aprs.fi v2.5.5 released

GainIO has released version 2.5.5 of aprs.fi for iOS.  This is the official iPhone and iPad application of aprs.fi, the favourite APRS web site of the amateur radio world.

Obtain immediate, real-time access to current APRS position information, weather reports, telemetry graphs, and more. Zoom and browse around the world and see stations immediately – no waiting.

  • Search callsigns and addresses, with quick search-as-you-type and search history features
  • Track multiple stations at the same time
  • Filter information shown on the map (weather stations, AIS)
  • View weather, telemetry and statistic graphs
  • Beacon your position on aprs.fi
  • Attach to a transceiver with a wireless connection to a BLE TNC, receive and transmit position beacons without the Internet
  • Runs directly on top of the reliable and fast aprs.fi database
  • Tested to work great on all currently-supported iPhone and iPad models
  • Supports iOS 11/12/13
  • Dark Mode support for an ergonomic viewing experience in low-light environments
  • High-resolution graphics for Retina and Retina HD displays with full APRS symbol set

Buy the app – get the web site for free!

Some new features require a subscription. All old and some new features will be available without a subscription fee. A list of features included in the Extra Features subscription package:

  • APRS text messaging
  • High-performance software DSP modem
  • APRS-IS beaconing, with up to 10 callsign profiles
  • Long time ranges in map and graph views

Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

GPS is not required for viewing APRS information.

aprs.fi for iOS can be downloaded for $6.99 from the Apple App Store

Support for the aprs.fi iOS app for iPhone and iPad is available at http://aprs.fi/page/app_support

What’s New in Version 2.5.5

  • Improve station symbol placement on the map. Don’t just place them in random incorrect positions near the correct position, but rather draw them in the actual precise position instead. This bug was introduced in version 2.5.4.

Version 2.5.4 which was released October 8, 2024 included the following changes:

  • 1-year Extra Features subscriptions now support Family Sharing!
  • Localisation updates: Updated translations for Chinese/Traditional, Japanese, and German. Thank you, everyone who helped on this!
  • Implemented device identifier detection for Mic-E position packets received from a TNC, with the help of the aprs-deviceid database.
  • Updated the aprs-deviceid database to the latest version to detect brand new devices.
  • Messaging: The app used to crash when deleting threads without actually selecting any threads for deletion first. This might seem like an odd thing to do, but as a paying customer you have the right to delete all of 0 threads, and the app should certainly not crash. It no longer does.
  • Messaging: The app used to crash when the “Select all” button was pressed, but no threads existed for selection. Fixed the silly little bug so that all of 0 threads can now selected without a crash.
  • Messaging: Only show relevant actions in the message context menu (when pressing a message for a longer time). It no longer suggests you to “retransmit” a received message.
  • Messaging: Links are now clickable in messages, and shall open up your preferred web browser.
  • TNC: When stopping the DSP modem using the Disconnect button, the modem now actually closes the audio input device, and the recording indicator goes away.
  • Replaced several deprecated iOS APIs with new ones to keep up with new iOS versions. Updated a bunch of other little things to new versions.

Version 2.5.3 which was released February 20, 2024 included the following changes:

  • Enabled new translation for Chinese – Traditional, and updated Romanian translation. Thank you, contributors!
  • Custom notification sound for incoming messages.
  • Updated aprs-deviceid database for local device identification for packets received from a TNC, including some new radios.
  • Some internal enhancements which should not, in theory, have any visible side effects.