What is APSPOT?
APSPOT stands for APRS SPOT
APSPOT is a new APRS system designed to provide a one-stop shop for self spotting activations via APRS, to the myriad of activity based spotting systems out there.
It is the brain child of Josh – VK2MES. Josh can be contacted at josh@apspot.radio if you have any enquiries or have any suggestions
Why?
I built APSPOT as I wanted to be able to SPOT myself on parksnpeaks.org when out in the field running WWFF, SOTA or POTA activations, via APRS. Coupled with an iPhone application and a very simple interface cable it’s relatively simple to send a message on APRS over HF. VHF APRS is supported by a number of off-the-shelf radios and in some areas VHF APRS is much more prolific than mobile phone coverage. There are a number of existing APRS spotting systems for the different activities out there, but are all different, conform to different formats, and have differing levels of success (For example, although it’s fixed now, POTAGW was down for a long time).
APSpot solves this problem by providing a single entry point to SPOT from, with a single, consistent command format and then places spots out on multiple systems (where applicable), so that people far and wide can see that you’re in a park, on a summit, at a silo, etc and ready to go.
What does it support?
At present, APSPOT supports the following activities:
WWFF (World Wide Flora and Fauna) – https://wwff.co/
SOTA (Summits On The Air) – https://www.sota.org.uk/
POTA (Parks On The Air) – https://parksontheair.com/
SiOTA (Silos On The Air) – https://www.silosontheair.com/
Where does it send to?
That depends on the activity you’re doing. Currently the system sends as follows:
WWFF:
APSPOT submits a SPOT to http://parksnpeaks.org/ – You must be a valid user at ParksNPeaks for your SPOT to be submitted or the system will not submit the spot for you. This is to prevent misuse of the system.
WWFF Spots are also commonly placed by hunters for activators onto the DX Cluster, however the DXCC Code Of Conduct frowns upon self-spotting, and as this is a self-spotting service we’re not (currently) posting SPOTs there.
SOTA:
APSPOT submits a SPOT to http://parksnpeaks.org/ – You must be a valid user at ParksNPeaks for your SPOT to be submitted or the system will not submit the spot for you. This is to prevent misuse of the system.
ParksNPeaks is also linked through to SOTAWatch – and the ParksNPeaks system will then cross-post the SPOT to SOTAWatch so your SPOT will appear on both systems.
POTA:
APSPOT submits a SPOT to http://parksnpeaks.org/ AND to https://pota.app/ – You must be a valid user in each for your SPOT to be submitted to that system. system. If you’re only a user in pota.app and not PNP, or vice versa, the system will only submit the SPOT to the system you’re a valid user in.
SiOTA:
APSPOT submits a SPOT to http://parksnpeaks.org/ – You must be a valid user at ParksNPeaks for your SPOT to be submitted or the system will not submit the spot for you. This is to prevent misuse of the system.
How do I spot?
Head over to the Usage page for info on how to use APSPOT
Head over to the Visual Example page if you prefer an example with images
Head over to the Video Example page if you prefer an example in a video
How do I get involved?
Head over to the To Do List/Development page for more information on how to get involved with the project.
My activity isn’t listed!
If you want to spot for a system/activity thats not currently supported then let me know. I’m always happy to add more systems to APSPOT so that it’s the ultimate one-stop-shop for APRS Self Spotting.