Introduction to APRSDroid and LoRa APRS Tracker

APRSDroid is a popular Android application that allows amateur radio operators to send and receive APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) data. It is widely used for tracking, messaging, and weather reporting in the ham radio community. The NA7Q modded version of APRSDroid includes additional enhancements, making it more versatile for different setups, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) compability.

The LoRa APRS Tracker is a compact device that enables long-range APRS communications using LoRa technology. It is widely used for transmitting position reports, messages, and telemetry data over the APRS network. When paired with the modded APRSDroid app, users can effectively use their LoRa APRS tracker with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and TNC KISS mode for seamless APRS communication.

Steps to Set Up NA7Q APRSDroid with LoRa APRS Tracker

1. Download and Install NA7Q Modded APRSDroid

First, download the NA7Q modded version of APRSDroid from a trusted source. This version provides additional features not available in the standard APRSDroid application.

2. Configure the LoRa APRS Tracker

To set up your LoRa APRS Tracker in BLE and KISS mode, follow these steps:

1. Power on the LoRa APRS Tracker.
2. Switch the tracker to AP Mode for configuration.
3. Connect to the tracker’s Wi-Fi network using the default password: 1234567890.
4. Access the tracker’s web configuration page via a web browser.
5. Navigate to the settings page and enable BLE and KISS mode.
6. Save and reboot the tracker.

3. Configure Connection Preferences in APRSDroid

Once the LoRa APRS Tracker is set up, configure the NA7Q APRSDroid mod to connect to it via Bluetooth:

1. Open APRSDroid (NA7Q Mod) on your Android device.
2. Go to Preferences > Connection Preferences.
3. Select TNC (KISS) Protocol.
4. Under Connection Type, choose Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
5. If your LoRa APRS Tracker is not already paired with your Android device, pair it via Bluetooth settings.
6. Select the paired LoRa APRS Tracker as the TNC Bluetooth device.
7. Save the settings and return to the main screen.

4. Start Using APRSDroid with LoRa APRS Tracker

Once configured, you can start using APRSDroid to send and receive APRS packets via LoRa APRS Tracker. Ensure that:

• The tracker is powered on and in BLE mode.
• The APRSDroid app is running and connected.
• Your APRS packets are being transmitted and received successfully.

Here is a demonstration video

Conclusion

Using the NA7Q modded APRSDroid with a LoRa APRS Tracker in Bluetooth Low Energy and KISS mode provides a seamless way to communicate over APRS. This setup is particularly useful for portable and mobile APRS operations, offering long-range communication with minimal power consumption. Try it out and enhance your APRS experience with LoRa technology!

Visit:

1. https://na7q.com/aprsdroid-osm/
2. https://github.com/richonguzman/LoRa_APRS_Tracker