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OpenAPRS app for iPhone and iPad


4.0 ( 1830 ratings )
Social Networking Entertainment
Developer: OpenAPRS
3.99 USD
Current version: 2.4.1, last update: 7 years ago
First release : 11 Mar 2010
App size: 2.44 Mb

OpenAPRS iPhone Edition brings the world of APRS right to your iPhone. Paired with iPhone’s built in map engine, Internet connection and GPS, OpenAPRS gives you access to check your APRS messages, beacon your position and view other Amateur Radio operators anywhere in the world.

NEW! Supports APRS messaging via push notifications. When an APRS message is sent to your callsign via APRS-IS or RF (if it gets igated) you can be alerted to the new message even when the app is closed.

NEW! Beacon your position while the app is in the background.

Send your position with any model iPhone by assisted GPS, cell phone triangulation or manual coordinate entry. Share your trip with your friends as they view you on their iPhones, APRS software connected to APRS-IS or on the OpenAPRS website:

http://www.openaprs.net/

Posted positions can also be viewed at other APRS websites such as aprs.fi, findu.com and APRSWorld.

Check your APRS messages or send a message to a friend right from OpenAPRS iPhone Edition. Our servers are always on to receive and store your messages so you don’t have to keep a station running 24/7. Never miss a message again!

Non or aspiring Amateur Radio operators can also view APRS activity near them on OpenAPRS iPhone Edition but will not be able to send their position or messages. Not yet a HAM operator? There is still time, check out www.arrl.net for information on how to study and where to take your Technician class exam today; no morse code required!

A free account with OpenAPRS is required to send your position or send and receive messages. Signing up is easy, simply open up OpenAPRS iPhone Edition, click the signup tab, fill out the form and click Signup! The app will automatically contact our servers and set up your account. You will need to have a valid email account to receive our activation message to activate your account. The activation email should be received within about 15 minutes, click the activation link, start up OpenAPRS iPhone Edition and you’re all set.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you already have an unverified account with OpenAPRS and purchase this app, you DO NOT need to also pay to have your account verified. Existing account users can use the Signup tab in the app to convert their account to verified status for free. Reviews that state you must also pay additional costs for verification are inaccurate and did not read the instructions with the app and did not contact support for help.

Features:

- Callsign SSID support.
- Ability to change your APRS Icon.
- Auto beaconing on a user settable interval.
- Custom position comment.
- Breadcrumb creation to show your beaconed positions throughout your trip.
- Auto centering map on movement.
- Ability to disable the iPhone screen saver to use as a map during your travels
- Manual coordinate entry if desired for beacons instead of using automatic GPS coordinates.
- Supports sending and receiving APRS messages to your callsign + SSID. You don’t have to be online when a message is sent to you, our servers will store messages until you check them.
- Distance traveled indicator.
- Estimated speed based on time and position change between updates (not to be used as an actual speedometer).
- Built in compass that works on 3GS or higher iPhones.
- Search for stations by callsign (wildcards accepted)
- Course and speed included in position reports.
- Station icons rotate to their reported bearing.
- Symbol overlay support.

OpenAPRS iPhone Edition will run on iPod touch but will need to have coordinates entered manually unless it is connected to a well-known WiFi location.

Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Pros and cons of OpenAPRS app for iPhone and iPad

OpenAPRS app good for

This app really works well, It is well worth the price, would recommend it to all hams who have an Iphone.
No new problems observed with this version. Map is fine, Messaging is fine, Search is fine. The use of an asterisk after a base call sign was an unknown capability until I read it in findu.
Super fast map. Easy to use and configure. Other comment is in error when he said you must have a new account because my existing OpenAPRS account worked fine.
and like it on the iPhone; but even with manual entry of location the grid is off. Thank you for app.
works great. a little time to figure out, and Im off and running. very handy how it loads nearest stations to my qth.
An APRS app that works great. This has been a long time coming. Scott, KA7FVV

Some bad moments

Requires email account password to sign up. Not a good idea. I am in error, while not clear, the signup is asking for your email and a NEW password for the open system. Message throughput seems sluggish.
Purchased this for my iPhone 3G (8GB model) to run as a mobile APRS in my vehicle. Sadly it crashes constantly (and not just the app, the whole Springboard with it), hogs memory like Ive never seen an app do, is extremely sluggish changing between screens, and does not remember my station settings after close/reopen. Not worth the money for me to have to go through setup-from-new every time I open the app. :(
Was a nice app, but now you have to pay another $4.99 to verify your account to even be able to beacon your location - what a ripoff. Ill stick to IBCNU.
Im still on 4.3.2 (intentionally) and cannot update this app now since it is apparently marked for ios5. Theres a $4 app down the drain. :-(
In general I like the program but for me I need a refresh more often than 5 minutes or a way to force it. If you move to another part of the map you wait for 5 minutes for an update. I sent a request to see if there was a manual update but received no reply.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Settings screen is difficult to get to and difficult to dismiss. Additional settings are hidden in global settings screen. Disappointing.