iBCNU is an APRS GPS position reporting and text-messaging application for the Apple iPhone.
When position reporting is enabled, the application will periodically send out location of your iPhone using either 3G or WiFi network and iPhone’s built in GPS receiver.
The rate at which position reports are sent out is adjustable. Once the GPS information is in the APRS-IS system, it is shared between all users and you can track yourself or track your friends using this or one of the many APRS mapping sites.
When used as a text-messaging tool, iBCNU will let you send and receive messages using the APRS-IS system. You can send short (approximately 512 character) messages to your ham friends for free.
This item is apparently available, or will be availble soon, for sale thru the Apple Itunes Store for $1.99.
I did a search at store.apple.com for “iBCNU” (I be seeing you?), “APRS”, “Amatuer Radio” and didn’t find it listed as active. Reading the developer’s log revealed that he ha been experiencing some “technical difficulties” meeting Apple’s “human interface standards” and other “issues” which have delayed the release of an updated version to the initial release, or any of us from downloading it. (Note: I don’t have an iPhone anyway. – Lee)
Not sure if Apple will require you to provide a valid ham radio license before buying, or if we’ll end up with all sorts of interesting APRS ID’s out there. System uses only the Internet to send the position reports or text message, not a Ham Radio, but it claims you can send “messages to your ham friends for free”, which implies that there is some method of interface built in.
Question was raised over on another list about non-hams using it, but it would appear that the sending of the APRS signal is only being done thru the Internet with no ham radio involvement. But then you read the last sentence in the author’s description and have to wonder if this interface will be kosher or not? The app was developed by a ham operator here in the USA.
Hams posting to his developer’s log seem to approve of it for the most part.
Website here.. http://ibcnu.us/
Developer’s log file here… http://www.davidus.sk/web/main/index/article_id/9
Hmm.. Comments?
