South Jersey APRS Map
This South Jersey APRS map shows the ham radio stations reporting their positions around us right now. APRS stands for Automatic Packet Reporting System. In short, a radio sends a tiny burst of data with its location, and other stations pass it along. As a result, cars, hikers, weather stations and digipeaters all pop up on the map.
ACURA members get special treatment on this page. First, we highlight every club callsign so you can spot your fellow members. Then, below that, the full live map covers all of South Jersey, from the Pine Barrens to the shore.
ACURA Members on APRS
Every club callsign appears below. A green dot means that member has beaconed recently, so a click jumps right to them on the map. A grey dot means we have not heard them lately. In that case, a click searches aprs.fi for any of their stations. The list comes straight from our club roster, so new members show up on their own.
Live APRS Map of South Jersey
This live map shows every APRS station heard in the last hour across the region. You can drag it, zoom in, and click any icon to see who it is. Moving stations also leave a short trail, so you can follow a mobile as it travels.
Live map from aprs.fi. It can take a few seconds to load the first time. Open it full screen for the station list and search box.
What Is APRS?
APRS is a digital mode that has been part of amateur radio since the early 1990s. In the United States, most of it happens on a single VHF frequency, 144.390 MHz. A station sends a short packet with its callsign, position and a brief comment. Next, a nearby digipeater repeats it, and an internet gateway, called an iGate, copies it to the worldwide APRS network. That is how it lands on maps like this one.
Beyond positions, APRS also carries weather reports, short text messages and bulletins. For example, many weather stations in our area report temperature, wind and rain every few minutes. Likewise, APRS is handy at public service events, because net control can see where every volunteer is.
How to Get Your Callsign on the Map
Getting on APRS is easier than most people think. Here is the quick version:
- Use a radio with APRS built in. Many Kenwood, Yaesu and newer handhelds have it. Alternatively, pair a phone app such as APRSdroid with a radio or a small TNC.
- Set your radio to 144.390 MHz and enter your callsign. Add an SSID if you like, for example -9 for a car or -7 for a handheld.
- Choose your beacon rate. Every few minutes while moving is plenty, and SmartBeaconing saves airtime.
- Key up and wait a minute or two. Then check this page, and your callsign should appear once an iGate hears you.
Remember to use the same callsign that is on the club roster, so your station gets highlighted. If yours is missing or wrong, just contact us and we will fix it.
More Digital Radio at ACURA
APRS is only one of the digital modes our members enjoy. For instance, the South Jersey Mesh Map shows the Meshtastic and MeshCore radios on the air nearby. In addition, our Repeater Status Board shows which club repeaters are online. New to the hobby? Start with our New Hams page, and then check the Testing Schedule to earn your license.