Jump to first page Using APRS to Report Weather Observations

Jump to first page APRS Introduction APRS can be used to: n Report weather data n Track weather systems

Jump to first page APRS Basics n Data packets transmitted by an APRS station are received by other APRS stations and retransmitted n This process is known as digipeating (digital repeating) n Any APRS station is available to retransmit received information when it is not originating information n The data in the packet can be: u position information u objects u Messages/data n When APRS data is received by an IGATE, it is routed packets through the internet n When APRS data is received by a GATE it is retransmitted on a different frequency.

Jump to first page Reporting Weather Data n A network of APRS observation stations would perform 2 functions u Collection and transmission of weather data u Relay of weather data from other observation stations n Weather data could be routed onto the Internet by an IGATE for delivery to the NWS

Jump to first page Internet How Does APRS work? An APRS packet Bounces From One “Digipeater” To Another Since APRS Packets Aren’t Addressed To A Particular Station, Anyone Can Hear Them If An IGATE Station Hears The Position Report, It Is Passed On To the Internet For Everyone To See The Data Moves Outward In Tiers

Jump to first page Tracking n Users can create and move objects such as hurricanes and funnel clouds. n The objects can be transmitted through the APRS network to the NWS n Objects could be used to transmit attributes not quantifiable as a number

Jump to first page Weather n Collection of data n Trending Weather Data n Weather Alerts from NWS n Superimposed RADAR

Jump to first page µWX n µWX is a self-contained WX station and TNC that measures temperature, air pressure, and humidity. n The µWX supports the Dallas One-Wire weather station. n Only a transceiver must be added to have a complete APRS station n Cost is around $50 n For more info:

Jump to first page Dallas One-Wire WX station n The unit measures wind speed, wind direction and temperature. n It is compatible with the µWX unit n Cost is ~$79 n For more info:

Jump to first page Survivability of APRS n Because of the distributed nature of the APRS network, each station needs to transmit only enough power to reach the neighboring stations. APRS stations could be designed for extended solar/batter operation n Because all APRS stations retransmit any received signal, the network is not crippled by the loss of a few nodes.

Jump to first page Flexibility of APRS n The APRS stations are available to relay other APRS data between weather data packets. n The other data could include: u Real-time position updates of relief workers u Short messages from remote facilities such as Red Cross Shelters.

Jump to first page The Next Steps n Set up a pilot APRS-Weather program in one region of the State n If the pilot APRS-Weather program is successful, expand coverage to the entire state of SC.