Setting up APRS on the AnyTone 878 (including the UVII and Plus models) can be a bit confusing at first, but once you walk through the steps, it becomes clear.
The radio supports Analog APRS (FM-based) natively, and with certain hotspots or systems, you can integrate DMR APRS (Digital) as well.
Below is a step-by-step guide to set up Analog APRS TX (Transmit)—the most common use.
✅ Steps to Set Up APRS on the AnyTone 878 (Analog APRS TX)
📌 Prerequisites:
- Latest CPS software and firmware (check AnyTone/BridgeCom site)
- Programming cable and Windows PC
- A valid callsign with optional SSID (like KCØMYP-7 for HT)
- APRS frequency in your region (typically 390 MHz in North America)
🔧 1. Open CPS (Computer Programming Software)
Make sure you’re using the correct version for your radio model (878UV, 878UVII, etc.).
📡 2. Set APRS Configuration
In the CPS, go to: Optional Settings → APRS
APRS Settings Tab:
- APRS Auto TX Interval: 60–180 sec (adjust based on your use)
- APRS Auto TX Mode: TX during GPS lock / PTT / or always
- APRS Signal Path: WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 (standard path for mobiles/HTs)
- APRS Frequency (Analog): 144.390 MHz (check your country)
- Tx Tone: Usually Off (unless local digipeaters require tone)
- Your APRS CallSign: KCØMYP-7 (change to your callsign & SSID)
- APRS Tx Enable: ✔️ (Checked)
- APRS Tx Delay: 600 ms is typical
- GPS Baud Rate: 9600 (default)
📝 Pro Tip: SSIDs help identify device types:
- -7 = handheld
- -9 = mobile
- -10 = internet gateway
- -13 = weather station
🛰️ 3. Enable GPS in Radio
On the radio itself:
- Menu → GPS → Turn On
- Allow time for satellite lock (outdoors is best)
📻 4. Create a Channel for APRS TX
In CPS, under Channel Settings:
- Channel Name: “APRS TX”
- RX Freq / TX Freq: 144.390 MHz
- TX Power: Low or Medium (HT range)
- Channel Type: Analog
- Tone Mode: None (unless local digipeaters require PL tone)
- Scan Add: Off
- APRStx Enable: ✔️ (Enable for this channel)
📁 5. Add Channel to a Zone
- Go to Zone Settings in CPS
- Add your new APRS TX channel to a zone you use regularly (like “APRS” or “Utility”)
📥 6. Write the Codeplug to Your Radio
Click Program → Write to Radio, select everything, and click OK.
📲 7. Activate GPS & APRS on the Radio
- Menu → GPS → GPS On
- Switch to your APRS TX channel
- Walk around or PTT to trigger beaconing (if set that way)
- You should see your position upload via RF
🧪 8. Test on APRS.fi
- Go to https://aprs.fi or https://aprs.to
- Search your callsign (e.g., KCØMYP-7)
- If it’s working, you’ll see your location appear
✅ BONUS: DMR APRS (Optional)
- DMR APRS TX requires BrandMeister setup
- Use BrandMeister SelfCare to configure your DMR ID
- Set the radio to send position data via TG 310999
- Works through hotspots or BM-linked repeaters
Here are practical troubleshooting tips for both analog APRS and DMR APRS, tailored for users of radios like the AnyTone 878:
🛠️ APRS Troubleshooting Tips
📍 1. Not Showing Up on APRS.fi?
- Make sure you’ve waited long enough (can take several minutes).
- Check that GPS is enabled on your radio and locked (usually requires being outdoors).
- Confirm your TX interval is not too long (set to 60–180 seconds for testing).
- Ensure you’re beaconing on the correct frequency:
- 144.390 MHz in North America
- If using DMR APRS, verify you’re sending on TG 310999 (BrandMeister).
📶 2. Is Your Radio Actually Transmitting?
- Monitor 144.390 MHz with another radio to see if your APRS packets are being transmitted.
- Listen for short “blip” bursts — those are the packet sounds.
- Make sure APRS TX is enabled in both the APRS menu and the channel settings.
📡 3. GPS Not Locking In?
- Go outside or near a window for the best chance at satellite lock.
- Turn GPS on:
- Menu → GPS → GPS On
- Allow up to 5 minutes for initial lock.
🔊 4. APRS Digipeater Not Picking You Up?
- Use a path of WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 — this is the most reliable mobile/HT path.
- Try raising your antenna or moving to higher ground.
- Ensure the APRS channel is not set to narrowband (12.5 kHz) — use 25 kHz wideband if available.
💬 5. Wrong Callsign or SSID?
- Double-check your callsign and SSID in your APRS config.
- Example: KCØMYP-7 for handheld.
- If you change your SSID, it may show up as a “new” station on APRS.fi.
⚙️ 6. APRS TX Delay Too Short?
- If digipeaters aren’t decoding your packets, try increasing TX delay to 600ms or 1000ms in your CPS settings. This gives the radio time to fully key up before sending data.
🌐 7. BrandMeister DMR APRS Not Working?
- Log into BrandMeister SelfCare and:
- Select your radio type (e.g., AnyTone)
- Enter your APRS callsign-SSID
- Set APRS interval
- Choose APRS server address
- On the radio, make sure you’re using a channel with:
- TG 310999 as the APRS TG
- Data mode enabled
🧪 8. Still Stuck? Try This Checklist:
- ✅ Is APRS TX enabled in both the APRS config and the channel?
- ✅ Is GPS On and Locked?
- ✅ Are you on the correct frequency or talkgroup?
- ✅ Can another nearby ham or SDR see or hear your packets?
- ✅ Is your hotspot/repeater passing APRS packets?
📄 APRS Troubleshooting Cheatsheet
For Analog & DMR APRS on radios like the AnyTone 878
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
| ❌ Not showing on APRS.fi | No GPS lock | Go outside or near a window; make sure GPS is ON and locked |
| Wrong frequency | Use 144.390 MHz in North America | |
| Not beaconing | Set APRS TX Interval (60–180 sec); check channel APRS TX is enabled | |
| Using DMR but not hitting network | Use TG 310999 for BrandMeister APRS; ensure SelfCare is configured | |
| 📡 No APRS packets heard | Wrong TX path | Use WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 for HT/mobile |
| Antenna or location issue | Try higher elevation or move outdoors | |
| TX delay too short | Set APRS TX delay to 600ms–1000ms in CPS | |
| 🛰️ GPS won’t lock | Poor satellite view | Go outside and wait up to 5 mins; enable GPS: Menu → GPS → GPS On |
| 🔈 No beacon from radio | APRS not enabled on channel | Enable “APRS Tx” in channel settings in CPS |
| Channel not set to analog | APRS only works on analog channels (not digital TGs unless using DMR APRS) | |
| 🌐 BrandMeister DMR APRS not working | SelfCare not configured | Go to brandmeister.network, login to SelfCare, and set APRS settings |
| Talkgroup misconfigured | Use TG 310999, enable Data mode | |
| 🆔 Wrong callsign/SSID on map | Callsign typo or incorrect SSID | Use format like KCØMYP-7 (HT), -9 (mobile), -10 (iGate) |
| 🧪 Can’t confirm radio is transmitting | No monitoring tool | Use a second radio or SDR on 144.390 MHz to listen for bursts |
| 💬 Can’t decode packets | Channel bandwidth mismatch | Use 25 kHz (wideband) for analog APRS if available |