How To Track Someone With APRS.FI

May 2, 2009

 

Ham Radio and Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) devices combine nicely to enable GPS data to be reported to internet connected databases so that near real-time position and telemetry reports can be made available on Google maps.  One site that provides this service is http://APRS.FI .  The site, once loaded, provides updates every few seconds.  I found a few ways to improve your use of that site and the information it provides.

 ·         SHOW LAST – When you go to that site you can track me by entering AB9NN-9 in the login text box.  However, you may not be able to track me if I have not made a report in over 15 minutes.  Once on the map page, notice the “Show Last” drop down box in the upper right hand side of the page.  This allows you to change the display to show that last 15 minutes of reports all the way through to the last 7 days of reports.  Try different setting to determine when the last time I made a report.  I like to keep my maps generally set at 24 hours.  Make sure to give the map time to update.

 ·         PREFERENCES – You may have noticed that the measurements are in metric and the time zone is WAY off…  It also would be nice to be notified when there is movement by the person you are tracking.  Well – there is!  Among other things, you can customize Units and Time, Details and Sound.  I like to turn sound on, then leave the map loaded while I browse other sites, etc. in other tabs or windows.  I hear a distinct “click” when the person I am tracking moves.

 

·         UPDATING or IDLE – Down below Preferences are Information links.  Then below that is a status box that will flash Updating or Idle.  If you watch that change over a couple of minutes you will get an idea of how often the page will update.  Remember that even if the page updates every 30 seconds you won’t see any changes in the map if the person you are tracking has their tracker to transmit every ten minutes, for example.  Tracker transmit times are able to be controlled by the user.

 

·         LINKING TO APRS.FI – http://aprs.fi/page/linking will give you plenty of information on how to link to this wonderful site.  I have linked to this site from my website at http://www.HamRadioResources.com and I have links set as favorites on my browser at work.  I do a bit of browsing on breaks.

 

There are other features of this site, but these few may help you enjoy the site a bit more.

 Stay radio active!

 Jon Kreski, AB9NN

http://www.HamRadioResources.com

 


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