Below is a guide describing how to install and use APRS on your Android or iOS smartphone.
Android
APRSDroid is a great app which is available for a free download from APRSDroid.org website.
- Download the APRSDroid app from https://aprsdroid.org/download/APRSdroid-current.apk
- If you want to support the developer then buy the Market version on the Play Store.
- If you want to support the developer then buy the Market version on the Play Store.
- If you download the APK and try to install the app you might get a message saying that you aretrying to install an app from Unknown Source. To get around this you will need to go into Android Settings > Security and Enable Unknown Sources and install the app again.
- Once installed, open the app and enter your Callsign.
- Next, enter your passcode. You can generate a passcode at http://apps.magicbug.co.uk/passcode This passcode is tied to your callsign. You will get the same passcode how many ever times you generate it.
- Tap on the 3 dots and go to Preferences.
- Under SSID pick 9 (SSID 9 represents a mobile station). For a complete list of SSIDs please see: http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc:ssids
- Under Connection Preferences > Server, change from euro.aprs2.net to noam.aprs2.net
- Go back to the main preferences screen and now change the APRS Symbol to car or whatever you wish.
- Next, in the comment field, enter something like CF Ride for Cure (If you are using this for regular travel then I would change the text to Listening and set the Voice Frequency setting to 146.52 and tune your car radio to the 2m calling frequency of 146.52 MHz).
- Now go back to the main screen and tap on start tracking. Once the GPS gets a proper signal, it will start to beacon.
- Now go to https://aprs.fi website and under Track callsign enter your callsign e.g., AB3DC-9 and you should see yourself on the map. If you are moving, your location will update every 30 seconds.
- Make sure you turn off the APRS tracker once you are done.
iOS
APRS TX app on the iOS App Store is a barebones APRS app which costs $0.99 and only supports beaconing. There are other full-fledged apps like aprs.fi which costs $6.99 which also shows the other stations on the map as well as send your position to the APRS network.
- Download the APRS TX from the iOS app store.
- Open the app and Select Always for Allow APRS TX to access your location.
- Enter Callsign with SSID. For e.g. AB3DC-9 (SSID 9 represents a mobile station). For a complete list of SSIDs please see: http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc:ssids
- Next, go to http://apps.magicbug.co.uk/passcode and enter your callsign to generate your APRS-IS passcode (This passcode is tied to your callsign. You will get the same passcode how many ever times you generate it.)
- Enter the passcode generated in the above step in the passcode field.
- For Beacon Text, enter something like CF Ride for Cure (If you are using this for regular travel then I would change the text to Listening on 146.52 MHz and set your car radio to the 2m calling frequency of 146.52 MHz).
- Change the APRS Symbol to > from $ (> represents a car; Use k for a truck; $ represents a phone).
- Go back to APRS TX screen and tap Start.
- Now go to https://aprs.fi website and under Track callsign enter your callsign e.g., AB3DC-9 and you should see yourself on the map. If you are moving, your location will update every 30 seconds.
- Make sure you turn off the APRS tracker once you are done.