APRS setup guide
How to set up APRS for position tracking, messaging, and weather reporting. Mobile, portable, and home station configurations.
How to set up APRS for position tracking, messaging, and weather reporting.
What is APRS
APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is a real-time tactical communication system that uses amateur radio to share position reports, weather data, messages, and telemetry. APRS stations appear on maps at aprs.fi and other tracking websites.
The most common APRS use is vehicle tracking: your radio beacons your GPS position, and anyone can see where you are on a map. APRS is also used for weather stations, messaging, and event tracking.
APRS operates on 144.390 MHz (North America)
All APRS activity in North America is on 144.390 MHz FM. Your radio must be able to transmit packet data on this frequency.
Equipment options
Option 1: Radio with built-in APRS TNC
The easiest approach. These radios have built-in GPS and APRS TNC — connect an antenna and you are tracking.
- Kenwood TM-D710GA — the APRS gold standard mobile radio. Built-in GPS, TNC, and SmartBeaconing.
- Kenwood TH-D74A — the APRS handheld. Built-in GPS and TNC.
- Yaesu FTM-300DR / FTM-400XDR / FTM-500DR — APRS via System Fusion or analog.
- Yaesu VX-8DR — handheld with built-in APRS.
Option 2: Radio + external TNC + GPS
Any 2m FM radio can do APRS with an external TNC and GPS receiver.
- Radio: Any 2m mobile or HT
- TNC: Mobilinkd TNC4 ($130) — Bluetooth TNC that pairs with a smartphone running APRSdroid or APRS.fi app
- GPS: Smartphone GPS via the app
The Mobilinkd TNC4 is the modern APRS solution for radios without built-in TNC. It connects via Bluetooth to your phone, which provides the GPS and the APRS software. The TNC handles the audio interface between the phone app and the radio.
Option 3: Dedicated APRS tracker
- Byonics MicroTrak — a dedicated APRS tracker (transmit only, no receive). GPS + TNC in one box. Connect to any 2m radio or use with the built-in transmitter.
SmartBeaconing
SmartBeaconing adjusts your beacon rate based on speed and direction changes. Stopped: beacon every 30 minutes. Moving straight on a highway: beacon every 2 minutes. Turning a corner: beacon immediately. SmartBeaconing reduces channel congestion while ensuring your track is accurate. Most APRS-capable radios support SmartBeaconing.
Home station APRS
A home station APRS setup can receive APRS packets, display them on a map, and serve as an iGate (internet gateway) that relays RF APRS packets to the internet.
- Radio: Any 2m radio on 144.390 MHz
- Software: Direwolf (free, Linux/Windows/Mac) — a software TNC that runs on a computer
- Audio interface: SignaLink or Digirig connected to the radio
- Software iGate: Direwolf can function as a receive-only iGate, feeding packets to the APRS-IS network
Getting started
The fastest path to APRS is a smartphone running APRSdroid (Android) or APRS.fi, paired with a Mobilinkd TNC4 connected to any 2m HT. Total cost: $130 for the TNC plus whatever HT you already own.