1. Automatic Position Reporting System ( APRS ) An Introduction to APRS via Amateur Radio
BCYLARA Conference Kelowna, BC - May 2006
“In The Sunny Okanagan !”
“Okanagan Lake - Home of the Ogopogo!”
10/11/2018

2. Norm Barton – VE7BZC Communications Coordinator
Central Okanagan Reg. Dist.
Emergency Operations Centre
Fire Station #1, Kelowna, BC
Locally, we acknowledge the efforts of
Ian McLaughlin – VE7BST who has been a pioneer
for OCARC sponsored APRS networking and I-gating in the Okanagan.

3. APRS Developer and Program Authors…

4. APRSDos the original APRS program…
Developed by:
Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
for the PC when he wanted a cost effective mapping program that would allow positioning of mobile stations using GPS receivers.
(Later developed as Windows-based “WinAPRS”) by Sproule Bros.

5. “UI-view” was developed by Roger Barker G4IDE (SK-2004)
…who willed his UI-view program, and Winpack – a packet radio program, (free) to the Amateur Radio World. (Roger asked users to make a donation to their local Cancer Society)

6. UI-view32 is currently the most popular Amateur Radio APRS program… Its best features: Superior mapping Open Source Code – means lots of “add-ons” Free!
Second most popular – WinAPRS - Cost $65 (approx.)
closed code – no add-ons, mapping is difficult.

7. Some examples of Free “add-on programs” for UI-view… “FindU” log converter Movement alarm Log call sign extractor Weather watcher Local area APRS RF and traffic analyzers Web server Message printer etc., etc., etc.!

8. APRS needs the GPS (Global Positioning System) to work!…

9. How you “know” where you are using “GPS”
Approx. 22,000 Km altitude
24 Satellites + 5 Ground Stations Maintained by USA DOD
A fourth satellite reading resolves these time differences
GPS Receiver
Trilateration !

10. Note: all examples are UI-view32 screen captures
What is APRS?
It is a method of transmitting GPS and “Ham” Operator information via Amateur Radio that includes:
Location and tracking of vehicles, emergency sites, search personnel, community events, etc.
Note: all examples are UI-view32 screen captures

11. APRS information can be
displayed, in real time,
on a computer Map.

12. UI-view Central Okanagan Map

13. UI-view32 and local mapping - see the positions of cars ve7bzc-3, va7kb and the location of the CORD EOC – ve7eok

14. Information that can be extremely useful during emergencies !
Examples of information that can be transmitted:
Location coordinates, course direction, altitude, speed, temperature and voltage.
Information that can be extremely useful during emergencies !

15. The arrows: Coordinates, Compass Bearing from the receiving station, Speed, Height, Voltage and Temperature. (UI-view coordinates are in Deg., Min., decimal Min.)

16. APRS information transmitted via Amateur Radio can also include:
Ham Radio
Weather Station
Information

17. Weather data transmitted by ve7mmg-1
Place the cursor on, or “right click” on icon.

18. Two ways to “get on” APRS…
Mobile or Portable via RF
(moving location)
Home via Computer and/or RF
(fixed location)

19. APRS Mobile / Portable components: GPS + radio with a “built-in” TNC such as the Kenwood D700 mobile or D7AG handheld…
(TX and RX on MHz)
Or a GPS Receiver + TNC “black-box”
(such as TT3 & Open Tracker) + a VHF radio

20. A Typical Portable/Mobile Setup GPS + Radio + TNC

21. You can add RF with a radio + TNC…
Home APRS components: A Computer with Internet connection and an APRS Program
You can add RF with a radio + TNC…

22. All these “RF beacons” floating around in the atmosphere are part of the Worldwide APRS Network:
How do we access it ?

23. Putting APRS users on the Internet
Steve Dimse, K4HG, of Miami Florida wrote an APRS display program called “JavAPRS”. This program and its companion program, APRServe, work with the Internet to allow viewers to see real time data locally and from other parts of the World.
Check Steve’s web site at:

24. APRS Network components: Radio beacons, Computer beacons, and the Internet.
Accessing the data…

25. Examples of
Amateur Radio APRS
at work in
local Okanagan
Emergency Operations...

26. Amateur Radio + GPS + APRS and Emergency work…

27. UI-view map showing FireStorm 2003 activity

28. Fire Fighter evacuation point location
provided to rescue boat (in heavy smoke)
using APRS data from the Kelowna EOC !

29. Double click the blue to start movieP R S a t E O C
Double click the blue to start movie

30. NW CORD ESS Fire Evacuation Practice.
CORD EOC Radio Crew at
NW CORD ESS Fire Evacuation Practice.

31. UI-view APRS Tactical Messaging at
NW CORD ESS Fire Evacuation Practice

32. Amateur APRS Ops assist Community events
e.g. Parades, Memorial Cup, Triathlons, Ski-to-Sea

33. How is my spouse doing, driving in this snowstorm?
Personal examples of Amateur Radio APRS use:
For the skeptics… Don’t want to be seen right now?
“ It’s simple… Pull the plug ! ” 
How is my spouse doing, driving
in this snowstorm?
I wonder if ??? is down-town today?
Follow & Message family or friend
on the road far away.

34. APRS UI-view Station in the OCARC Club Radio Room – “ve7ogo”
is a registered Trade Mark of Bob Bruninga

35. LIVE DEMO Air Log

36. You can get UI-view information… Free UI-view Program Free Canadian Maps Settings Tips, Advice and Excellent Links from this site: >

38. In summary… What Do I Need to Join the APRS Community?
An Amateur Radio License and Call Sign.
( Basic or higher)
A Computer, with an Internet connection
(high speed preferred)
“FREE” UI-view32 !
…When you are ready, add RF capability!

39. The APRS Community… Another way to make Amateur Radio Friends… Worldwide !
VE7BZC VA7BAB
Norm & Betty Ann Barton

40. (Handout) Ham Song – Disk 