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APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System)
APRS is basically the modern version of Packet Radio. It all works using exactly the same hardware and concepts, but with different software and more capabilities. You still have "nodes" which are basically a rig on a simplex frequency, controlled by a PC connected to a TNC. The software being used is a Windows-based free program called: UI-View. You can also run that software on your PC at home, and appear on the APRS network, using your internet connection. That way, if any other stations on the network want to send you a short message, they can. The best part is, a mobile APRS station can send that message, even to a fixed station. APRS will use a combination of RF and the internet to pass the messages through. Internet traffic would be handled by an "i-Gate." No, that's not a new Apple device! It's basically an APRS station with a live connection to the net, which is set up to be the internet gateway for local APRS stations.
There's much more detail to it, but we can save the tutorial for later. For now, check out what's happening locally on APRS: click here.
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