APRS messaging for ham radio. APRS-IS, KISS TNC & Bluetooth TNC support.
About APRS Chat
APRS Chat is a communication app developed by Hemna LLC.
How many times has APRS Chat been downloaded?
APRS Chat has been downloaded 230 times. In the last 30 days, the app was downloaded 100 times.
What is the rating of APRS Chat?
APRS Chat has no ratings yet.
Is APRS Chat free?
APRS Chat is free to download. The APK download size is 4.77 MB. The latest version available is 1.3.1. The last update was on June 12, 2026.
What are the requirements for APRS Chat?
The app has a content rating of Everyone. The app has been available on Google Play May 2026.
Description
APRS Chat is a modern APRS messaging app for ham radio operators. Send messages, track stations on a map, and get notified when friends come online.
WHAT IS APRS CHAT?
APRS Chat brings the Automatic Packet Reporting System to your pocket. Licensed amateur radio operators use APRS to exchange short text messages, share position, and stay connected over RF and the internet. Clean, modern ham radio messaging.
KEY FEATURES
• Callsign Watchlist — monitor friends and get push notifications when they come online over APRS • Direct callsign-to-callsign messaging with delivery acknowledgments • Group messaging via ANSRVR — join nets and chat with multiple hams • APRS bulletins and announcements — read and post network-wide messages • Station map with real-time positions for all heard stations • Connect via APRS-IS, TCP KISS, or Bluetooth Serial KISS • Smart message retry with configurable timing and attempt count • Position beaconing with adjustable interval (1–60 minutes) • Offline message queue — messages send automatically when reconnected • Customizable APRS symbol and beacon comment • Real-time connection status with TX/RX packet counters and uptime • Automatic regional APRS-IS server selection • Path selection (WIDE1-1, WIDE2-2, custom paths) • Background service for reliable position reports and messaging • Station distance and bearing from your current position • Online presence indicators — see which stations are active • Quiet hours — suppress notifications during sleep • Raw APRS packet view for digital ham experimenters
CONNECTION OPTIONS
APRS-IS (Internet Gateway) Connect to the worldwide APRS-IS network with automatic server selection. No extra hardware — just internet and your callsign.
TCP KISS (Network TNC) Connect to a network-attached KISS TNC over WiFi or Ethernet. Works with DigiPi, Direwolf on a Raspberry Pi, and other software modems.
Serial KISS over Bluetooth (Hardware TNC) Pair with a Bluetooth KISS TNC like the Mobilinkd TNC3 or TNC4. Take APRS messaging anywhere — hiking, mobile, RV, SOTA, POTA. Full RF, no internet needed.
COMPATIBLE HARDWARE
APRS Chat works with any standards-compliant KISS TNC. Verified on:
• Mobilinkd TNC3 and TNC4 (Bluetooth Serial KISS) • DigiPi (TCP KISS over WiFi) • Direwolf software modem (TCP KISS, any Linux/Mac/Windows host) • VGC-N7600, Surecom, and other generic Bluetooth KISS TNCs • Any radio paired to a compatible TNC — Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, Baofeng, AnyTone
WHO IT'S FOR
• Ham operators and packet radio enthusiasts • Search-and-rescue and emergency comms volunteers • SOTA, POTA, and outdoor activators • Mobile operators tracking position with friends and clubs • Net control stations and group coordinators • Digital ham experimenters and APRS-curious newcomers
WHY APRS CHAT
Modern alternative to legacy APRS apps. Built for current Android — Material Design, dark mode, fast Bluetooth pairing, reliable background services. No 2010-era UI — just APRS messaging that works.
REQUIREMENTS
• Valid amateur radio license and callsign • Internet connection for APRS-IS mode • Compatible KISS TNC and radio for RF modes (optional) • Android 8.0 or newer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does APRS Chat work without internet? Yes — with a KISS TNC and a radio, APRS Chat operates fully on RF.
Can I use APRS Chat with my Mobilinkd TNC? Yes — Mobilinkd TNC3 and TNC4 are fully supported via Bluetooth Serial KISS.
Can I join APRS group chats? Yes — connect to ANSRVR groups to chat with multiple operators.
Is APRS Chat free? Yes — the core app is free with optional premium for advanced features like Callsign Watchlist notifications.
73 de the APRS Chat team!
Recent changes: v1.3.1 — Stability Hotfix
What's new: • Fixed crash on launch affecting Android 12–16 users • Connection keepalive no longer requires location permission • Background service handling fully resilient to power-saving restrictions
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A standout app in amateur radio that offers a robust selection of useful tools in a great, easy-to-use user interface.
★★★★★J.R.· May 30, 2026
This is an interesting modern take on an aprs client. I like the UI. I like the smart messaging features like JOKE and APRS Thursday. My only wish would be a map layer to show stations in the area, pulled from aprs. Fi or equivalent. So you can see what stations are around.
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