I've been using the APRS.FI iOS app with my TH-D75 for a few months now. It's pretty good. The messaging UI looks like any other, bubbles and APRS symbols for each side of the conversation. The D75 is in KISS mode so completely bypassing any of the built-in APRS software. I suppose this could be a problem if the iPhone decides to put the app to sleep but I have it set to run in the background all the time. You also have to specifically tell the app to use the TNC or it will prefer the internet connection (as one would expect from the number one Internet APRS site). The other nice thing about using the radio in KISS mode is that you can shut off the radio's GPS and save a little battery power.
At home I'm using a macOS program called QTH, an excellent APRS client that has extensive messaging capabilities. It will keep a running history of conversations similar to most texting apps, and will show bulletins grouped by group name. It is connected to a KISS over TCP TNC that's just a TM-D700 connected to the network via a serial to Ethernet adapter I picked up for $30 or so on Amazon, but that's mostly because I already had the TM-D700. Otherwise I would have built a Direwolf TNC and interface.
None of this was overly difficult to set up. Yes, Kenwood equipment is probably the Cadillac of APRS gear, but there are lots of options out there that are easily set up in an afternoon of tinkering. And for the most part once it's up, it's up. Note that I'm not doing any sort of iGating or connecting at all to the APRS.IS servers, just keeping the packets on my home network. There are plenty of iGates in my area already. I'm also only digipeating WIDE1-1, nothing more.
This fall the real work begins, that's getting other hams in the area to start using APRS for something other than tracking their RVs. I'll probably build a ready to go Direwolf on Pi image that they can just plug into their home network and get set up with minimal configuration. And provide some app recommendations and (detailed instructions).
Ready - APRS messaging is another one of those "hiding in plain sight" technologies in Amateur Radio that most Amateur Radio Operators are only peripherally aware of. They know that their TM-D710 or other "APRS" radio can DO it... it's just torturous to actually USE it with the microphone keypad or other crap input device. Thanks for the reference to the QTH Mac app - I'm going to check that out and potentially use it as you do, as a local network and RADIO application.
I've been using the APRS.FI iOS app with my TH-D75 for a few months now. It's pretty good. The messaging UI looks like any other, bubbles and APRS symbols for each side of the conversation. The D75 is in KISS mode so completely bypassing any of the built-in APRS software. I suppose this could be a problem if the iPhone decides to put the app to sleep but I have it set to run in the background all the time. You also have to specifically tell the app to use the TNC or it will prefer the internet connection (as one would expect from the number one Internet APRS site). The other nice thing about using the radio in KISS mode is that you can shut off the radio's GPS and save a little battery power.
At home I'm using a macOS program called QTH, an excellent APRS client that has extensive messaging capabilities. It will keep a running history of conversations similar to most texting apps, and will show bulletins grouped by group name. It is connected to a KISS over TCP TNC that's just a TM-D700 connected to the network via a serial to Ethernet adapter I picked up for $30 or so on Amazon, but that's mostly because I already had the TM-D700. Otherwise I would have built a Direwolf TNC and interface.
None of this was overly difficult to set up. Yes, Kenwood equipment is probably the Cadillac of APRS gear, but there are lots of options out there that are easily set up in an afternoon of tinkering. And for the most part once it's up, it's up. Note that I'm not doing any sort of iGating or connecting at all to the APRS.IS servers, just keeping the packets on my home network. There are plenty of iGates in my area already. I'm also only digipeating WIDE1-1, nothing more.
This fall the real work begins, that's getting other hams in the area to start using APRS for something other than tracking their RVs. I'll probably build a ready to go Direwolf on Pi image that they can just plug into their home network and get set up with minimal configuration. And provide some app recommendations and (detailed instructions).
Ready - APRS messaging is another one of those "hiding in plain sight" technologies in Amateur Radio that most Amateur Radio Operators are only peripherally aware of. They know that their TM-D710 or other "APRS" radio can DO it... it's just torturous to actually USE it with the microphone keypad or other crap input device. Thanks for the reference to the QTH Mac app - I'm going to check that out and potentially use it as you do, as a local network and RADIO application.