Tracer2

Tracer2 is a mobile app that performs an APRS TRACKER using a transmitter (or an internet connection without transmitter when used in “direct mode”).

It is a software, for HAM radio amateurs, that may be used for tracking vehicles without a dedicated equipment and without a gsm or internet connection (when not used in direct internet mode).

The app uses the GPS receiver of the phone to determinate the position and the movements of the vehicle an produces the Aprs Packets sound that can be broadcasted by a HAM radio transmitter (vhf or other band). The transmitted information is then received and forwarded, by the IGate stations, to the APRS network so that the vehicle can be seen in maps of aprs-clients or on particular websites, for example aprs.fi or aprsdirect.de.

If you already own an unused cellular phone, Tracer2 represents a very cheap, compact and easy-to-use solution for implementing a temporary or permanent radio amateur tracking system.

In the main page of the app there are two indicator lights: one indicates the presence of a good GPS signal and one indicates whether the vehicle is moving (green) or is considered stationary (orange). Near these two indicators there is the indication of the wind rose direction towards which the vehicle moves. When used in direct internet mode there is a third light indicator that monitors the internet connection. There are also two counters reporting the number of transmitted packets and the number of packets that will be transmitted in the next time slot, according to the aprs channel accessing rules. When you leave the main page while the Tracer is running, the app service will continue working in the background, you can recall the main page by tapping the service icon in the android status bar. When the main page is visualized, it shows, in the events hub, the information about movements and stops, but it doesn’t report events generated when the page is closed.