APRS

The Automatic Packet Reporting System is a tool we have available. You have probably heard of this reporting location, (Automatic Position Reporting System). It can send so much more. Think of a ham fest, an APRS system broadcasting from there can help you find the place. It can also list the current presentation, announce the winner of a drawing, or provide any other relevant information. APRS can let you know where ham operators are during an event. It can be used to monitor the locations of people traveling to conduct an in-person situational analysis of an event. Not only does this keep them safer, but it also allows them to add a message to the packet.

APRS beacon messages can also be sent via cell service and might be able to get out when other items cannot.

How do we use it?

This can be another avenue for reporting weather data. There are two ways this can happen. The first, easiest, but lacking some information, is to set up your weather station to report directly. If you use https://aprs.fi and search for AC1IX, you will see the data from my weather station. What it won’t tell you is damage, sky conditions, or if the power is out (part of this system is on my backup system).

The second mode is to craft and send an APRS beacon message with your weather data. This can now include personal observations of conditions, as well as cross-street information.

The APRS Foundation is working on new documentation about all things APRS.