iAPRS Frequently Asked Questions:

Why can't I see my location displayed on my favorite website when I can see it on findu.com?

Will iAPRS work with my original iPhone-- without the GPS?

Will iAPRS update my location automatically while I am moving?

Can iAPRS post my location automatically on launch?

What future enhancements to iAPRS are being planned?

 

Q: Why can't I see my location displayed on my favorite website when I can see it on findu.com?

A: Sadly, at the moment, not all APRS viewing systems support the uncompressed data format that the OpenAPRS.net APRS servers send to the APRS internet system.

The iAPRS software exchanges it's data exclusively with the OpenAPRS servers using what they call the DCC or 'direct client connection'. OpenAPRS handles the 'magic' of transcoding the location data from iAPRS into the format that the APRS internet network needs. This takes a heavy burden off the iPhone, which would otherwise have to decypher the many APRS data formats that are valid, which would likely diminish the iPhone performance.

By using the OpenAPRS DCC service, iAPRS is able to make use of the strong Amateur Radio license verification proceedures that OpenAPRS has put in place to assure that only licensed ham radio operators post to the APRS network.

Similarly, the OpenAPRS system allows for those without an amateur radio license to extract data and monitor the APRS activity. This would NOT be possible if iAPRS connected directly into one of the APRS-is servers (as you need a callsign to do so). Non ham family members of APRS active hams would surely find iAPRS handy, and may become interested in obtaining their ham license because of this.

Q: Will iAPRS work with my original iPhone-- without the GPS?

A: YES! iAPRS will use what is known as cellphone tower triangulation to find your position. This is not as accurate as what a GPS will provide, but in metropolitan and densly populated suburban areas it should be accurate enough for effective use.

Q: Will iAPRS update my location automatically while I am moving?

A: NO. iAPRS is NOT meant to replace your mobile APRS transceiver. The intent is to provide a means of display (and location updating) for use when you reach a destination and wish to either post your location so other interested parties can see where you are, or for you to see who is nearby.

If iAPRS was used in a manner to duplicate the typical mobile APRS transceiver it would surely run the battery down in the iPhone, causing not only the iAPRS app to cease functioning in a relatively short period of time, but more importantly, it would cause the telephone functionality to no longer work sooner than you might like. The iPhone is, in reality, intended to be primarily a telephone.

This function will be available in a future release for those who don't worry about battery life.

Q: Can iAPRS post my location automatically on launch?

A: NO. You need to hit the 'LOCATE' button once iAPRS is ready in order to post your location.

The automatic posting on application startup was not included in order to give the user the ability to determine what location accuracy they wanted to send their location with. On initial startup the GPS takes a few seconds to lock onto the satellites, and this varies from location to location. If iAPRS posted it's location right away on startup it would often post a very poor location compared to the location that would be posted if there was a suitable delay for the GPS or cellphone triangulation to have it's time to work (and this time varies).

Q: What future enhancements to iAPRS are being planned?

A: On the docket for future releases is the capability to send and receive short text messages, a callsign search function with a 'callsign favorites' menu. Additionally, the ability to automatically report your position periodically will also become available.

With the callsign favorites system will be a means to have iAPRS automatically grab the location of one of the selected favorites on initial startup (withOUT posting the iPhones location). This would be handy for family members desireing a quick and simple tool to check on the location of a particular member or friend.

These enhancements should be available by the third quarter of 2010.