OpenStreetMap.org maps on aprs.fi

Today I added OpenStreetMap maps on aprs.fi. They can be selected using the map type drop-down menu in the top right corner of the map.

OSM support has been on my things-to-do list for a couple years, but since then, it had become much easier to do, and the map coverage of OSM had increased greatly.

The OSM maps have data in many places where there's no Google Maps coverage at all (for example, take a look at Tbilisi, Georgia). Around my home there's more accurate coverage of walking paths in addition to roads.

If you'd like to improve the OSM maps in your area, just go to openstreetmap.org and click on Edit. Please see the wiki for more information on how to get started. If you feel the Google Maps aren't so good in your area, editing OSM maps can become a nice long-lasting hobby project!

Heard & Gated statistics: 6 months of history accessible

The "who heard who" statistics on the info pages of APRS igates and digipeaters now have a pull-down selection for the past 6 months of data. The same selector was also added for the gated and heard maps. The feature had been requested by quite a few users in the past, and it's been on my mind from the moment I added these statistics in the first place. The data was there in the database, I just hadn't gotten around to adding the user interface for jumping between months before now.

Tracking multiple stations in embedded map

A little Sunday morning coding brought the embedded map up to par with the real-time map's callsign search code. Embedded maps allow you to put a real-time aprs.fi map on your own web page.

To track multiple stations, separate them with a comma (','):

he_track = 'CALL1,CALL2';

This now uses the same search routine as the real-time map. If there are tracking targets in different target classes (APRS, AIS, web) having the same name, you might have to add the class prefix:

he_track = 'a/aurora'; // APRS object Aurora, not the AIS ship Aurora

Sharing your position on the map without GPS

The aprs.fi site now supports sharing your current position from the convenience of your web browser by simply pointing at the map, without using a GPS or web browser Geolocation API support.

1. Sign up to the service, if you haven't done so already. Your account's nickname will, by default, be used to mark your position.
2. Log in!
3. Find your current position on the map.
4. Zoom up close for more accurate pointing.
5. Right-click the position and select Upload my position. On a Mac, press ctrl to simulate right mouse button. Left-handed mouse setup will probably use the left button, but if you have one, you know better.
6. If you didn't get the position quite right, simply move the symbol image by dragging and dropping it.
7. When you've moved, right-click and upload the position again.

To change the symbol icon, the web station's name, or the comment text, click on the Favourites (star) tool button in the top right of the screen, and select My stations and bookmarks, and then Settings from the default My web stations item.

I also upgraded the web server software to a new major release. Nice surprise – it didn't require any configuration changes, it just worked. Or so it seems.