Originally known as “Automatic Position Reporting System” but renamed by its creator, APRS is an amateur radio based digital communications system for local, regional, or long-distance (as in the case of HF APRS) tactical, real-time exchange of information among all members of a net, including map based displays for situational awareness. It was developed by Bob Bruninga (WB4APR), who currently works at the United States Naval Academy. He maintains the main.
Automatic Position Reporting System
APRS is an amateur radio based digital communications system for local, tactical, real-time exchange of information among all members of a net, including map based displays for stiuational awareness. It was developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, who currently works at the United States Naval Academy.
Capabilities
APRS is used to transmit real-time information such as messages, bulletins, announcements and the locations of any stations or objects via amateur packet radio protocols. Real-time reporting of station position for mobiles is facilitated using the Global Positioning System. APRS is capable of transmitting a wide variety of data including weather reports, short text messages, radio direction finding bearings, telemetry data, and storm forecasts. These reports can be combined with a computer and mapping software to show the transmitted data superimposed on a variety of map displays.
Technical Information
In its most widely used form APRS is transported over the air using the AX.25 protocol at 1200 baud Bell 202 audio frequency-shift keying on frequencies located in the amateur 2-meter band. An extensive digital repeater, or digipeater network provides transport for APRS packets on these frequencies. Internet gateway stations (i-Gates) connect the on-air APRS network to the APRS Internet System (APRS-IS), which serves as a worldwide, high-bandwidth backbone for APRS data. Stations can tap into this stream directly. Databases connected to the APRS-IS allow web-based access to the data as well as more advanced data mining capabilities. A number of low-earth orbiting satellites and the International Space Station are capable of relaying APRS data.
Introduction
APRS is used to transmit real-time information such as messages, bulletins, announcements and the locations…
APRS Uses
A station can be a transmit-only tracker, it can be a tracker and a weather station, it can be a combined I-Gate, weather station and digipeater. There are all sorts of combinations. Find out more in this section.
Software
In this section you will find different software for different APRS application. From server application and X.25 software to software targeted at mobiles systems, Windows, Mac or Linux.
Hardware
Find more information about APRS-capable transceivers, digipeaters, trackers, and sensors.
Protocol
The APRS protocol itself is defined in the APRS Specification prepared by the APRS Working Group. There is also a collection of errata, addendums, recommendations, etc.
Weather
Citizen Weather Observing Program (CWOP) uses the APRS-IS to collect weather data from citizens with personal weather stations and send these data to users around the country.
Paths
Your packets have to be delivered to their destination. PATHS settings are the ones that take care of how many digipeters will be used to deliver them to their final destination.
Frequencies
Frequencies dedicated to the APRS network around the world. You can use them to listen and transmit your current data. Check this sections for locations around Europe, US and more countries…
Internet System
APRS-IS (Automatic Packet Reporting System-Internet Service) – is an Internet-based backbone network which interconnects APRS radio networks. The core network consists of three…
Digipeater
A Digipeater is a station that does digital repeating. Unlike full-duplex VHF/UHF voice repeaters a digipeater will receive a packet, process it, and retransmit on the same frequency.
IGate
An IGate is a type of gateway APRS station. It is similar to a network router in the TCP/IP world, or to a “voting receiver” in a wide-area radio repeater network.
Glossary
Commonly used terms when operators are talking about APRS. Things like – LORAN, NWS, ECHo, digi, etc.