Cross Country Wireless APRS Messenger program

CCW APRS Messenger screenshot

The APRS Messenger program provides a simple way to send and receive APRS messages from an APRS TNC Digi Tracker on VHF and by APRS over PSK-63 on HF.

Features include:

The APRS Messenger program can be downloaded as a freeware 1.0 MB zip file here.

The frequency used for APRS over PSK-63 is 10.1497 MHz. Igates in Europe and the US are already in operation. Please use an SSID of -63 for APRS over PSK-63 operation.

Although the program is designed to promote our APRS TNC Digi Tracker it will work with other serial TNC's that accept the conv and Ctl-C commands for converse operation.

Version 2.37 now has GPS HF beaconing for mobile HF use.

Version 2.36 has a bug fix to the sub-routine inhibiting transmission on a busy channel and a 0.2 second delay to the HF Ack transmission to allow for relay switching on some HF transceivers.
Version 2.35 now has a PSK audio frequency selector, an additional 1500 Hz frequency for use with IF-DSP filters, a longer PSK preamble and will now work with Kantronics TNC's in terminal mode.
Version 2.34 now has a single PSK receiver with a +/- 100 Hz AFC search range. Users found that the extra complexity of having three receivers was not not worth it. The S meter has been changed and the PSK squelch level can now be changed by left clicking on the S meter bargraph. This should also help with Vista and Windows 7 installations as the original S meter used a control that is not guaranteed to work with Windows 7.
Version 2.33 reverts to the original PSK receiver squelch and AGC settings after user feedback.
Version 2.32 now has VHF heard and HF heard listboxes. Click on a callsign and it's placed in the "Send message to:" box and the transmit selector changed to the band that the station was heard on.
Version 2.30 has a sound card selector, HF beacon rate selector, TCP/IP output on port 8063 to send received HF and VHF APRS packets to other programs for map display
Version 2.27 has a minor bug fix to a runtime error in the message routine. This only shows after over 100 messages are sent and received in a session.
Version 2.26 has had a major re-write and now includes APRS over PSK-63 using the PC soundcard, a receive only Igate, frequency hopping PSK receiver AFC, TNC comm ports now extend to up to com port 16, major improvements to all areas of the program and a revised compiler so that it now works on all versions of Windows from Win 95 to Windows 7. Thanks to Ross, G6GVI, Jack G8HIK, Ian, G0CTO and David, G8UVE for all the on-air testing on 10.1497 MHz and comments.
Version 1.8.6 has a revised TNC converse mode routine. If the TNC drops into command mode the program automatically sends the "conv" command to resume converse mode.
Version 1.8.5 was not released.
Version 1.8.4 now enables the operator to tab between the APRS message, RAYNET message boxes and operating modes easily. This allows easy operation using the keyboard without moving the mouse.Thanks to John, G1CXE and Joe G0FYS for the suggestions at the North West RAYNET Association meeting.
Version 1.8.3 nows displays transmit and receive messages in same window
Version 1.8.2 has modifications to enable it to work with the TASCO TNC used in Kenwood and Alinco radios. Thanks to Hugh M1NTO and Howard G1BYY for the feedback.
Version 1.7.2 has several modifications suggested after demonstrating the program at a Bolton RAYNET group meeting. It also has a mod to clear a compatibility issue with the PK-232 that was raised by Ron Tonneson K0QVF.
Version 1.6.1 has a modified Ack routine to accept text Ack's.
Version 1.5.2 has improvements to the transmit / receive sequencer.
Version 1.4.1 has improved communication with the TNC to speed up response times and reduce errors.
Version 1.3.1 stops spurious messages being sent when the Send button in pressed several times
Version 1.2.0 fixes a bug in the Ack reply message.
Version 1.1.0 is fully functional and now has messaging working to the latest APRS specifications. The Decay Algorithm and Delayed ACK techniques included make APRS messaging fast and reliable compared to older APRS clients.
Version 0.9.2 has a revised layout to improve the readability of received messages. It also fits the 800 x 600 pixel screen size.
Version 0.9.1 now has a modified message parsing routine to work better with older TNC's, "RAYNET messaging" text boxes limited to 18 characters each and labels added to each text box.

Contact Chris Moulding, G4HYG via info@crosscountrywireless.net for more details or to provide feedback on the program.

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Click to join cross_country_wireless

APRS is a registered trademark of Bob Bruninga WB4APR. Click here to view Bob's website.
Cross Country Wireless (2009) Ltd is licensed by the trademark holder so that our APRS TNC Digi Tracker can be offered as a commercial product.

APRS is an international network of amateur radio stations providing real-time GPS based vehicle or event position reporting, weather reporting and simple message handling for educational, experimental or emergency use. APRS uses a common radio frequency of 144.800 MHz throughout Europe. Digital repeating (digipeating) is used to extend the range of mobile and low power stations over a wider area. In addition to the radio network internet gateways provide a two-way port to the internet so that stations local to the gateway can be seen worldwide on APRS viewing programs such as Xastir or UI-View.


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