What is #APRSThursday?

#APRSThursday is a weekly on-air APRS messaging net held every Thursday from 0000 UTC to 2359 UTC (all day Thursday). It's a community event that encourages APRS operators worldwide to check in, exchange messages, and demonstrate the capabilities of the APRS messaging system.

The HOTG Group

The net uses the group name HOTG — which stands for Hams On The Go. When you check in, you're joining a global conversation with operators from dozens of countries.

How to Check In

There are two ways to participate:

Via ANSRVR:

To: ANSRVR
Message: CQ HOTG <your message>

Via APRSPH:

To: APRSPH
Message: HOTG <your message>

Your check-in message typically includes a brief greeting, your location, or what you're doing. For example:

CQ HOTG Hello from North Carolina! Mobile on I-40.

What Happens When You Check In

Your message is relayed to all other HOTG subscribers
Your participation is logged and visible on this dashboard's #APRSThursday page
You'll receive messages from other participants throughout the day

Global Participation

APRSThursday attracts operators from around the world. On a typical Thursday you might see check-ins from:

Mobile stations driving to work
Portable operators at parks or summits
Home stations testing new equipment
International operators bridging RF and internet

Community Aspect

Beyond the technical exercise, #APRSThursday serves as a community gathering point. It's a way to:

Test your APRS setup and confirm it's working
Discover other active operators in your area
Learn about APRS capabilities you haven't explored
Connect with the global ham radio community without voice

Tracking on This Dashboard

The #APRSThursday page on this dashboard shows:

Real-time check-ins as they happen
Total unique participants for the current week
Historical data and trends week over week
A leaderboard of the most active participants

Check the #APRSThursday page every Thursday to see the net in action!

#APRSThursday