Android GPS Tracking with APRS Integration

An Android application that combines modern GPS tracking capabilities with the Amateur Position Reporting System (APRS) network.

• Track and visualize their real-time location on Google Maps

• Transmit custom messages to APRS-IS network

• Navigate to specified coordinates with distance reporting to APRS network

Location Tracking & Visualization

• Live GPS location tracking with Google Maps integration
• Real-time speed, bearing, and road name display
• Trail visualization shows live tracking
• Direction determination based on bearing

APRS Integration

• Automatic connection to APRS-IS servers
• Standard-compliant APRS packet formatting
• Configurable update intervals
• TCP/IP APRS-IS authentication & communication
• Custom APRS network message

AWS Cloud Integration

• API Gateway REST API
• JSON-based position passed to Lambda
• Real-time data updates to AWS RDS

Navigation Capabilities

• Support for destination coordinates via text input
• Haversine distance calculation to target
• Update APRS message in real time with distance to destination

Technical Implementation

Key Components

• AprsService: Manages APRS packet creation + transmission
• AwsService: Handles AWS API communication & data persistence
• MapsActivity: Controls the user interface & map visualization
• LocationRequest: Configures high-precision location updates

Core Technologies

• Kotlin: 100% Kotlin usage with modern language standards implemented
• Android Location Services: FusedLocationProvider consumes battery efficiently
• Google Maps SDK: Live mapping & visualization
• Foreground Services: Background operations
• OkHttp: HTTP client for API communication
• APRS Protocol: Standards compliant implementation for APRS radio network integration

Architecture Features

• Modular UI, location services, and data transmission
• Efficient background processing & proper lifecycle management
• Eerror handling and reconnection
• Configurable BuildConfig parameters

Future Enhancements

• Option to store images from trips
• Implement RF APRS transmission capability with Bluetooth
• Add historical track visualization and playback
• Create user-defined symbols and improve custom status UX
• Add more columns and data to AWS RDS
• Implement two-way messaging via APRS messaging
• GeoFences for automatic start / stop tracking
• Smart Beaconing for better battery consumption

Contributing

Contributions are welcome. Feel free to submit a PR.