We're thrilled to announce the public launch of APRS Radio Online—a hosted platform that brings the power of APRSD to ham radio operators without the complexity of self-hosting.
What is APRS Radio Online?
APRS Radio Online is a cloud-hosted service that lets you run your own APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) instance. Whether you want a personal email gateway, a webchat interface, or a full-featured APRS server with plugins, we've made it simple to get on the air.
For years, running an APRS service meant setting up your own server, configuring APRSD, managing updates, and ensuring uptime. Now, you can have all of that handled for you—just sign up, configure your instance through our guided wizard, and you're live on the APRS-IS network.
Three Ways to Get on APRS
Personal Email Service
Our newest offering is the Personal Email service—a pre-configured APRS email gateway that lets you send and receive emails through your own email provider directly from your radio. It comes with Email, Ping, Version, and Help plugins already set up. No configuration headaches, no plugin fees—just a flat monthly rate and you're ready to go.
Imagine being out in the field, miles from any internet connection, and being able to send an email to anyone in the world using just your handheld radio. That's what Personal Email makes possible.
APRS Webchat
Want to chat over APRS without needing a radio or client software? APRS Webchat gives you a browser-based interface to send and receive APRS messages. It's perfect for:
- Getting started with APRS before investing in equipment
- Monitoring your APRS traffic from anywhere
- Quick messaging when you're away from your radio
APRS Server (Full APRSD)
For operators who want the full APRSD experience, our APRS Server option gives you complete control. Start with the base instance and add plugins as you need them:
- Weather plugins for WX data
- Location plugins for position reporting
- Notification plugins for alerts
- Custom plugins from the APRSD ecosystem
Mix and match to build exactly the service you need.
How It Works
The magic happens through the APRS-IS (APRS Internet System) network. Here's the flow:
- You transmit an APRS packet from your radio on 144.39 MHz (in North America)
- A nearby iGate receives your RF packet and forwards it to the internet
- The packet travels through the APRS-IS network
- Your APRS Radio Online instance receives it and responds
- The reply travels back through APRS-IS to an iGate near you
- The iGate transmits the response on RF, and your radio receives it
All of this happens in seconds, giving you internet-connected services through your radio.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
We believe in straightforward pricing:
- Personal Email: $4/month flat—everything included
- Webchat: $4/month flat
- APRS Server: $2/month base + plugin costs (most plugins are $0–1/month)
You only pay when you deploy. Create an account, set up your instance, test the configuration—all free. You're only charged when you go live on the network.
Built for Hams, by Hams
APRS Radio Online is built on APRSD, the open-source APRS daemon created by Craig Lamparter (WB4BOR). We're passionate about amateur radio and committed to making APRS more accessible to operators everywhere.
Every instance you create is a real APRSD server running in a container, connected to the live APRS-IS network. You get a web dashboard to view logs, manage configuration, and monitor your service—no SSH required.
Get Started Today
Ready to get your own APRS service? Here's how:
- Create an account with your callsign
- Choose your service type: Personal Email, Webchat, or Server
- Follow our setup wizard—we'll guide you through every step
- Deploy when you're ready—pay monthly via PayPal
We handle the infrastructure, updates, and uptime. You focus on enjoying APRS.
What's Next
This is just the beginning. We're actively developing new features:
- More plugin options
- Enhanced monitoring and statistics
- Mobile app for managing your instances on the go
- And more based on your feedback
We'd love to hear from you. What features would make APRS Radio Online more useful for your operating style? Drop us a line and let us know.
73 and see you on the air!
—The APRS Radio Online Team