Open Tracker USB

Decided to purchase an Open Tracker USB APRS tracker and over the past few weeks have been playing around with it. I initially purchased the tracker by itself, but after ordering decided to also purchase the adaptor cable to connect into my Yaesu 7R handheld.  So wasted a week waiting.  I could have made my own cable, but really wasn't in the mood.

Open Tracker USB comes with a few different options for power, I decided to order it with the cig lighter as I could cut it off and connect a battery power source.

To configure the device you plug in a USB cable and run the provided configuration tool. It is very easy to configure with an example config that I used on www.aprs.net.au

When using the USB cable your computer will power the tracker. However for the first test I connected the tracker to a 12v DC power supply and hooked my Garmin 18x PC GPS up. Straight away I could see blinking lights but didn't really know what they meant at the time. So assumed things were ok.

Later when I received the correct cable for the vx-7r I was able to see that the vx-7r was sending out a signal. Though it was sending something I still didn't know if it was working. My call wasn't appearing on any APRS maps, but I'm hoping this is because my handheld is unable to get a decent signal out.

Made up a 12v DC battery pack with AA's and connected it up to power the GPS and tracker. All looks good. Decided to take the tracker for a walk to see if a change in location would get a better signal out. However on packing it, I must have damaged the mic cable as I no longer get any transmit.  Damn....
I can see the trackers red light solidly lit , when trying to transmit, but no TX on the radio.

Currently pulling the connector apart to see if I can revive it, otherwise I'll have to purchase another plug. Almost melted the thing with the hot iron. My soldering skills unfortunately are lacking good experience. Anyway we'll see what happens.