APRS Messages Help Sheet

This document summarizes four ways APRS can be used to send and receive APRS messages using an APRS message enabled radio or other devices or message platforms. Each section outlines what data format is needed in the “TO” field and Message Body field to complete the message process. The values in brackets < > are the variables you supply. This Document does NOT cover how to setup APRS on a radio or how to send the APRS message or setting up an APRS Beacon.

Download Butch’s orginal document here.

1. Sending an APRS Message (Radio to Radio)

This format requires that the recipient radio operator be on-the-air and able to receive the APRS message.

Note: If the operator is not on-the-air, not running APRS, or cannot connect to an APRS Digipeater, the message is never delivered.

Format:

TO: <Call Sign>-<suffix>
MSG: <Message>

Example:

TO: KD8BXY-9
MSG: Hello Paul, arrived safely, no cell service.

2. Sending an APRS Message (Radio to Server to Radio)

This format does not require the recipient radio operator to be on-the-air to receive the APRS message. The message(s) are stored on a server until the recipient retrieves them.

2.1 Format

Format:

TO: MAIL
MSG: @<Call Sign>-<suffix> <Message>

Example:

TO: MAIL
MSG: @KA8OAD-7 Echo Link node is Off-line.

2.2 Retrieving your APRS Messages (Radio to Server to Radio)

You can retrieve your APRS messages stored on the server when you are on-the-air.

Format:

TO: MAIL
MSG: APRSM

Example:

TO: MAIL
MSG: APRSM

3. Sending APRS Messages to or from a Cell Phone

3.1 Sending an APRS Message (Radio to Cell Phone)

This format will send an APRS message to a cellular phone user via an SMS (Short Message Service) Gateway.

Format:

TO: SMS
MSG: @<Cell Number> <Message>

Example:

TO: SMS
MSG: @1234567890 Need assistance.

3.2 Sending/Replying an APRS Message (Cell Phone to Radio)

This format will send an APRS message to an APRS message-enabled radio from a cell phone, via the APRS SMS Gateway.

Format:

TO: 866-352-4096 (APRS SMS Gateway)
MSG: @<Call Sign>-<suffix> <Message>

Examples:

Cell Phone TX Example:

TO: 866-352-4096
MSG: @WB8YYS-7 When does the Net start tonight?

Radio RX Example:

FROM: SMS
MSG: @9876543210 When does the Net start tonight?

4. Sending an APRS Message (Radio to E-mail Address)

This format will send an APRS message to a user’s email address.

Format:

TO: EMAIL
MSG: <e-mail address> <Message>

Examples:

Radio TX Example:

TO: EMAIL
MSG: KD8BXY@Hotmail.com I will be in route to home soon!

E-mail RX Example:

TO: KD8BXY@hotmail.com
FROM: <Call Sign>-<suffix> <email@aprs.earth>
MSG: I’ll be in route to home soon!

Note: Check the junk mail folder! Add the sending email address to your contacts. Email users/recipients cannot reply/respond to these email messages.

5. APRS Messages Waiting Delivery Notification

The message server can automatically notify you of messages waiting to be delivered. To have this service enabled, include APMAIL in your APRS custom position beacon text.

Example to Enable:

APMAIL

You can verify your APRS Position comments are correct on APRS.fi.

6. Butch’s Kenwood D710 APRS Settings