APRS

Automatic Position Reporting System

Automatic Packet Reporting System

 

Used by permission of Bob Bruninga -- WB4APR. 

Revised from information  handed out at the GHRC Ham Fest, October 13, 2001.  

Thanks Bob for your permission and suggestions.

 

Definition: A packet radio application for tracking real-time events by graphically displaying information on maps displayed on the user's computer screen.

 

Software Available for APRS

APRSDos                                            DOS

MacAPRS                                            Macintosh

WinAPRS                                            Windows

javAPRS

paImAPRS                                          uses Palm III Organizer

XAPRS                                                  Linux

Xastir                                                    Linux

Windows CE

UI -- View

APRS Plus (APRS+)              uses DeLorme Street Atlas for maps

 

Software available for download from: www.tapr.org click on "Latest APRS Software"

Go to "Software" and download software of your choice.

APRSDos can run on an old computer that has 8088 processors and as little RAM as 640 Kb.

Publications available on APRS:

  • Getting On Track with APRS; ARRL Publication, 1996

  • APRS Tracks, Maps and Mobiles; ARRL Publication, 1999

 

Frequencies in Use:

2 meters             144.39             USA/Canada/Most of Europe

                            145.825           PCsat APRS satellite at 1200 baud up and down


Space Station   145.800 downlink 

        (ISS)           145.990 uplink


70 cm                 445.925

 

HF

            30 meters         10.151 LSB most commonly used

            20 meters         14.103 LSB

            17 meters         18.107 LSB

A GPS Receiver is not required and does not have to be hooked up for a home(QTH) or a fixed station, all that is required is your known position (Latitude/Longitude) which can be found on DeLorme Street Atlas, DeLorme Topo State maps, any USGS Topo map, or by someone with a GPS receiver!

Internet Sites:
WB4APR  http://www.ew.usna.edu/bruninga/aprs.html
Northwest APRS http://nwaprs.org
Kansas City APRS http://www.kcaprs.org
Northern Illinois APRS http://nian.aprs.net

 

Internet Sites Regarding the PCsat APRS satellite:

PCsat WEB  page  http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pcsat.html
ISS-APRS FAQ http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/iss-faq.html
APRS LIVE pages http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/aprs.html
APRS SATELLITES http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/astars.html

 

Live APRS Activity on Internet

http://www.aprs.net   

This is live APRS activity in North America or you can specify a Region you wish to view, this takes awhile to load so be patient.

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?

This site gives you 3 views of a stations location and a few other options. Remember to end this url with the station you want to view callsign. i.e.http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?KI0BJ

New Hardware for APRS

Kenwood TH-D7A

 

2m/440 MHz handheld radio with built-in 1200/9600 tnc, built-in APRS software, can send messages and view other APRS stations.

 

Kenwood TM-D7OOA

2m/440 MHz mobile radio with built-in 1200/9600 tnc, built-in APRS software, built-in 9pin D connector to connect to computer.

 

APRS Stations in Montana, Northern Wyoming

KI0BJ Yellowtail, MT (Ft Smith) Gateway, Trackers, Portable Station
K7MT Helena, MT I-Gate, Trackers, Digi, Portable Station
AC7DE Helena, MT Fixed Station
KC7VCY Helena, MT Fixed Station
BZNLAN Bozeman, MT Fixed Station at High Flats
KD7MFJ- 11 Bozeman, MT High Altitude Balloon -- MSU Physics Dept.
N7VMR-1O Billings, MT Digi
N7VMR- 1 Billings, MT I-Gate
K7ETT Billings, MT Fixed Station
K7LEW Billings, MT Fixed Station
KC7QBR Billings, MT Tracker
N8BMA Sheridan, WY I-Gate, Trackers
KC7ZRU Casper, WY I-Gate, Tracker

We are always looking for future Digipeater sites, If you know of a good site with the name/e-mail address/telephone number of a contact person, PLEASE let us know!

If you have questions about APRS or how to set up an APRS station we can be reached at the following e-mail addresses:

KIOBJ         Rex Blaine        email:     jblaine@nemontel.net

K7MT          Bill Erhardt      email:          erhardt@mt.net

Hope to see you on APRS soon!