the beacon section, as appropriate
• Setup the radio port, delimited by and line
• use ‘/dev/ttyUSB0’ as the interface to the TNC
• note: set your TNC as KISS mode

VI. Start APRX and Check

1. /etc/init.d/aprx start
2. Use your web browser to:

• http://rotate.aprs.net:14501
• http://aldimori.orari.or.id:14501/

1. and read the last line, see that your callsign is there

VII. Setting up Automatic Start

• Edit the file /etc/rc.local, and add
• /etc/init.d/aprx start

The Result

THE END