So, you have an APRS capable radio and need to get it set up. Here is some helpful information along with some other Tips and Tricks for APRS.
If you’re new to APRS and would like an introduction to it, click here.
YouTube links to setup APRS on popular rigs that have built-in APRS capabilities:
Yes, you can use an interface such as a DigiRig to use a radio without APRS capabilities, but there are a number of rigs today with built-in APRS capabilities. Some of the following radios will beacon APRS positions, others have the ability to send and receive messages.
Here are some links on how to setup some of the popular rigs that have APRS built-in:
| Alinco | |
| DJ-MD5 HT | https://tinyurl.com/3p8dt2wr |
| Anytone | |
| AT-878 HT | https://tinyurl.com/4rtk4fve |
| AT-578 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/2rwu79sf |
| Kenwood | |
| TH-D74/75 HT | https://tinyurl.com/5xexdmzb |
| TM-D710 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/8u9c9vc3 |
| OpenGD77 | |
| OpenGD77 Radios | https://tinyurl.com/yzkn7epp |
| Yaesu | |
| FT1D HT | https://tinyurl.com/y4djy9fn |
| FT2D HT | https://tinyurl.com/5b3evcj |
| FT3D HT | https://tinyurl.com/5b3evcj |
| FT5D HT | https://tinyurl.com/ye2anz22 |
| FTM100 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/5dcfnj84 |
| FTM200 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/4tbm85pr |
| FTM300 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/29w9nvrp |
| FTM400 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/pebvtf9y |
| FTM500 Mobile | https://tinyurl.com/4t7pbm45 |
Where can you watch APRS activity?
Monitoring APRS activity on a map is fun and useful. Emergency communications, as well as public event communications utilize APRS maps to track where volunteers are.
Here are some links where you can monitor live APRS activity (aprs.fi is the most popular).
https://aprs.fi
https://aprs-map.info
https://aprsdirect.de
https://aprs.to
APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), it’s more than just locations.
APRS is helpful with emergency communications and locating amateurs on the map. APRS can allow you to send and receive messages, request information such as weather forecasts, as well as store and forward messages to someone you know that may not have their station on the air at all times.
Below you will find some services you can benefit from on APRS. If you’d like to see the status (up/down) of some of these services, checkout the dashboard at https://aprs.hemna.com/
ANSRVR
Announcement group server – join groups and send announcements to members with similar interests
ANSRVR is similar to CQSRVR but allows you to quietly remain joined to a group. ANSRVR is a great way to send announcements to people interested in the same thing
Learn more about this APRS service at: http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc:ansrvr
APRSThursday
You can check-in on Nets with APRS!
Every Thursday there is an APRS Net called #APRSThursday.
Learn more about this net at https://tinyurl.com/7c7h7ya4
APSPOT
One-stop shop for self-spotting activations (POTA, SOTA, WWFF, etc) via APRS
APSPOT stands for APRS SPOT. APSPOT is a new APRS system designed to provide a one-stop shop for self spotting activations via APRS, to the myriad of activity based spotting systems out there.
SPOT yourself on parksnpeaks.org when out in the field running WWFF, SOTA or POTA activations, via APRS.
Learn more about this APRS service at: https://apspot.radio/
DAPNET
You can send a message from APRS to DAPNET
APTDAP is a gateway between the APRS system and DAPNET POCSAG. It allows you
to send a DAPNET POCSAG message using only an APRS equipped radio.
Message Information Required
Each APTDAP message requires:
• A Destination Callsign
• A Message
In your APRS application or radio set the destination callsign to APTDAP. This is not the call you want to
send the message to but the GATEWAY call. The callsign you are sending then message to is set in the
message text as shown below in the formatting section.
Formatting of Parameters
<DEST CALLSIGN> <MESSAGE> [STATUS]
Parameters may be separated by a comma <,> or a simple space as above. [ ] denote an optional
parameter.
Test Mode (admin only)
A message only containing TEST will not be passed to DAPNET but will be logged by APTDAP system for
debugging.
More detailed information on using this method can be found by clicking here
Send an email message via APRS:
This one is pretty straightforward. Send a message to EMAIL and in the body of the message, type in the first email address, a space, and your message to be sent.
For example:
To: EMAIL
Msg: joesmith@aol.com Hey Joe, I don’t have power or Internet. I am ok
For more information, see the YouTube video at https://tinyurl.com/yvb3kvar
JOKE
Get a random joke sent to you:
This one is pretty straightforward. Send a message to JOKE and in the body of the message, type in the whether you want a random joke or a dad joke.
For example:
To: JOKE
Msg: dadjoke
In place of dadjoke you can enter just joke or borat (for a Borat Joke)
MPAD
Provides APRS services such as global wx forecasts, repeater queries, email position reporting, etc.:
There are quite a few different parameters for this APRS server such as wx, metar, repeater, whereis, whereami, satpass, riseset,cwop.
Examples:
For the weather forecast:
To: MPAD
Msg: wx
There are a lof of different parameters for this one. Learn more at https://github.com/joergschultzelutter/mpad/blob/master/docs/EXAMPLES.md
NTSGTE
Gateway to send radiograms to the National Traffic System (NTS) via APRS:
Want to send an NTS message via APRS? Well, you can!
Example:
To: NTSGTE
Msg: info
Learn more at https://nts2.arrl.org/ntsgte-an-aprs-nts-gateway/
QRX
Missed message mailbox. Holds msgs you miss while offline.
This one has a number of parameters which I am sure you will find worthwhile.
For more information on the proper syntax, visit https://qrx.forkum.net/
REPEAT
Don’t have access to the Internet but need to find local repeaters? All you need is a radio with APRS send/receive and you can find the closest ones:
This one has a few parameters. Send a message to REPEAT and in the body of the message, type in the band and number of repeaters you’d like, up to 10.
For example (to find the closest ten 2 meter repeaters: n 10 2m
For more information on the proper syntax, visit https://aprs-repeat.hemna.com/#help
SMS
Send an SMS message to family/friends when other commercial power and/or phones are not available:
If you have the capability using an interface or radio that can send APRS messages, you can send a message to MAIL. In the body, use @phonenumber and your message and your SMS message will be sent to the @phonenumber you entered. Here is an example:
To: SMS
Msg: @8137051234 Hello Steve, all is ok. We have no power, Internet, or phone.
For more information on how this works, see the YouTube video at https://tinyurl.com/4carfc5y
USING APPS WITHOUT A RADIO
You can use APRS even if you don’t have a radio or interface for APRS!
There are applications (apps) for your phone, whether it be an iPhone or Android, to use APRS.
For the iPhone, these apps are available in the AppStore:
* APRS.fi app
* Pocket Packet
* APRS Pro
* and others….
For Android, you’ll find APRSDroid in the Play Store. APRSDroid is simply the best APRS application for any mobile device. It can also be used with APRS-IS or connected to a radio via Bluetooth or a cable from your phone.
WINLINK
Get notified you have Winlink messages and read Winlink messages via APRS:
There is a little more to this process, so it would be good to watch the video at https://tinyurl.com/n9r4hhr5
WXBOT
Get weather forecasts off-the-grid via APRS using WXBOT or WXYO:
An example of receiving a weather forecast for your area would be to send a message to WXBOT and in the body of the text, put in your zip code. (You can also search using other criteria such as airport code, etc.)
For example:
To: WXBOT
Msg: 33806
This will return the weather for zip code 33806.
For more information, see the YouTube video at https://tinyurl.com/45pk4n76
X
You can send a message from APRS to X (formerly Twitter)
There is an APRS to X unidirectional Gateway allowing you to send a message from APRS to X. Send your APRS message to WA1GOV-10 and your callsign and message will be posted on X by @wa1gov
Where can you learn more about APRS?
You’ll find more information at http://aprs.org
Wondering what to set your SSID as? Check out https://wwwaprs.org/aprs11/SSIDs.txt
Also, check out the YouTube video titled “What is APRS and how to use it on your ham radio at https://tinyurl.com/bder3stf