SUMTER COUNTY
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Association (ARES)
Sumter County, Florida
APRS - iPhone
The android phone apps are definitely easier to use
than the iPhone apps. However, to use an iPhone app, you will
want it to work both with aprs.fi and the aprs-is (aprisce32
software). Some of the Iphone apps only work with aprs.fi
which is the Internet only view of APRS. The aprs-is is the
real APRS view which is then copied by the Internet view (aprs.fi).
So if you are working an event where the communication center is
using the aprisce32 software, you want the aprs-is app. Below
are some apps that do work, but if you are not registered to use
APRS go ahead and get registered for your call sign.
APRS Pro Deluxe (required IOS
9.0 or later, use with iPhone or iPad or iPod)
App set up and receiving free, beaconing use: Enable
APRS TX - 1 year subscription $9.49 or lifetime $17.00. This
app may use your location even when it isn't open, which can
decrease battery life. Also, when using, have a backup
power supply plug in (car phone charger or small battery pack.
You can connect your iPhone to a HF or VHF radio
which is set up for APRS or use the APRS Pro app on the iPhone via
2G/3G/4G/Wifi to beacon your location.
APRS Pro Ultimate
(required IOS 9.0 or later, use with iPhone or iPad
or iPod)
App set up and receiving free, beaconing use: Enable
APRS TX - 1 year subscription $8.99 or lifetime $15.99
Screen views are the same for both. Regular screen to
right and set up screens below.
No Longer Use
iPhone App: OpenAPRS does not work with
iPhone OS 9.xx, 10.xx. 11.xx, etc.
The i-Phone application is to enable a licensed
ham operator to beacon their location and tactical call sign and
will show up on the APRS software.
To load the software, start with going to the App
Store on the i-Phone and search for OpenAPRS. You may find it
as a free download or a small price ($3.99-4.99).
Download to your phone and open the application. Go to sign-up
(bottom of screen) and complete the form (First, Last name, Call
sign/SSID, email, password) and press the Signup. The
SSID is a number added after the call sign and represents the basic
type of device you want to represent.
- 5 Cell phone (Iphone, Android, Blackberry, etc.)
If you need to
make changes, use the save changes or the other buttons. You
will receive an activation email which must be responded to within
72 hours or the account will become dead. You can use the
account in the meantime.
When you do not need it, shut it down as it is a
drain on the battery. You may want to plug the phone into the
car system or a separate battery if you need to keep it operational
for 4-8 hours. This setup will follow you. You do
not need to completely close OpenAPRS to save battery life.
In
order to stop beaconing and turn off the GPS while the app is in the
background, from the Map tab press the Settings button then press
the BCON button until the BCON light has turned off. Now when
the app goes to the background (press the Home button) it will not
leave the GPS on or attempt to beacon and will perform like any
other dormant app in the background, thus saving battery life.
Last Update: 07/13/2018 © Copyright Sumter County ARES. All Rights Reserved.