How to Get Started in APRS

How can a newcomer get started in APRS?

A web search produces mostly:

• Very specialized such as the configuration of a specific radio.
• Outdated information. (e.g. you must buy a legacy 1980s style TNC or references to software apps abandoned decades ago)
• Only talks about trackers and aprs.fi.
• Leads you to believe that buying a very expensive radio is only way to get started.
• Overly technical information such as the protocol specification.
• Very brief description with a link to aprs.org which would scare a beginner away.

If you search YouTube, the top of the list is “APRS The Most Worthless Mode in Ham Radio” with APRS = a pile of poo in the picture. That’s not a good first impression.

There is some very good material out there, but how can the newcomer find it among all the clutter?

Continued here: How-to-Get-Started-in-APRS.pdf

This is a crowd-sourced list of the best resources for a beginner. We need YOUR help to find the best resources.