APRS in Western North Carolina: Tracking, Messaging & More in the Mountains

Recent APRS Training and Info

• Presentation Video and Service Demos (Mini Course)
• BRARC APRS Slide Presentation and Handout
• Services List
• Demo Event Link (May 10th)

Amateur radio operators across Western North Carolina are rediscovering the power and flexibility of APRS—the Automatic Packet Reporting System. While often misunderstood as just a GPS tracking tool, APRS is actually a real-time, tactical digital communications network that enables operators to share location, messages, weather data, and more across RF and internet-linked systems.

Why It Matters in WNC

With our region’s challenging terrain and limited cellular coverage, APRS can shine as a resilient off-grid tool for both daily ham operations and emergency response. Whether you’re hiking in Pisgah, supporting a public event, or monitoring local conditions, APRS provides a digital backbone for sharing situational awareness across the Blue Ridge.

Local Infrastructure

WNC is home to several active digipeaters and iGates—including sites on Bearwallow, Woody’s Knob, York, Spivey, and Chambers—providing solid coverage across key valleys and mountaintops. Mobile stations can reliably beacon with the recommended path:

WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1

This allows handhelds and mobile rigs to reach the network via fill-in digipeaters, then bounce off high-level wide-area digis.

Popular Uses in Our Region
• Winter Field Day & Events: APRS is used to track station locations and share status updates.
• Parades, bike races, and SOTA activations: APRS objects can mark checkpoints and relay tactical info.
• Emergency Preparedness: APRS messaging remains viable when voice or internet comms are down.
• Weekly Nets & Exercises: Including check-ins via services like ANSRVR and groups like #APRSThursday.

The Future: HF, ISS, and LoRa

Operators are also exploring HF APRS on 30m, satellite digipeating via the ISS, and bridging LoRa-based Meshtastic devices to APRS-IS. These innovations extend coverage and resilience for backcountry ops, preppers, and EmComm groups alike.

Get Started

You don’t need high-end gear to get involved. With just a 5W HT, a basic TNC or app like APRSdroid, and smart pathing, you can become part of the network today.

Want to dive deeper? Visit APRS.fi to explore live local traffic, or check out tools like Direwolf, YAAC, and PinPoint APRS to build your own station.

Join the APRS Conversation Every #APRSThursday

Whether you’re a seasoned ham or just getting started with packet radio, #APRSThursday is your weekly opportunity to explore and practice using the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS).

What you can do:

• Check in using ANSRVR
• Share your location, message, or object
• Test your gear, TNC, or APRS app
• Connect with operators across the country
• Build confidence with real-time messaging and tracking

How to join: Send a message to ANSRVR with this exact text:

CQ HOTG [Your Message]

*Note…Send “U HOTG” shortly after you check in or you’ll get hundreds of messages and flood the network. The “U” will remove you from the group notifications .

To learn more about the net or verify your check-in, visit: https://aprsph.net/aprsthursday/ (bottom of the page)

APRS Resources & Quick Reference

APRS Today and Tomorrow – Western NC Presentation

📚 Core APRS Information & Learning

• http://www.aprs.org – Bob Bruninga’s original APRS website (Archive).
• https://how.aprs.works – Modern documentation hub for APRS.
• https://aprs-is.net – Official APRS-IS site for infrastructure and server info.
• http://www.aprs.org/aloha.html – Explanation of the ALOHA circle and local RF principles.
• https://aprsfoundation.org – The APRS Foundation – supports community development.
• https://groups.io/g/APRS – Discussion and mailing list for APRS topics.
• https://discord.gg/yteKAEQ5Kb – APRS Foundation Discord server.

🛠 APRS Software & Tools

• https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf – Direwolf soundcard TNC software.
• http://uz7.ho.ua/packetradio.htm – UZ7HO Soundmodem for packet radio.
• https://www.aprsdroid.org – APRSdroid app for Android (with offline map support).
• http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc:ansrvr – ANSRVR APRS messaging group reference.
• https://pinpointaprs.com – PinPoint APRS application for Windows.
• http://aprsisce.wikidot.com – APRSIS32 client for Windows.
• https://www.ka2ddo.org/ka2ddo/YAAC.html – YAAC (Yet Another APRS Client) for multi-platform use.

🌍 Online Maps & Services

• https://aprs.fi – Primary APRS map and station tracking site.
• https://aprsdirect.com – Alternate real-time APRS tracker.
• http://www.findu.com – Legacy APRS tracking and data tools.

📡 Space & Advanced Services

• https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html – Status of APRS digipeater on the ISS.
• https://winlink.org/APRSLink – Use APRS to interface with the Winlink system.
• https://aprs.wiki – SMS and APRS integration reference site.
• https://hamradio.my/2025/01/exploring-aprstastic-the-meshtastic-aprs-gateway-for-ham-radio-enthusiasts/ – Article on APRStastic: bridging Meshtastic and APRS.

🎥 YouTube Videos & Channels

• Beginner’s Guide to APRS – Bob Bruninga (WB4APR)
  A clear, beginner-friendly overview of APRS fundamentals: what it is, how it works, gear needed, and common use cases like messaging and tracking.
  Watch here
  
• Introduction to APRS by Bob Bruninga (WB4APR)  A deep dive into the origins and design of APRS from its creator, focusing on real-time tactical communication and system best practices.
  Watch here
  
• KM4ACK – APRS & Raspberry Pi for Ham Radio  Jason (KM4ACK) offers practical APRS tutorials, including setup on Raspberry Pi, Direwolf, YAAC, and portable operations using his Build-a-Pi script.
• Visit channel

COMING SOON: ARCWC Training Videos and Presentations

Check back