The ability to configure a Raspberry Pi as a receive-only Internet Gateway (iGate) involves setting up the device to passively monitor and relay amateur radio Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) signals to the internet, without transmitting any signals itself. The process often includes obtaining specific software designed for APRS decoding and forwarding, and subsequently transferring this software to the Raspberry Pi for execution. This differs from a standard iGate, which both receives and transmits APRS data.
A receive-only APRS implementation provides several advantages. It allows individuals to contribute to the APRS network by extending its coverage in areas where transmit capabilities might be restricted or undesirable. Furthermore, it can be employed as a valuable tool for research and analysis of APRS activity, offering insights into network traffic patterns, signal propagation, and the effectiveness of APRS communication strategies. Historically, the APRS network has relied on a distributed infrastructure of iGates, with receive-only nodes playing a crucial role in data collection and network resilience.
