APRS

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_System:

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is an amateur radio-based system for real time digital communications of information of immediate value in the local area. Data can include object Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, weather station telemetry, text messages, announcements, queries, and other telemetry. APRS data can be displayed on a map, which can show stations, objects, tracks of moving objects, weather stations, search and rescue data, and direction finding data.

APRS fascinates me. I’ve always been interested in mesh-like systems, though I’m generally less interested in broadcasting my location!

I’ve played around a little with Xastir but struggled a little with configuration and setup.

I’m particularly interested in HF APRS, partly for the “international mesh” aspect, and partly because my HF setup is much better than my VHF setup…! So sites like https://sarcnet.org/aprs-for-hf.html and http://www.robust-packet.st/ have been interesting reading

Useful Links

• The official homepage, APRS.org: http://www.aprs.org/

• APRS.fi, a great web service for APRS: https://aprs.fi/

• Michael Martens’ Introduction to APRS: https://www.jpole-antenna.com/2018/09/17/introduction-to-aprs-the-automated-packet-reporting-system/

• GV7RD’s Simple HF Digipeater Howto: https://g7vrd.co.uk/simple-hf-aprs-digipeater-howto

Next Projects

• Adding transmit support to my receive-only APRS IGate

  • Though this is VHF not HF, it’s a nice way for me to get “on” APRS more and acquire knowledge for HF work