APRS/SMS Gateway – Bridging the gap between APRS and SMS

NOTICE

The SMSGTE service us currently offline. New regulations put into place in the US, Canada and other jurisdictions along with some recent abuse of the service to send SPAM have forced me to shut the service down.

Update March 4, 2024: While it may seem as though we have gone radio silent, we have been working hard to bring the service back online. Over the summer, I started the process or establishing the APRS/SMS Gateway Association, a registered non-profit in Ontario. This has allowed us to register with the SMS provider, but the regulations also require each recipient phone number to opt-in to receiving SMS. This makes sense for marketing campaigns and other mass-SMS senders, but in the case of our gateway, it effectively defeats the purpose. If you would like this service restored, contact the ARRL and ask them to lobby on your behalf so that we can develop a sensible set of regulations that will allow the gateway to return to service while also protecting against abuse and protecting what has become a valuable service to the amateur radio community.

This gateway, known as SMSGTE (pronounced sms geit) was launched in 2014 as a means of reaching loved ones when out in areas uncovered by cellular services. Since then, the gateway has grown to serve 6000 users, with over 1000 users added in 2020. It’s a free service that is currently self-sustaining through donations from the users. By today’s standards, this is a small community of users, but I’m quite proud that it provides piece of mind to those who venture into remote areas.

The service continues to evolve. The focus, for now, is to expand into other countries (with help from local groups) and make back-end system changes to improve performance and support the continued growth.

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Finally got APRS set up the way I want in my Jeep. Sometimes I head out alone. Since proof of concept testing of SMSGTE, where I contacted my wife well into the back country above Montezuma, CO and she replied, I feel much safer being out on my own.

Tom C

KE0WTC

APRS/SMS Gateway

2019-10-04T18:52:03+00:00

Tom C

KE0WTC

Finally got APRS set up the way I want in my Jeep. Sometimes I head out alone. Since proof of concept testing of SMSGTE, where I contacted my wife well into the back country above Montezuma, CO and she replied, I feel much safer being out on my own.

https://smsgte.org/testimonials/ke0wtc/

This summer I was camping in a deep Rocky Mountain valley, on the east side of a mountain where a digipeater/repeater site sits facing the city to the west. There is no cell service for a couple miles unless you can climb to a nearby peak. While I could barely hear the repeater in the valley, I could not send with enough power to do more than break the squelch on the repeater. Trying APRS I found I was receiving packets, and if I sent with 25w I could be heard! I didn't have any particular need for it, but I used SMSGTE to chat with my brother for a little bit. It was a comfort knowing that should there be a need I could get communication out of the otherwise completely RF dead valley!

Jon G

KG7KMV

APRS/SMS Gateway

2019-10-04T19:01:05+00:00

Jon G

KG7KMV

This summer I was camping in a deep Rocky Mountain valley, on the east side of a mountain where a digipeater/repeater site sits facing the city to the west. There is no cell service for a couple miles unless you can climb to a nearby peak. While I could barely hear the repeater in the valley, I could not send with enough power to do more than break the squelch on the repeater. Trying APRS I found I was receiving packets, and if I sent with 25w I could be heard! I didn't have any particular need for it, but I used SMSGTE to chat with my brother for a little bit. It was a comfort knowing that should there be a need I could get communication out of the otherwise completely RF dead valley!

https://smsgte.org/testimonials/kg7kmv/

SMSGTE gives me the peace of mind being able to travel within my local region and still be able to communicate with the outside world when cell phone signal goes down. The natural response communications are so simple, even your grandmother could respond!

Angela M

KC1DAB

APRS/SMS Gateway

2019-10-04T19:07:24+00:00

Angela M

KC1DAB

SMSGTE gives me the peace of mind being able to travel within my local region and still be able to communicate with the outside world when cell phone signal goes down. The natural response communications are so simple, even your grandmother could respond!

https://smsgte.org/testimonials/kc1dab/

Communications on the Rubicon Trail for El Dorado County personnel is of upmost importance. The SMSGTE system, utilizing APRS brings us an added level of redundancy to not only track our personnel via Beaconing but also send and receive real time text massages. A truly great system for added safety and piece of mind.

Thank You

Vickie Sanders
County of El Dorado, Parks Manager

APRS/SMS Gateway

2019-10-04T18:47:06+00:00

Vickie Sanders
County of El Dorado, Parks Manager

Communications on the Rubicon Trail for El Dorado County personnel is of upmost importance. The SMSGTE system, utilizing APRS brings us an added level of redundancy to not only track our personnel via Beaconing but also send and receive real time text massages. A truly great system for added safety and piece of mind. Thank You

https://smsgte.org/testimonials/county-of-el-dorado/

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APRS/SMS Gateway