Amateur Radio operators use a system called APRS to track their location. Some handheld and mobile radios come with APRS, or ham operators can use a computer or smartphone top update and share their location with other operators.
Essex APRS Map:
Here’s a real-time map of amateur radio activity in Essex now:
iPhone APRS Application
Don’t want to splash out on expensive APRS equipment? If you have a smartphone, you can use this to report your position to an APRS server. It’s very easy to set up, and quite impressive.
There are a few iPhone APRS applications out there – my personal favourite is Ham Tracker – (iTunes Link)
Handy links
Want to see a good example of APRS in action? Check out the Truckcam.tv site to see live video feeds from some Essex Hams
A Useful app for android users can be found at http://aprsdroid.org/. An excellent piece of APRS software, free from the authors site or a paid version from the android market to support the author and enable automatic updates.. Andy M0KVR
I have an iPhone 4 and found you can login to the aprs.fi website via the safari broswer and send your location without an app. You have to give permission in the settings for safari to send your location and set the auto key lock to never as when the phone locks it stops sending your position. Joel G0URK
great to see the real time aprs map pete