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[KA4LFP]

What is the most common wide use for APRS other than GPS tracking?


I know that lots of operators use it for tracking moving vehicles, as in public events like SAG and sweep riders.

I have heard of other uses like sending text messages, etc.

But I don't know how commonly done those other uses are - eg, if a ham were to get equipped, would it be that most APRS activity centers around GPS?

Or would there be lots of other APRS activity out there?

73, Tim

[KG7NXH]

Making APRS QSOs via satellite is fairly common.  Was much more common before the digipeater on the ISS died.  I use it when out off-roading to send short messages to my wife via APRS-IS when there is no cell phone service.

Lots of weather beacons on APRS although that's not something I utilize.

Personally, I think it is under-utilized.

[N1RVN]

Brad,

I'm just about to buy my first APRS equipped rig, the Icom ID-5100.

Two questions for you: will the text messaging work on the 5100 - I understand it's D-PRS is not exactly APRS.

And can you point me to some good info about text messaging? My friend Google is not very helpful with this.

Thanks,

[KD4UPL]

Well, the IC-5100 is not an APRS equipped rig. Kenwood and Yaesu make several but Icom does not.
I would have to say that messaging is probably the most used feature after tracking. I've used it several times recently trying to get experience using it. You can send text messages to other APRS stations, cell phones, and even short emails. I've sent SMS text messages thru the gateway directly to my wife's cell phone and she can respond. It works pretty fast.