Thank you for posting this. I tried sending a text from my FT3DR to my unlocked iPhone on Verizon. Wouldn’t go thru but when I sent to my T-Mobile line in the iPhone, it went through. However for the life of me, the reply back from the iPhone on either line, is not going through. No matter if I simply hit reply on my phone or create a new text to the number we’re not supposed to divulge. Is there a setting I have messed up somewhere?
The only thing that comes to mind is maybe your phone service sees the number as spam, and it blocks it. Verizon has a spam blocker on their network. Maybe try adding the secret number as a contact in your phone. As far as the radio not receiving the response from the phone, the problem could be location. APRS isn’t 100% reliable because you must be in range of a digipeater or I-gate, and there are areas where they are few and far between. 73, de N4HNH
Great video! Thank you for the tutorial. When responding to a message on my radio if there at way to reply to the thread or am is every reply a new message on my radio?
This is really interesting and makes me consider purchasing a higher end radio. I am making the assumption (and could be wrong) that there would be a situation where my cell phone had zero signal and was unable send or receive sms text messages but the radio COULD. In other words, is the radio a more reliable and more powerful antenna and receiver than a cell phone? That is the main question I have.
I hike mountain summits for SOTA. It’s hit or miss whether a cell phone will have a signal on a mountain top. The cell towers are typically lower in elevation and their antennas are typically oriented in such a way that the signal is localized, beam-forming more toward the horizon. APRS is no guarantee either. It relies on a digipeater or an iGate being within range. However, any licensed amateur operator can set up a digipeater, using their 2m base station antenna, and quite a number do just that. But, even if there aren’t many digipeaters in proximity to my location, I have been able to reach a digipeater 50 miles away from a mountain top, using my FT3DR. So texting via APRS can be more reliable at times than with a cellphone. The cellphone is operating at an extremely high frequency, using only a few hundred milliwatts. The FT3DR is operating in the VHF spectrum at up to 5 watts. The antenna of a digipeater will most likely have a higher angle of radiation than a cell tower antenna, allowing for a better chance for it to receive my signal from a mountain summit. 73, de N4HNH
Thank you for this! I've been doing this from an off-grid stationary mobile Yaesu FTM-400 to send text messages to my wife and kids. The messages go through but even though they respond to them, I don't get their responses. They're doing it correctly - any idea why I might not be receiving responses? Thanks again... 73!
Mobile I could understand, but stationary should work both ways. You have to be in range of a digipeater or an iGate. Sometimes in North Georgia, even though I’m on a mountain, I might be in an area without a digipeater. My signal has sometimes made it to the iGate 60 miles away, but not until I reached the summit of the mountain. As more and more hams install digipeaters at their homes, this should become more reliable. 73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I have no problem sending from the radio, as I'm in range of a digipeater, but you're saying that the people responding from their cell phones also need to be in range of a digipeater or iGate? I was able to get responses one weekend, but none the second weekend. Are there any settings in APRS I need to make sure are "on" in order to insure receipt of messages? Thanks again!
Those sending to you don’t need to be in range of a digipeater. I’m just saying that there can be inconsistent reception both ways, due to range from a digipeater, terrain, band conditions, etc. 73, de N4HNH
You’re very welcome. My experience has been that APRS is somewhat inconsistent, unless you’re in an area with a dense population such that there are enough digipeaters and/or iGates. It sort of defeats the purpose for now. I need it in the mountains where I hike. But as I approach the summit, I’m high enough in elevation to start getting a connection via a distant digipeater or iGate. 73, de N4HNH
Hey Red! It is cool, huh? Sometimes we’re higher up then the cell tower, so it can come in handy to be able to send a text from the HT. But I mainly got the FT3DR so I could post a spot when I have no cellular coverage. It’s great to hear from you. 73, Doug
Thank you for sharing this! I just got an ft3dr and ive been trying to learn about it, and this was super useful. It makes me wonder, what would happen it an SMS was sent to me while my APRS or the radio is off? Do they pile up and come in all at once when I turn it on? Or they are lost? Also, these messages are public right? So be careful with what is sent, and give the other person a heads up on that? Thanks in advance!!
My understanding is that the APRS system will try to resend a message when it sees a beacon from your radio, indicating that you are online. For how long, I’m not sure. Maybe 24 hours? Of course anything sent via the Internet and RF signals can possibly be read. But, since the main uses of APRS for a SOTA activator are spotting and emergency communications, that is probably a good thing. You are limited to 64 characters, so keep the messages pithy. 73, de N4HNH
Thank you for posting this. I tried sending a text from my FT3DR to my unlocked iPhone on Verizon. Wouldn’t go thru but when I sent to my T-Mobile line in the iPhone, it went through. However for the life of me, the reply back from the iPhone on either line, is not going through. No matter if I simply hit reply on my phone or create a new text to the number we’re not supposed to divulge. Is there a setting I have messed up somewhere?
The only thing that comes to mind is maybe your phone service sees the number as spam, and it blocks it. Verizon has a spam blocker on their network. Maybe try adding the secret number as a contact in your phone. As far as the radio not receiving the response from the phone, the problem could be location. APRS isn’t 100% reliable because you must be in range of a digipeater or I-gate, and there are areas where they are few and far between. 73, de N4HNH
Great video! Thank you for the tutorial. When responding to a message on my radio if there at way to reply to the thread or am is every reply a new message on my radio?
It is person-to-person messaging.
This is really interesting and makes me consider purchasing a higher end radio. I am making the assumption (and could be wrong) that there would be a situation where my cell phone had zero signal and was unable send or receive sms text messages but the radio COULD. In other words, is the radio a more reliable and more powerful antenna and receiver than a cell phone? That is the main question I have.
I hike mountain summits for SOTA. It’s hit or miss whether a cell phone will have a signal on a mountain top. The cell towers are typically lower in elevation and their antennas are typically oriented in such a way that the signal is localized, beam-forming more toward the horizon.
APRS is no guarantee either. It relies on a digipeater or an iGate being within range. However, any licensed amateur operator can set up a digipeater, using their 2m base station antenna, and quite a number do just that.
But, even if there aren’t many digipeaters in proximity to my location, I have been able to reach a digipeater 50 miles away from a mountain top, using my FT3DR. So texting via APRS can be more reliable at times than with a cellphone. The cellphone is operating at an extremely high frequency, using only a few hundred milliwatts. The FT3DR is operating in the VHF spectrum at up to 5 watts. The antenna of a digipeater will most likely have a higher angle of radiation than a cell tower antenna, allowing for a better chance for it to receive my signal from a mountain summit.
73, de N4HNH
N4HNH Radio : Thank you! That was very informative and helpful.
You will want a garmin inreach mini satellite text messager
Thank you for this! I've been doing this from an off-grid stationary mobile Yaesu FTM-400 to send text messages to my wife and kids. The messages go through but even though they respond to them, I don't get their responses. They're doing it correctly - any idea why I might not be receiving responses? Thanks again... 73!
Mobile I could understand, but stationary should work both ways.
You have to be in range of a digipeater or an iGate. Sometimes in North Georgia, even though I’m on a mountain, I might be in an area without a digipeater. My signal has sometimes made it to the iGate 60 miles away, but not until I reached the summit of the mountain.
As more and more hams install digipeaters at their homes, this should become more reliable.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I have no problem sending from the radio, as I'm in range of a digipeater, but you're saying that the people responding from their cell phones also need to be in range of a digipeater or iGate? I was able to get responses one weekend, but none the second weekend. Are there any settings in APRS I need to make sure are "on" in order to insure receipt of messages? Thanks again!
Those sending to you don’t need to be in range of a digipeater. I’m just saying that there can be inconsistent reception both ways, due to range from a digipeater, terrain, band conditions, etc.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Got it. Thank you!
You’re very welcome. My experience has been that APRS is somewhat inconsistent, unless you’re in an area with a dense population such that there are enough digipeaters and/or iGates. It sort of defeats the purpose for now. I need it in the mountains where I hike. But as I approach the summit, I’m high enough in elevation to start getting a connection via a distant digipeater or iGate.
73, de N4HNH
Now that's cool Doug!
Hey Red! It is cool, huh? Sometimes we’re higher up then the cell tower, so it can come in handy to be able to send a text from the HT. But I mainly got the FT3DR so I could post a spot when I have no cellular coverage.
It’s great to hear from you.
73, Doug
I have 2 HT’s. FT3DR & FT2DR. How do you configure the call signs on each, for radio to radio texting? Thanks
Long-press the DISP button. Tap Callsign at the lower right of the menu.
Thank you for sharing this! I just got an ft3dr and ive been trying to learn about it, and this was super useful. It makes me wonder, what would happen it an SMS was sent to me while my APRS or the radio is off? Do they pile up and come in all at once when I turn it on? Or they are lost? Also, these messages are public right? So be careful with what is sent, and give the other person a heads up on that? Thanks in advance!!
My understanding is that the APRS system will try to resend a message when it sees a beacon from your radio, indicating that you are online. For how long, I’m not sure. Maybe 24 hours?
Of course anything sent via the Internet and RF signals can possibly be read. But, since the main uses of APRS for a SOTA activator are spotting and emergency communications, that is probably a good thing.
You are limited to 64 characters, so keep the messages pithy.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio thank you so much for getting back to me! 73. KN4YRX
I set up aliases in SMSGTE. That way the phone #s don't show up!
Nice job, pretty cool feature
How do you find the Digital Repeaters in my area?
I use the RepeaterBook app from the Apple Store. You can filter by band and distance.
73, de N4HNH