By John WB2OSZ —

APRS Information Services

Besides sending “messages” to other people, you can also send messages to many automated APRS Information Services. 

I could not find a comprehensive list, so I started my own list.  I would greatly appreciate any additions, corrections, and improvements.  Tell your friends!

ANSRVR

ANSRVR allows you to remain joined to a group quietly. ANSRVR is a great way to send announcements to people interested in the same thing

To send a message to an announcement group, you can either change the Announcement's CQ Text and poke Send, or send "CQ <Group> Announcement Text" to ANSRVR via a Send Message / Chat.

Reference:  http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc%3Aansrvr

APRSPH

APRSPH is also a bot that can be used to run queries, execute commands, and exchange messages with the SMS network. SMS gateway commands are for Philippine numbers only.

Reference:  http://aprsph.net/ 

APSPOT

APSPOT is an APRS system designed to provide a one-stop shop for self-spotting activations via APRS, to the myriad of activity based spotting systems.

Reference:   https://apspot.radio/

CQSRVR

 CQSRVR is an APRS server designed to facilitate initial contact between amateur radio APRS stations (hams) worldwide with similar interests. It is not a messaging server, BBS, or any other type of interactive forum. It is a global service and requires unique callsign-SSIDs to be used. It is designed for simplicity and consistency of use.

Reference:  https://www.aprs-is.net/CQSrvr.aspx 

DAGA

DAGA is a system that sends and receives SOTA spots using APRS messaging devices, avoiding the need to depend on mobile phones while activating.

SOTAWATCH, APRS, LoRa and DMR networks are linked by DAGA in the simplest possible way, with easy and short commands, simplifying the operation with small talkie keyboards and reducing the key strokes to the minimum.

With DAGA, you are allowed not only to send spots, as other systems do, but also to receive them from SOTAWATCH, filtered by the operator's needs, and only through amateur radio networks and devices.

Reference:  https://daga.ea2rcf.org/en

EMAIL-2

This forwards messages from APRS to Internet e-mail.

Reference:  https://www.aprs-is.net/Email.aspx

ISS (SATSRV)

When the ISS (not the real space station, but the APRS satellite server) receives your query (via the APRS-IS), it will calculate the current or next pass of the ISS for an observer at your station's last beaconed position (it will say "Please beacon Position" if it doesn't know where you are). The response depends on when the pass begins.

Reference:  http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc:satsrv

MPAD

Python implementation of a multi-purpose APRS daemon (WX/METAR/TAF/CWOP reports, satellite & other celestial data, find the nearest repeater to my position, user coordinates & distance, etc. ...)

Reference:  https://github.com/joergschultzelutter/mpad

NTSGTE

Use APRS to send a radiogram to the National Traffic System (NTS).

Reference:  https://nts2.arrl.org/ntsgte-an-aprs-nts-gateway/

QRU

 QRU is the Morse code abbreviation for “Have you anything for me?”  QRU servers are configured with useful local information such as fire departments, local restaurants, gas/petrol stations, hospitals, police departments, post offices, veterinarians, amateur radio clubs, amateur radio shops, lighthouses, repeaters, and more.

Unlike the other services listed here, QRU is meant to be used locally over RF, not the Internet.   If you are looking for a hospital, you only want something local, not thousands of km away.

This is an implementation of the APRS Local Frequency Info Initiative.   (Who would like to write a more modern version?)

Popular implementations:
http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/doc:qru https://www.ka2ddo.org/ka2ddo/YAACdocs/querymenu.html.

REPEAT

I heard a mention somewhere that this would reply with repeaters near the sender.  When I send “help” to it, the response is:

plugins: location data nearest object ping version

Does anyone have more information about this?

SMS

SMS is a two-way gateway between APRS and SMS.  APRS support is available only for the USA, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, and the UK.  SMS users must opt-in due to carrier regulations.

SMS is also a gateway between Winlink e-mail and SMS.  Again, SMS users must opt-in due to carrier regulations.

Reference:  https://aprs.wiki/

SMSGTE

SMSGTE is a service that allows amateur radio operators to exchange text messages between their APRS* radios or clients and SMS (mobile phone text messages).

Reference:   https://smsgte.org/ (currently offline)

WA1GOV-10

APRS to Twitter Gateway

Send an APRS message to WA1GOV-10
Your call and message will appear as a tweet from @wa1gov

Share your US WX forecast on Twitter:

Send WXBOT to WA1GOV-10

Get the next SATELLITE pass prediction for your QTH!

Send an APRS message to WA1GOV-10 with a single uppercase SAT entry!

See list: https://www.qrz.com/db/WA1GOV

Reference: I can’t find any other documentation other than its bulletins.

WHO-IS, WHO-15

Callsign lookup

Reference:  https://www.aprs-is.net/WhoIs.aspx

WTSAPP

WTSAPP is an APRS Gateway designed to allow Licensed Radio Amateurs worldwide to reach their loved ones from their radios using APRS messages.   This is very similar to the gateway SMSGTE, which allows communication to text messages.

Reference:  https://wtsapp.org/

WXBOT

WxBot is an APRS-IS listener app that listens for messages and responds with a brief US National Weather Service forecast.

Reference:  https://sites.google.com/site/ki6wjp/wxbot

International users note:
METAR and CWOP are the only useful queries for locations outside the United States.

Send an APRS message WXBOT and receive a weather forecast for your location.

Optionally, you can specify where, when, and what.

where can take the following form:

  • Any US callsign
  • Any callsign[-ssid] or object known to api.aprs.fi that has a location, including AIS ships.
  • City,ST
NOTE: City,ST must be the first part of the message. City and state must be separated by a comma. Spelling is based on the us.zip file at geonames.org. US postal service abbreviations for states.)
  • 5-digit zip code (i.e. 90210)
  • CWOP station id (i.e. DW6273)
  • 4 or 6-character Maidenhead Grid. (cn81, or cn81uh)
    • Lat/lon Using decimal degrees I.E. 41.123/-122.1123Lat
    • 4-character ICAO station (KJFK, KSFO, etc...) returns the METAR report.
    • 3-character IATA station (SFO, LAX, etc.3-character) returns METAR report.

Please get in touch with me with any additions or corrections.

John Langner, WB2OSZ  [callsign<at>arrl<dot>net]