SMS message from APRS
I was looking for a way to send a text message in the both direction from / to amateur radio. The one I mentioned in the previous post is one-way communication from an amateur radio to a mobile device via E-mail. We cannot reply to the message on the mobile device side. That is a big limitation for the communication.
After I checked the web site of APRS, there is another service through SMSGTE (APRS/SMS Gateway). This method provides communication in the both direction with some limitation. I think it works.
Here is how it works:
- Using "SMSGTE" instead of a call sign when people send a message
- In a message body, inserting "@xxxxxxxxxxx " (xxxxxxxxxx is a phone number) to specify the destination of SMS message.
As long as the packet is going through to APRS-IS via IGATE station, a message can be delivered to a mobile device. Also the person who received the message can reply to the message with in 30 minutes from the last message. I tested this scheme in some different location with disabling cellular network data. Now this might be a way to send a message even if a cellular network is out of the range. Now APRS is probably very useful on a trail during hiking.
If you carefully look into the site, the service is provided in limited region. The United States is one of countries where the service is available.
- We can send out a location information periodically and people can trace the location from the internet. (To trace the location history, no amateur license is required)
- We can tell stations who is close to the current location. Call-signs are listed and they can exchange messages each other. It is probably useful to contact those station in case people needs some assistance.
- We can send SMS message to any mobile device. (limited countries)
To use APRS, people need to get amateur radio license, but I think it worth to get it. It helps a lot in case something happens during hiking in an area where a cellular service is not available.
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