Status Packets

In the APRS network, a status packet serves a specific, functional purpose. It is not meant to be an advertising banner or a static message. Its goal is to inform other stations about the current state, activity, or configuration of your device in real-time.

Our firmware uses status packets to announce key events, which can be helpful for remote diagnostics or simply understanding what the tracker is doing.

Available Status Messages

Below is a list of the status packets that your tracker can automatically transmit, along with their meanings.

  1. Tracker started (with additional information)
    • When it’s sent: Transmitted shortly after the device boots up.
    • Meaning: This is an announcement that the tracker is online and operational. The message includes additional information about the current configuration, which is very useful for other users in the area.

    Understanding the status suffix:

    The tracker appends configuration details after “Tracker started” to inform others about its operating mode:

    Geofence Mode (AUTO):

    • Tracker started AUTO NOFIX - Geofence is enabled, but GPS hasn’t determined the region yet
    • Tracker started AUTO PL - Geofence detected Poland region (uses 434.855 MHz)
    • Tracker started AUTO EU - Geofence detected Europe region (uses 433.775 MHz)
    • Tracker started AUTO UK - Geofence detected UK region (uses 439.9125 MHz)

    Manual Mode:

    When geofence is disabled, the status shows which frequency presets are enabled for transmission (TX):

    • PL - Polish preset (434.855 MHz, 1200 bps)
    • EU - European preset (433.775 MHz, 300 bps)
    • UK - UK preset (439.9125 MHz, 1200 bps)

    Multiple presets can be active simultaneously, e.g., Tracker started PL EU

    If you’ve configured a custom TX frequency/speed that doesn’t match any preset, it will be shown explicitly:

    • Tracker started 432.500MHz 300bps - Custom TX frequency and speed

    Receive (RX) Configuration:

    If your receiver (RX) uses different settings than the transmitter (TX), the status will additionally show RX followed by the receive frequency and speed:

    • Tracker started PL RX 433.775MHz 300bps - Transmitting on PL preset, but listening on EU frequency
    • Tracker started 434.855MHz 1200bps RX 433.775MHz 300bps - Custom TX and different RX settings

    This is particularly useful when you want to transmit on one frequency but monitor traffic on another.

  2. Remote update / Remote update (query)
    • When it’s sent: At the beginning of a remote firmware update process initiated via the web interface.
    • Meaning: Informs the network that the device is attempting to download and install a new firmware version from the internet.
  3. Remote update failed
    • When it’s sent: If the remote OTA update process fails for any reason (e.g., download error, invalid file).
    • Meaning: Indicates that the firmware update was not successful.
  4. Local update started
    • When it’s sent: When you start a manual update by uploading a .bin file through the web interface.
    • Meaning: The device has begun the process of a local firmware update.
  5. Local update finished
    • When it’s sent: After a local firmware update has been successfully completed and the device is about to reboot.
    • Meaning: Confirms that the manual update was successful.
  6. User reboot
    • When it’s sent: When the “Device Reboot” button is clicked in the web interface.
    • Meaning: A simple notification that the device was intentionally rebooted by the user.
  7. Low battery - sleeping
    • When it’s sent: Only on devices that do not have an AXP power management chip. It’s transmitted just before the device enters deep sleep due to low voltage.
    • Meaning: This status serves as a “last gasp” message, informing the network that the device is shutting down temporarily to protect its battery until the voltage recovers (e.g., through solar charging).
  8. Turned off
    • When it’s sent: Transmitted when the device is being turned off by the user. This applies only to devices without an AXP chip (i.e., other than T-Beams). See Button Functions for more information.
    • Meaning: A notification that the device has been intentionally powered down by the user.