Rediscover APRS with the APRS Documentation Project by WB2OSZ

If you’ve ever tried learning about APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), you probably ran into the same problems many of us have: outdated blogs, half-baked tutorials, confusing specs, or links to long-abandoned software. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned ham operator, the search for clear, reliable, and modern APRS information can feel like a treasure hunt—until now.

John, WB2OSZ has quietly built something incredible: a community-curated APRS documentation repository that lives on GitHub — and it’s a goldmine.

🚀 What’s Inside?

The APRS Documentation Project isn’t just a document dump. It’s a thoughtfully collected and regularly updated library of the most relevant and practical APRS guides out there, including:

• What is APRS? – A straight-talking explanation from the creator himself, Bob Bruninga WB4APR (SK), that busts myths and reveals the real purpose of APRS: real-time tactical communication, not just vehicle tracking.
• Understanding APRS Packets – A great resource to help decode packet structure without drowning in the AX.25 spec.
• How to Get Started in APRS – No more buying vintage TNCs or spending big on radios you don’t need. This is beginner-friendly advice, perfect for LoRa APRS users too.
• The Best APRS Presentations – Planning to give a talk at a club or hamfest? This collection can help you prepare a solid presentation without starting from scratch.
• APRS Digipeater Algorithm – Finally, a modern explanation of how APRS digipeaters should work—essential reading if you’re running one or developing your own.
• APRS12b & APRS12c Draft Specs – These drafts aim to update the long-obsolete APRS101 spec with all the real-world tweaks and improvements made since 2000.

🌍 APRS Is Still Alive — and Evolving

APRS is more alive than ever. Radios and devices with built-in APRS features are becoming more common. And with events like APRS Thursday, the global community is actively encouraging more messaging and experimentation.

Even the International Space Station is on board—literally. There are documents here showing how you can use an HT to contact the ISS via APRS. No fancy gear needed.

💬 Contribute or Just Read

This is an open-source, community-powered project. You don’t have to be a coder to help—just read the docs, share feedback, or contribute links to better resources. If you’re building tools, running IGates or digis, or just trying to get a LoRa tracker working, you’ll want to keep an eye on this repository.

📁 GitHub link: https://github.com/wb2osz/aprsspec

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re using any available APRS software or hardware or experimenting with your own custom APRS software or hardware, this project is worth bookmarking. It’s clean, current, and community-driven — something APRS desperately needed.