APRS Spots page added
Logged-in members now have access to an APRS Spots page which will show any stations active using APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) within the area of the Lake District that have been spotted by an IGate (internet gateway) station and logged to an APRS server.
The use of APRS could add a useful extra safety element to summit activation and provide an alternative means of alerting chasers to the spotting system. The availability of radios such as the Yaesu VX-8R with built-in GPS and APRS support makes this a viable option for activators willing to invest in the equipment, and the APRS Spots page has been provided to support it.
I have set up my FT-817ND with a Slim Jim antenna to receive APRS packets in the North Lakeland area and forward them to the APRS network. However, more IGate stations are needed. Keen chasers could become IGates at no cost simply by installing the UI-View32software and connecting it to a 2m FM receiver tuned to 144.800MHz.