Automatic Packet Reporting System
Overview of the APRS Network
APRS is a real-time tactical digital communications protocol for exchanging information between a large number of stations covering a large (local) area. As a multi-user data network, it is quite different from conventional packet radio.
APRS is different from regular packet in four ways. First by the integration of maps and other data displays to organize and display data, second, by using a one-to-many protocol to update everyone in real time, third, by using generic digipeating so that prior knowledge of the network is not required, AND FORTH, since 1997, a worldwide transparent internet backbone, linking everyone worldwide. APRS turns packet radio into a real-time tactical communications and display system for emergencies and public service applications (and global communications). Normal packet radio has only shown usefulness in passing bulk message traffic (Email) from point to point. It has been difficult to apply conventional packet to real time events where information has a very short life time and needs to get to everyone.
Although the recent interfaces to the Internet make APRS a global communications system for live real-time traffic, this is not the primary objective. But like all of our other radios, how we use APRS in an emergency of special event is what drives the design of the APRS protocol. Although APRS is used 99% of the time over great distances, and benign conditions, the protocol is designed to be optimized for short distance real-time crisis operations.
APRS provides universal connectivity to all stations by avoiding the complexity and limitations of a connected network. It permits any number of stations to exchange data just like voice users would on a voice net. Any station that has information to contribute simply sends it, and all stations receive it and log it. Secondly, APRS recognizes that one of the greatest real-time needs at any special event or emergency is the tracking of key assets. Where is the Event Leader? Where are the emergency vehicles? What's the Weather at various points in the County? To answer these questions, APRS is a full featured automatic vehicle location and status reporting system too. It can be used over any 2-way radio system including HAM, CB, Marine Band, and Cellular Phone. Now there is even a nation-wide LIVE APRS tracking network on the Internet!
APRS is on 144.390 MHz throughout the North American Continent. Other countries often use other frequencies.
Typical APRS Station Layouts
Base (Fixed) Station
Portable Station
Tracker
Station Tracking Form
APRS Emergency Beacons recorded - last 24 hours.
The form on this page accesses the cgi query scripts written by Steve Dimse (k4hg@tapr.org) and retrieve data from his APRS server database at http://www.findu.com/.
APRS Software
I am currently using the UI-View32 V 2.03 APRS software with Precision Maps V 6.0, running in Windows XP Pro. For more information about UI-VIEW visit: http://www.ui-view.com.
Screen Shots of UI-View32:
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 UI-View using the Precision Mapping plug-in. Showing is Lane and surrounding counties in Oregon. (Click on the map for the actual size image.) |
