APRS - Revision history

KJ7RRV at 01:45, 26 November 2023

2023-11-26T01:45:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 25 November 2023
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	An extensive digipeater network provides transport for APRS packets on these frequencies. Internet gateway stations (IGates) 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, and a number of 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 [[satellite]]s, including the [[International Space Station]], are capable of relaying APRS data.		An extensive digipeater network provides transport for APRS packets on these frequencies. Internet gateway stations (IGates) 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, and a number of 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 [[satellite]]s, including the [[International Space Station]], are capable of relaying APRS data.

	~~{{CC BY-SA}}~~		<hr>

	{{Wikipedia\|Automatic Packet Reporting System}}		{{Wikipedia\|Automatic Packet Reporting System}}

KJ7RRV: /* POTA spotting */

2023-07-07T18:02:00Z

POTA spotting

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 7 July 2023
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	=== POTA spotting ===		=== POTA spotting ===

	"[https://apspot.radio/ APSPOT]" can be used to spot [[Parks on the Air]] (as well as [https://wwff.co/ World Wide Flora and Fauna], [https://www.sota.org.uk/ Summits on the Air], and [https://www.silosontheair.com/ Silos on the Air]) activations. To use it, send a message in the format "! POTA [park reference] [frequency in kilohertz] [mode]" (example: "POTA K-2811 14074 FT8"). For World Wide Flora and Fauna, Summits on the Air, or Silos on the Air, replace "POTA" with "WWFF", "SOTA," or "SIOTA," respectively. (Silos on the Air is apparently only in Australia, but the other programs, like POTA, are available worldwide.)		"[https://apspot.radio/ APSPOT]" can be used to spot [[Parks on the Air]] (as well as [https://wwff.co/ World Wide Flora and Fauna], [https://www.sota.org.uk/ Summits on the Air], and [https://www.silosontheair.com/ Silos on the Air]) activations. To use it, send a message in the format "! POTA [park reference] [frequency in kilohertz] [mode]" (example: "! POTA K-2811 14074 FT8"; note the exclamation mark at the beginning). For World Wide Flora and Fauna, Summits on the Air, or Silos on the Air, replace "POTA" with "WWFF", "SOTA," or "SIOTA," respectively. (Silos on the Air is apparently only in Australia, but the other programs, like POTA, are available worldwide.)

	== Capabilities ==		== Capabilities ==

KJ7RRV: /* Messages */

2023-07-07T18:01:19Z

Messages

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:01, 7 July 2023
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	Default is "brief" unless the location is given as an airport code, in which case "metar" is the default.		Default is "brief" unless the location is given as an airport code, in which case "metar" is the default.

			=== POTA spotting ===

			"[https://apspot.radio/ APSPOT]" can be used to spot [[Parks on the Air]] (as well as [https://wwff.co/ World Wide Flora and Fauna], [https://www.sota.org.uk/ Summits on the Air], and [https://www.silosontheair.com/ Silos on the Air]) activations. To use it, send a message in the format "! POTA [park reference] [frequency in kilohertz] [mode]" (example: "POTA K-2811 14074 FT8"). For World Wide Flora and Fauna, Summits on the Air, or Silos on the Air, replace "POTA" with "WWFF", "SOTA," or "SIOTA," respectively. (Silos on the Air is apparently only in Australia, but the other programs, like POTA, are available worldwide.)

	== Capabilities ==		== Capabilities ==

KJ7RRV: /* Call sign lookup */

2023-07-06T19:30:36Z

Call sign lookup

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:30, 6 July 2023
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	=== Call sign lookup ===		=== Call sign lookup ===

	The "WHO-IS" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, state (if in the US), and license class, simply send the call sign. To get full data, including the mailing address, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".		The "[https://www.aprs-is.net/WhoIs.aspx WHO-IS]" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, state (if in the US), and license class, simply send the call sign. To get full data, including the mailing address, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".

	Some devices, digipeaters, and iGates may not handle the WHO-IS call sign properly. If you are not receiving responses, try using WHO-15 ("WHO" dash fifteen) instead. Note that unlike WHO-IS, WHO-15 often gives outdated information for the license class; however, the other data seem to be accurate.		Some devices, digipeaters, and iGates may not handle the WHO-IS call sign properly. If you are not receiving responses, try using WHO-15 ("WHO" dash fifteen) instead. Note that unlike WHO-IS, WHO-15 often gives outdated information for the license class; however, the other data seem to be accurate.

KJ7RRV: /* Weather */

2023-07-06T19:29:55Z

Weather

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:29, 6 July 2023
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	=== Weather ===		=== Weather ===

	The "WXBOT" service can be used to access weather forecasts over APRS. The message format can be broken into three parts, referred to as "where," "when," and "what." All are optional, but you must choose at least one to avoid an empty message.		The "[https://sites.google.com/site/ki6wjp/wxbot WXBOT]" service can be used to access weather forecasts over APRS. The message format can be broken into three parts, referred to as "where," "when," and "what." All are optional, but you must choose at least one to avoid an empty message.

	If you do not receive a forecast in a minute or two, or if you seem to have only received part of it, send your message again.		If you do not receive a forecast in a minute or two, or if you seem to have only received part of it, send your message again.

KJ7RRV: /* Messages */

2023-07-06T19:29:40Z

Messages

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 === Call sign lookup ===
-The "WHO-IS" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, state (if in the US), and license class, simply send the call sign. To get the mailing address as well, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".
+The "WHO-IS" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, state (if in the US), and license class, simply send the call sign. To get full data, including the mailing address, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".
 Some devices, digipeaters, and iGates may not handle the WHO-IS call sign properly. If you are not receiving responses, try using WHO-15 ("WHO" dash fifteen) instead. Note that unlike WHO-IS, WHO-15 often gives outdated information for the license class; however, the other data seem to be accurate.
 == Capabilities ==

KJ7RRV: /* Call sign lookup */

2023-07-05T14:55:29Z

Call sign lookup

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 5 July 2023
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	=== Call sign lookup ===		=== Call sign lookup ===

	The "WHO-15" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, ~~and~~ state (if in the US), simply send the call sign. To get the mailing address as well, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".		The "WHO-IS" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, state (if in the US), and license class, simply send the call sign. To get the mailing address as well, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".

	~~The~~ WHO-15 ~~service also sends~~ the ~~operator's~~ license class, ~~but this information is often outdated~~.		Some devices, digipeaters, and iGates may not handle the WHO-IS call sign properly. If you are not receiving responses, try using WHO-15 ("WHO" dash fifteen) instead. Note that unlike WHO-IS, WHO-15 often gives outdated information for the license class; however, the other data seem to be accurate.

	== Capabilities ==		== Capabilities ==

KJ7RRV: /* Status/messages */

2023-07-05T14:52:28Z

Status/messages

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:52, 5 July 2023
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	An online map of APRS stations is available at [https://aprs.fi aprs.fi].		An online map of APRS stations is available at [https://aprs.fi aprs.fi].

	== Status~~/messages~~ ==		== Status ==
	The Status packet is free-field format that lets each station announce its current mission or application or contact information or any other information or data of immediate use to surrounding activities. The message packet can be used for point-to-point messages, bulletins, announcements or even email. Bulletins and Announcements are treated specially and displayed on a single "community ~~Bulletin~~ board". This community bulletin board is fixed size and all bulletins from all posters are sorted onto this display. The intent of this display is to be consistent and identical for all viewers so that all participants are seeing the same information at the same time. Since lines are sorted onto the display, then individual posters can edit, update, or delete individual lines of their bulletins at any time to keep the bulletin board up-to-date to all viewers.		The Status packet is free-field format that lets each station announce its current mission, application, contact information or any other information or data of immediate use to surrounding activities.

			== Messages ==

			The message packet can be used for point-to-point messages, bulletins, announcements or even email. Bulletins and Announcements are treated specially and displayed on a single "community bulletin board". This community bulletin board is fixed size and all bulletins from all posters are sorted onto this display. The intent of this display is to be consistent and identical for all viewers so that all participants are seeing the same information at the same time. Since lines are sorted onto the display, then individual posters can edit, update, or delete individual lines of their bulletins at any time to keep the bulletin board up-to-date to all viewers.

	All APRS messages are delivered live in real-time to online recipients. Messages are not stored and forwarded, but retried until timed out. The delivery of these messages is global, since the APRS-IS distributes all packets to all other IGates in the world and those that are messages will actually go back to RF via any IGate that is near the intended recipient.		All APRS messages are delivered live in real-time to online recipients. Messages are not stored and forwarded, but retried until timed out. The delivery of these messages is global, since the APRS-IS distributes all packets to all other IGates in the world and those that are messages will actually go back to RF via any IGate that is near the intended recipient.

			Messages can be sent directly between two operators, enabling functionality quite similar to SMS texting without relying on a cellular connection or Internet access. They can also be sent and received through the Internet. Either party or both may be using the Internet; an operator who does not have access to the Internet but can reach an iGate can use it to communicate with another operator who is using the Internet.

			Not all messages are used for direct communication between two people, however. Many messages instead go to automated services that provide a variety of functions. These services operate using "call signs" that are not actually government-issued call signs, but are handled the same way by the APRS system.

	=== Email ===		=== Email ===
	A ~~special case~~ message ~~can be~~ sent to EMAIL ~~where these messages are pulled off the real-time APRS-IS and~~ wrapped into a standard email and forwarded into the regular Internet email system. To use it, send the message to the "call sign" EMAIL, with the first "word" of the message being the recipient's call sign.
			A message sent to "EMAIL" will be wrapped into a standard email and forwarded into the regular Internet email system. To use it, send the message to the "call sign" EMAIL, with the first "word" of the message being the recipient's call sign.

			=== Call sign lookup ===

			The "WHO-15" service can be used to look up amateur call signs using QRZ.com without Internet access. To get only the operator's name, country, and state (if in the US), simply send the call sign. To get the mailing address as well, send the letter "F" followed by the call sign: "F W7BKG".

			The WHO-15 service also sends the operator's license class, but this information is often outdated.

	== Capabilities ==		== Capabilities ==

KJ7RRV at 14:38, 5 July 2023

2023-07-05T14:38:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:38, 5 July 2023
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	'''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.		'''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 data is typically transmitted on a single shared frequency ~~(depending on country)~~ to be repeated locally by area relay stations (digipeaters) for widespread local consumption. In addition, all ~~such data~~ are typically ingested into the APRS Internet System (APRS-IS) via an Internet-connected receiver (IGate) and distributed globally for ubiquitous and immediate access. Data shared via radio or Internet are collected by all users and can be combined with external map data to build a shared live view.		APRS data is typically transmitted on a single shared frequency to be repeated locally by area relay stations (digipeaters) for widespread local consumption. In the United States, the frequency is 144.390 MHz. In addition, all packets are typically ingested into the APRS Internet System (APRS-IS) via an Internet-connected receiver (IGate) and distributed globally for ubiquitous and immediate access. Data shared via radio or Internet are collected by all users and can be combined with external map data to build a shared live view.

	APRS was developed from the late 1980s forward by Bob Bruninga, [[Glossary#call sign\|call sign]] WB4APR, a senior research engineer at the United States Naval Academy. He maintained the main APRS Web site until his death in 2022. The initialism "APRS" was derived from his call sign.		== History ==

	~~== History ==~~
	Bob Bruninga WB4APR (SK), a senior research engineer at the United States Naval Academy, implemented the earliest ancestor of APRS on an Apple II computer in 1982. This early version was used to map [[HF]] Navy position reports. The first use of the system now called APRS was in 1984, when Bruninga developed a more advanced version on a Commodore VIC-20 for reporting the position and status of horses in a 100 mile endurance run.		Bob Bruninga WB4APR (SK), a senior research engineer at the United States Naval Academy, implemented the earliest ancestor of APRS on an Apple II computer in 1982. This early version was used to map [[HF]] Navy position reports. The first use of the system now called APRS was in 1984, when Bruninga developed a more advanced version on a Commodore VIC-20 for reporting the position and status of horses in a 100 mile endurance run.

	During the next two years, Bruninga continued to develop the system, which he then called the Connectionless Emergency Traffic System (CETS). Following a series of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercises using CETS, the system was ported to the IBM Personal Computer. During the early 1990s, CETS (then known as the Automatic Position Reporting System) continued to evolve into its current form.		During the next two years, Bruninga continued to develop the system, which he then called the Connectionless Emergency Traffic System (CETS). Following a series of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercises using CETS, the system was ported to the IBM Personal Computer. During the early 1990s, CETS (by then known as the Automatic Position Reporting System) continued to evolve into its current form.

	As GPS technology became more widely available, "Position" was replaced with "Packet" to better describe the more generic capabilities of the system and to emphasize its uses beyond mere position reporting.		As GPS technology became more widely available, "Position" was replaced with "Packet" to better describe the more generic capabilities of the system and to emphasize its uses beyond mere position reporting. Bruninga has also stated that APRS was not meant to be a vehicle position tracking system, and can be interpreted rather as “Automatic Presence Reporting System."

	~~Bruninga has also stated that APRS was not meant to be a vehicle position tracking system, and can be interpreted rather as “Automatic Presence Reporting System."~~		== Network overview ==

	~~== Network overview ==~~		APRS is a digital communications protocol for exchanging information among a large number of stations covering a large (local) area. As a multi-user data network, it is quite different from conventional [[Glossary#packet radio\|packet radio]]. Rather than using connected data streams where stations connect to each other and packets are acknowledged and retransmitted if lost, APRS operates entirely in an unconnected broadcast fashion, using unnumbered AX.25 frames.
	APRS ~~(Automatic Packet Reporting System),~~ is a digital communications protocol for exchanging information among a large number of stations covering a large (local) area. As a multi-user data network, it is quite different from conventional [[Glossary#packet radio\|packet radio]]. Rather than using connected data streams where stations connect to each other and packets are acknowledged and retransmitted if lost, APRS operates entirely in an unconnected broadcast fashion, using unnumbered AX.25 frames.

	APRS packets are transmitted for all other stations to hear and use. Packet [[repeater]]s, called digipeaters, form the backbone of the APRS system, and use [[store and forward]] technology to retransmit packets. All stations operate on the same radio channel, and packets move through the network from digipeater to digipeater, propagating outward from their point of origin. All stations within radio range of each digipeater receive the packet. At each digipeater, the packet path is changed. The packet will be repeated through only a certain number of digipeaters — or hops — depending upon the "PATH" setting~~. <!-- is this setting set on the packet or~~ the ~~digipeater? Context seems to imply it is set on each~~ packet~~, but I'm not an APRS expert~~. ~~-KJ7RRV -->~~		APRS packets are transmitted for all other stations to hear and use. Packet [[repeater]]s, called digipeaters, form the backbone of the APRS system, and use [[store and forward]] technology to retransmit packets. All stations operate on the same radio channel, and packets move through the network from digipeater to digipeater, propagating outward from their point of origin. All stations within radio range of each digipeater receive the packet. At each digipeater, the packet path is changed. The packet will be repeated through only a certain number of digipeaters — or hops — depending upon the "PATH" setting in the packet data.

	Digipeaters keep track of the packets they forward for a period of time, thus preventing duplicate packets from being retransmitted. This keeps packets from circulating in endless loops inside the ad hoc network. Eventually, most packets are heard by an APRS Internet Gateway, called an IGate, and the packets are routed on to the Internet APRS backbone (where duplicate packets heard by other IGates are discarded) for display or analysis by other users connected to an APRS-IS server, or on a Web site designed for the purpose.		Digipeaters keep track of the packets they forward for a period of time, thus preventing duplicate packets from being retransmitted. This keeps packets from circulating in endless loops inside the ad hoc network. Eventually, most packets are heard by an APRS Internet Gateway, called an IGate, and the packets are routed on to the Internet APRS backbone (where duplicate packets heard by other IGates are discarded) for display or analysis by other users connected to an APRS-IS server, or on a Web site designed for the purpose.
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	== Positions/objects/items ==		== Positions/objects/items ==

	APRS contains a number of packet types, including position/object/item, status, messages, queries, weather reports and telemetry. The position/object/item packets contain the latitude and longitude, and a symbol to be displayed on the map, and have many optional fields for altitude, course, speed, radiated power, [[antenna]] height above average terrain, antenna gain, and voice operating frequency. Positions of fixed stations are configured in the APRS software. Moving stations (portable or mobile) automatically derive their position information from a GPS receiver connected to the APRS equipment.		APRS contains a number of packet types, including position/object/item, status, messages, queries, weather reports and telemetry. The position/object/item packets contain the latitude and longitude, and a symbol to be displayed on the map, and have many optional fields for altitude, course, speed, radiated power, [[antenna]] height above average terrain, antenna gain, and voice operating frequency. Positions of fixed stations are configured in the APRS software. Moving stations (portable or mobile) automatically derive their position information from a GPS receiver connected to the APRS equipment.

KJ7RRV: /* History */

2023-07-05T14:32:27Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:32, 5 July 2023
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	== History ==		== History ==
	Bob Bruninga, a senior research engineer at the United States Naval Academy, implemented the earliest ancestor of APRS on an Apple II computer in 1982. This early version was used to map [[HF]] Navy position reports. The first use of the system now called APRS was in 1984, when Bruninga developed a more advanced version on a Commodore VIC-20 for reporting the position and status of horses in a 100 mile endurance run.		Bob Bruninga WB4APR (SK), a senior research engineer at the United States Naval Academy, implemented the earliest ancestor of APRS on an Apple II computer in 1982. This early version was used to map [[HF]] Navy position reports. The first use of the system now called APRS was in 1984, when Bruninga developed a more advanced version on a Commodore VIC-20 for reporting the position and status of horses in a 100 mile endurance run.

	During the next two years, Bruninga continued to develop the system, which he then called the Connectionless Emergency Traffic System (CETS). Following a series of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercises using CETS, the system was ported to the IBM Personal Computer. During the early 1990s, CETS (then known as the Automatic Position Reporting System) continued to evolve into its current form.		During the next two years, Bruninga continued to develop the system, which he then called the Connectionless Emergency Traffic System (CETS). Following a series of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercises using CETS, the system was ported to the IBM Personal Computer. During the early 1990s, CETS (then known as the Automatic Position Reporting System) continued to evolve into its current form.