Experienced hams have been talking about using APRS messages for SMS texting to friends and family for a few years now. I was mildly interested but found messaging tedious on a handheld transceiver, as well as the brief privacy implications of APRS SMS registration a barrier to entry.
However, when I finally bit the bullet and tried it out, especially with KI6NAZ’s revelations from using an Android tablet to compose messages (in Winlink), I realized that this is a fantastic and wholly viable option to traditional messaging when cell service is down in your immediate area.
Hence, I present to you my documented findings of amateur radio texting using APRS.
Check it out! https://bit.ly/how2smsaprs.
Special thanks to KM4ACK Jason for introducing me to this topic about a year ago, and especially VE3OTB Paul for creating the SMSGTE service, a vital service worthy of donation support.
