IntroductionWhat can APRS do ?The Automatic Packet Reporting System was originally devised by Bob Bruninga (WB4APR) to transmit the position of mobile stations using a Mic Encoder - this device piggybacks a burst of packet data onto the end of a standard voice transmission. As the APRS protocol was extended, it allowed other information to be transmitted, such as:
APRS also posesses the unique ability for a user to passively monitior network activity, making it an ideal introduction to digital modes for Shortwave Listeners.
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PC Weather StationYou could possibly extend your fixed APRS station, by interfacing it with a PC weather station - then by the addition of some software changes, make the weather data in your shack available via APRS to all local users.
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Several implementations of Mobile APRS stations are available, both commercially (such as the TH-D7 from Kenwood) and as projects, discussed further within this document. All of the above developments are supported by Roger Barker’s (G4IDE) UI-View program, which is available via the Internet. Although the unregistered 16-bit version is not limited in its functionality, please consider registering it. Not only does it represent a considerable effort on his part, but is probably the easiest to configure! The registered version of UI-View also supports the gating of APRS data via the internet (IGATE). However, the exchange of APRS data via the internet requires a Note of Variation on the Holders’ Licence. |