ACK: Aprs Client for Kotlin

ACK is a series of multiplatform Kotlin utilities and data structures for parsing Ham Radio APRS packets.

Parser

The ACK Parser provides data structures and a multiplatform parsing utility for handling AFSK AX.25 Frames as well as String frames from APRS-IS.

Maven Coordinates

Sources

CLI

The ACK CLI Client provides a jvm application for receiving data from APRS-IS, as well as file-parsing and other APRS utilities such as passcode generation.

Android Application

The ACK Android Application provides APRS-IS and AFSK access to the APRS network as well detailed logs and maps.

Note: The ACK Android application is still experimental.

Q&A

What is an APRS-IS Passcode and where do I get one?

Internet Services for APRS (APRS-IS) requires a passcode in order to publish data to the service. This is only required if you intend to broadcast your location to the Internet APRS services, and is intended to control spam and limit the sevice to licensed radio operators.

We do not assign these passcodes and they are generated from your license. There are different ways you can obtain these, it is up to you to obtain one properly for your license.

For the advanced user, the command line tool for ACK can also generate these for you.

Is the App Free?

The app can be installed directly through GitHub or using an installer such as Obtainium

The app is available through the Google Play Store. This method is not free, however. This is both to support development and to offset the additional work required to work with Google. Updates through this method may be slower and less reliable.

How can I Support Development

If you would like to support the developer, you can do so through Github Sponsors

Will the Android application work offline?

Yes.

This application was designed specifically with offline in mind.

Internet specific features, such as APRS-IS will obviously not be available offline.

Does the Android application require Play Services?

No.

I have gone out of my way to make sure that this application does not require Google's Play services and will function on nearly any Android device.

Is there an iOS App?

No.

This would require a lot of additional work to support less compatible devices in a closed and unfriendly ecosystem. An iOS compatible application is not being considered at this time.

However, the core library supports Kotlin Multiplatform, much of which is compatible with Apple native targets.