Ottawa & Eastern Ontario APRS information

Ottawa APRS Activity

This is a real time map showing the position of APRS stations in and around Ottawa. Updates automatically. Click a call sign for more information on that station.

What is APRS?

APRS stands for "Automatic Position Reporting System". APRS is used to transmit real-time position reports, weather reports, storm warnings, direction finding bearings, and text messages using amateur radio. The transmitted data can then be processed with a computer and mapping software to view the data with pinpoint accuracy.

The most wide spread form of APRS uses the AX.25 protocol at 1200 baud on the 2 meter amateur frequency of 144.390 Mhz. A large number of digital repeaters receives and relays the transmitted data across the APRS network. Now with the aid of internet gateways, data is also relayed to the APRS internet system for worldwide coverage. There are also a number of low earth orbiting satellites that are capable of relaying APRS data. This includes the International Space Station.

An APRS radio station is made up of the following equipment: a radio and antenna (of course), a TNC or Terminal Node Controller, (basically a "radio modem"), and if you plan to be in motion, a GPS receiver. You may also want a computer with APRS software if you plan on viewing data on a map, but this is optional.

The most common software for APRS in our area is UI-View32 v2.03. It's a fantastic program with many available addons. You can download it from the Official UI-View32 Home Page. The program is FREE, however there is a simple registration process to follow before it can be used.

APRS Settings for Eastern Ontario

• Mobile Stations: set PATH to "WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1"
• Home Stations: set PATH to "WIDE2-1"
• Digipeaters: set PATH to "WIDE2-1", UIDIGI to support "WIDEN-n"

As a service to Eastern Ontario APRS users, Brad (VE3BSM) has put together a page with a collection of tips that will help you set up your APRS station to follow the standards of the Eastern Ontario APRS network. The intent is to allow you to efficiently get your APRS beacons out to the nearest igate and/or digipeater, and to reduce congestion on the APRS network.

Eastern Ontario APRS Tips from VE3BSM

Eastern Ontario APRS Maps for UI-View

Available for download is a collection of high resolution APRS maps for UI-View. They cover a good portion of eastern ontario, but not all of it. I'll try to create more as time will allow. Note that these maps are intended for systems running their display at a resolution of 1280x960 or higher. If your display is set to a lower resolution, you will have to scroll to see the whole map in UI-View.

Simply unzip these files to your "MAPS" folder, which is located under the UI-View folder (normally in "C:\Program Files\Peak Systems\UI-View32").

	Grid Squares FN03, FN04, FN05, FN13, FN14, FN15, FN23, FN24, FN25, FN33, FN34, FN35. Each square in its own map (12 maps). Download 684993 bytes
	The above grid squares, but in 3 maps covering 4 to 6 squares each. Download 330447 bytes
	Wide view of Eastern Ontario (for widescreen monitors) Download 153133 bytes
	Ottawa, Ontario - 70km Download 82274 bytes
	Ottawa to Montreal VERY high resolution. Courtesy of VE3OIJ, Thanks! Download 6184038 bytes
	Almonte, Ontario - 24km Download 34267 bytes
	Belleville, Ontario - 26km Download 53598 bytes
	Brockville, Ontario - 24km Download 54032 bytes
	Carleton Place, Perth, and Kemptville Ontario - 85km Download bytes
	Carleton Place, Ontario - 24km Download 40033 bytes
	Kemptville, Ontario - 30km Download 49201 bytes
	Kingston, Ontario - 30km Download 68157 bytes
	Napanee, Ontario - 16km Download 34717 bytes
	Perth, Ontario - 30km Download 41628 bytes
	Prescott & Russell, Ontario - 75km Download 31657 bytes
	Quinte Region - 125km Download 43065 bytes
	Smiths Falls, Ontario - 24km Download 42664 bytes