APRS ~ Text message

Text message exchange
   APRS is not only tracking a location, but also sending messages.   I have not really test to exchange messages between amateur radio stations listed on the software.   I think as long as the both stations are in a range to communicate each other, it should not be a big problem to exchange the message.   However, I am not really sure if we can send a message from a radio to a station on the internet.  Basically a smart phone software "PocketPacket" can be used with the internet connection.  Therefore I thought I could send a message from radio to such station.   Based on my simple experiments, it does not seems that the message is really going through.

Email from a radio

   However based on an internet search, it is possible to send out an email.  Just using "EMAIL" as receiver.   For the US cellular carrier, it is also possible to send a text message as well.

• Sprint: [insert 10-digit number]@messaging.sprintpcs.com
• T-Mobile: [insert 10-digit number]@tmomail.net
• AT&T: [insert 10-digit number]@txt.att.net
• Verizon: [insert 10-digit number]@vtext.com

The email address is a part of a message body like, "xxxxxxxxxxxx@vtext.com test message"

I tested this method and works, as long as the packet is picked up digipeater / iGate, then the message was delivered.   The problem is the receiver could not reply the message.

I still need to learn how the message could be sent out to a station....

But at least, a text message can be sent even if an area is out of cellular network.  It is still useful.