APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System)
APRS was originally developed by Bob Bruninga WB4APR and 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.
View a live APRS map of -
- Auckland.
- Hamilton-Rotorua-Tauranga.
- Gisborne.
- Palmerston North.
- Wellington-Masterton-Otaki.
- Nelson.
- Blenheim.
- Canterbury.
- Timaru.
- Dunedin.
- Invercargill.
APRS Specifications
- APRS Specification 1.0.1 August 29, 2000.
- APRS Spec Addendum 1.1 July 2004.
- APRS Spec Addendum 1.2
Of interest also is the APRS Wiki.
Paths in New Zealand are WIDE2-2 for fixed stations and WIDE1-1,WIDE2-2 for mobile trackers, if in a rural area WIDE3-3 if WIDE2-2 doesn't succeed, in accordance with the worldwide New Paradigm.
Here is a suggested guide to SSID usage.
Frequencies on 2m are mainly 144.575MHz and 144.650MHz. Some years ago when 144.650MHz was used for BBS packet use, it was decided to use 144.575MHz for APRS to avoid conflict. More recently (2008) BBS packet use has declined markedly and it turns out that very few made the shift to 144.575MHz anyway, so it has been proposed that APRS use 144.650MHz as only a small number of digis would have to go through the administrative process and crystal purchases neccesary as compared to the far greater number of existing 144.650MHz digis changing to 144.575MHz.