This article describes a method for integrating Foursquare check-ins with Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) position reports. Using this integration, a licensed Amateur Radio operator can have location check-ins on Foursquare automatically transmitted to the world-wide APRS network. The software and endpoints for this integration are written using Python.
Foursquare is a location-based social network that allows check-ins at venues or locations using a mobile device (ie Phone, Tablet, Web). These check-ins note the coordinates of the associated location or venue.
APRS is a packet-based reporting system used by Amateur Radio operators world-wide. Typically report packets are transmitted over Amateur Radio frequencies (such as 144.39MHz in North America). However, the APRS Internet System (APRS-IS) allows packets to be transmitted and received over the internet, creating a gateway between radio and the internet.
The instructions below walk through Zapier's steps for setting up the Foursquare to APRS integration.
Select your Foursquare account.
Update the credentials for your APRS-IS account.
No filters are needed, so you can skip this step.
Test this integration, if you'd like.
Select Make Zap Live.