KD0TLS: web-based APRS services

  APRS.fi is, in my opinion, the primary APRS website today. There are others, such as findu.com or aprsdirect.com that take data from the APRS/CWOP servers and display it on a map. 

Findu.com has an unwieldy method of getting data and accessing the site's functions: creating URLs. It allows sending APRS messages from the website, which is novel, but you need to create a URL with the sender's and receiver's callsign + SSID. For example, if I wanted to send an APRS message from my laptop station (KD0TLS-7) to James' gateway (N0ALE-10), I would create the URL: 

https://www.findu.com/cgi-bin//entermsg.cgi?fromcall=KD0TLS-7&tocall=N0ALE-10

Findu.com web-based APRS messaging

 This is a case where you don't even need an APRS client to message amateur operators around the world. You would simply use a web browser, something found in any OS. But as I said, the method is unwieldy. Still, if you are in the habit of messaging a certain operator regularly, a bookmark can be created to spare you a lot of this trouble. While this messaging uses the -IS (Internet Service), any RF-based amateur operator within range of a TX gateway (e.g. W0PZT-1, W0YC-5, N0ALE-10, KD0TLS-1, etc.) will have that message transmitted over RF to them.

 Aprs.fi also has a service called a "web station" that allows operators to use their web browsers to create an icon on the aprs.fi site. I should emphasize that this is not actually APRS. Your location, callsign, icon, and comment field will not appear on any APRS server, nor will it be broadcast over RF. It will only appear on the aprs.fi website. But, if you find installing and configuring an actual APRS client to be too daunting (or too much work to simply try out APRS), then it's a reasonable substitute. 

 To use this service, you should first create an account on aprs.fi, and I strongly recommend using your callsign as the username, since this will be what the site posts on the map. Creating an account will also allow you to make and save filters for the map views, which is very useful and will be covered in the future. 

 Again, the site has specific instructions on how to upload your position and edit your icon, etc. I won't duplicate them here, other than to say that you right-click on your location and choose "Upload my position". 

 While this isn't real APRS, the aprs.fi site is used by so many amateurs world-wide that it becomes "real enough" for some hams. It's also a compromise method of creating objects -- though far from the real thing. I should also point out that other amateurs won't be able to message you through this service, as you are not actually on the APRS servers. 

 Overall, I see these web-based APRS services as a way to get amateurs exposed to APRS in a painless way. The barriers to real APRS operation are so low currently, that anyone who is even mildly interested in these services should seriously consider getting an app or client to take part in the actual APRS service. Putting APRSDroid on your smart-phone or installing APRSIS32 on your Windows PC is relatively simple, and either will allow an amateur to participate in APRS without a radio or antenna.