MichiganOne DMR Tech Net

Join us on the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net as we make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easier to understand and fun to use!

The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net is heard on BrandMeister Talkgroup 31266 (MichiganOne Nets channel) Monday night, starting with check-ins and comments at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net technical segment after that.

Join us on Monday, March 9 as we discuss using APRS & GPS with DMR

The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net starts at 7:30 pm with the check-in portion for your comments.
We switch over to the technical segment (we estimate 7:55 pm – 8:10 pm ET), after all check-ins, comments, and re-checks are completed.
The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net NCS schedule is:

• Mar 9 James            N8TMP
• Mar 16 Brad               KE8WNV
• Mar 23 Steve              KC8WXM
• Mar 30 Curt                KFØCQN
• Apr 6 Rick                AD8KN

You can chat with the MichiganOne Tech Net team on TGIF talkgroup 31268, the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net channel or BrandMeister talkgroup 31266, the MichiganOne Nets channel.  After Monday’s MichiganOne DMR Tech show, you can chat with us on Hams Over IP (HoIP) MichiganOne DMR Tech Net Conference Room 10098.

Join the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net team on Telegram. Just search for “DMR Tech Net.”  To download Telegram, go to: https://web.telegram.org and/or https://desktop.telegram.org/

Join the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net team on Discord:  To join us, click this link: https://discord.gg/EV82GNuCaS.  To download Discord, go to https://discord.com.

If someone else forwarded you this newsletter, why not subscribe now?  It’s easy to join the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net email distribution list.  There are two ways.  The first method is to go to our website and click the “Subscribe to our Newsletter” red button on the top right side.  Or second, you send an email to: [email protected]t with your name and callsign. That’s it!  If you need to unsubscribe, follow the previous procedure but put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.  We will miss you!  To see previous newsletters, check out our website: https://michiganonedmrtech.net/

These are the articles posted over the past week on https://michiganonedmrtech.net

• Monday, March 9 we’ll discuss APRS & GPS
• RaDAR Rally 2026 Registration is now open
• Licensed operators get FCC exemption from new rules
• it: Audio replay and transcription of Monay, March 2 MichiganOne DMR Tech Net
• HamClock lives on
• Photography terms and jargon explained
• Join us on Monday, March 2 as we discuss DMR Operating Etiquette and Common Sense

(Tentative) MichiganOne DMR Tech Net topics:

What is APRS?

APRS stands for Automatic Packet Reporting System.

APRS is a digital system used by amateur radio operators to automatically send small packets of data over radio. These packets can include:

• Your GPS location
• Short text messages
• Weather station data
• Status updates
• Position of mobile stations

APRS helps operators see where other stations are located in real time.

Most APRS information can be viewed online through sites like APRS.fi.

What is GPS?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System.

It is a satellite navigation system that allows your radio (or phone) to determine your exact location on Earth.

Many modern DMR radios include a built-in GPS receiver. When enabled, the radio can transmit your location automatically.

Who Uses APRS?

APRS is used by many amateur radio operators including:

• Mobile operators driving around
• Event volunteers
• Emergency communications teams
• Weather station owners
• Search and rescue groups
• Operators tracking long-distance travel

Within the MichiganOne community, APRS is useful for seeing where operators are located around Michigan and during events or nets.

What Does APRS Do?

APRS sends short digital data packets over radio frequencies. These packets can contain:

• Your callsign
  • Your GPS coordinates
  • Speed and direction if moving
  • A short status message

Other stations and internet gateways receive the packet and display it on maps.

You can often see stations on a map at APRS.fi.

This makes it easy to track stations during:

• Road trips
• Public service events
• Emergency communications
• Storm spotting

Where Does APRS Work?

Traditional APRS typically operates on 144.390 MHz in North America.

However, APRS can also be connected to digital networks like BrandMeister, allowing DMR radios with GPS to send location data to APRS networks through gateways.

This means:

Your DMR radio → DMR network → APRS servers → Internet map

When Should You Use APRS?

APRS is helpful anytime you want to share your location or station information automatically.

Common situations include:

• Traveling across the state
  • Mobile operation
  • Special events
  • Emergency communications
  • Field Day operations
  • Spotting storms or weather events

Many operators enable APRS when operating mobile so others can see where they are traveling.

Why Do Operators Use APRS?

APRS provides several benefits:

• Location Awareness

Operators can see where stations are located.

• Emergency Use

During disasters, APRS can help track volunteers and resources.

• Messaging

Short text messages can be sent through APRS.

• Situational Awareness

During events, coordinators can see where volunteers are deployed.

For MichiganOne operators, APRS can help show where Tech Net participants are located across Michigan.

How APRS Works (Simple Explanation)

Here is the basic process:

1. Your radio gets your location from GPS satellites.
2. The radio creates a small digital packet.
3. The packet is transmitted over radio.
4. A receiving station or gateway picks it up.
5. The information is sent to APRS servers.
6. It appears on websites and maps like APRS.fi, APRS.to, or APRSdroid.org.

It happens automatically once configured.

What You Need to Use APRS

To use APRS you typically need:

✔ A radio that supports APRS or GPS
✔ A GPS receiver (built-in or external)
✔ Correct radio programming
✔ An APRS-compatible network or frequency

Many modern radios from manufacturers like Anytone, TYT, and BTech support GPS and APRS features.

Beginner Tips for APRS

• Keep Beacon Rates Reasonable

Avoid sending location updates too frequently.

• Use Clear Status Messages

Example:
“Mobile in Lansing”
“Portable – Field Day”

• Protect Battery Life

GPS can reduce battery time.

• Test Before Events

Make sure your position shows correctly on APRS.fi or APRS.to

Summary

APRS is a powerful tool that combines radio and GPS technology to share real-time station information.

For MichiganOne operators:

• APRS allows operators to see each other on maps
  • GPS provides automatic location updates
  • APRS packets transmit small data messages
  • Information appears online through APRS servers
  • It improves coordination during events and emergency communications

While APRS may sound complicated at first, once programmed it usually works automatically in the background.

MichiganOne DMR Tech Net Quiz

1. What does APRS stand for?

A. Automatic Position Radio System
B. Automatic Packet Reporting System
C. Amateur Packet Radio Service
D. Advanced Packet Relay System

2. What system provides the location used by APRS?

A. Wi-Fi
B. Bluetooth
C. GPS
D. FM radio

3. What website commonly displays APRS stations on a map?

A, QRZ.com
B. APRS.fi
C. HamStudy.org
D. RepeaterBook

4. What kind of information can APRS transmit?

A. GPS location
B. Short messages
C. Weather data
D. All of the above

5. Why might APRS be useful during events or emergencies?

A. It tracks station locations
B. It increases transmit power
C. It replaces repeaters
D. It eliminates GPS

Quiz Answers

1. B — Automatic Packet Reporting System
2. C — GPS
3. B — APRS.fi
4. D — All of the above
5. A — It tracks station locations

Welcome to the N2RWE Live Real-time APRS Map website! Our goal is to offer a diverse and easy-to-use set of tools along with a variety of data from APRS-IS, CWOP-IS, OGN, CBAPRS networks. We package this data around a responsive map with fast updates and display it with easy to read APRS symbols!

This website is built upon on a variety of cutting edge tools and technologies, woven together by carefully crafted, custom written software. The goal of the N2RWE Live Real-time APRS Map is to provide a highly responsive and interactive map with fast updates that aggregates data from as many publically available sources that we can find. This site provides several unique features such as Maidenhead Grid maps, a list of the latest heard stations and USA and Canadian license database search.

We also offer several other tools for APRS enthusiasts, including geolocation searching, reverse-address lookup, as well as diagnostic tools like live packet streams, station stats, history, etc. For those into Summits on the Air (SOTA), we process SOTA information that is sent over the APRS-IS network and link it to a variety of SOTA websites.

We are an active supporter of the #APRSThursday weekly net which is managed by Michael KC8OWL, held every Thursday with the aim of growing message activity on APRS across the world. More information is available on our #APRSThursday page and at the #APRSThursday event website.

Not into APRS? Try Weather!

That’s okay too. We offer a very unique and diverse set of tools geared towards weather buffs. Our servers collect and store data from the Citizens Weather network, which can be pesented several forms, including fancy weather gauges for current conditions (including dew point and wind chill), graphs of historical data, and exportable table views of weather data. There’s also a weather alamanac view that shows the past 7 days fo weather data recorded for every site, including daily extremes like high and low temperatures, humidity, etc.

Not sure what APRS is?

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is a digital communications system that uses packet radio to send real time tactical information (on amateur radio frequencies). The APRS network is used by ham radio operators all over the world. Information shared over the APRS network is for example coordinates, altitude, speed, heading, text messages, alerts, announcements, bulletins and weather data. APRS has been developed by Bob Bruninga (silent key), callsign WB4APR. More information about APRS can be found at www.aprs.org or at wikipedia.

The APRS specification is not only used by ham radio operators, there are also for several other areas of use, such as e.g. for CWOP and OGN data, even European CB operators use it (CBAPRS).

About the Software

The N2RWE Live Real-time APRS Map is running on a collection of open source and custom software. The current site version is 4.1, release 2025-04 build 15a, released by Steve White, N2RWE. Please Contact Us with any questions about this website.

https://aprs.to/