If you’ve ever been involved in emergency communications, public service events, or even casual ham radio APRS tracking, you’ve likely searched for software that’s reliable, offline-capable, and easy to use. PinPoint might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Developed by Frank, AB0WV, PinPoint is a free, Windows-based APRS application that has been battle-tested by ARES volunteers in real-world field scenarios — from weather spotter deployments to emergency exercises. While many APRS tools exist, PinPoint stands out for its combination of simplicity, capability, and field-readiness.

What Is PinPoint?

At its core, PinPoint is a visual APRS tracking and communication tool designed for ham radio operators. It allows you to see the real-time location of stations (and objects) on a map, whether you’re using a TNC and radio or just listening in on APRS-IS.

But PinPoint is more than just dots on a screen. It’s a tactical tool for field operations. Imagine a storm spotter network where the incident commander can track every mobile unit’s position and guide them safely around bad weather — that’s the kind of use case PinPoint excels at.

Why Hams Like It

Here are a few reasons why PinPoint has been well-received by the amateur radio community:

• ✅ Modern, clean interface
• ✅ Built-in map support (Google, Bing, OpenStreetMap, etc.)
• ✅ Offline-capable – Maps are cached and stored locally
• ✅ Supports a wide range of TNCs and soundmodems
• ✅ No Internet required during operations
• ✅ Free for personal use

It was even featured in the September 2018 issue of QST magazine, which says a lot about its credibility.

Features That Matter

PinPoint includes some thoughtful features that are rare in other APRS clients:

• Flexible mapping: From street maps to satellite imagery — all cached for offline use.
• Mouse-friendly UI: Most actions can be done with a click — no arcane config files or obscure hotkeys.
• Tactical awareness tools: Designed with real-world deployments in mind.
• Built-in APRS-IS support for iGate (receive-only).
• Modular and straightforward setup, especially for new users.

It’s clear that the author designed this with usability in mind, without sacrificing the serious features needed for actual field use.

What You’ll Need

To get PinPoint up and running, you’ll need:

• A Windows machine (Windows 7 to 11 recommended)
• .NET Framework 4.7.2 installed
• A radio + TNC setup (or soundmodem like DireWolf or VARA)
• A GPS if you’re going mobile
• APRS-IS access if you’re operating online
• And, of course, a valid amateur radio license

Ideal For…

• ARES and RACES deployments
• Severe weather spotting teams
• Mobile APRS tracking in vehicles
• Field Day and public service events
• Any ham who wants a clean, offline-friendly APRS solution

Still in Active Development

What’s impressive is that PinPoint is still actively maintained. If you have feedback or suggestions, you can reach out directly to the author via email. Frank listens to the community, and features are added based on actual user needs. It’s refreshing to see a ham radio app that doesn’t feel abandoned.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to like about PinPoint. It strikes a balance between powerful features and user-friendliness. And for emergency communications, where tools need to work without Internet, PinPoint delivers. It’s free, reliable, and tailored to the kinds of real-world challenges hams actually face in the field.

If you’re a Windows user and looking for an APRS tool that’s more than just a viewer, give PinPoint a try.

👉 Download PinPoint here