Abstract

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.

Background

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.

Requirements

  1. A Amateur Radio License.
  2. A Zapier account.
  3. A Foursquare account.

Setup

The instructions below walk through Zapier's steps for setting up the Foursquare to APRS integration.

Step 1: "Pick your Trigger and Action for this Zap"

  1. From Zapier, login, go to your Dashboard, and select Create a New Zap.
  2. For Trigger Service select Foursquare.
  3. For Trigger select New Checkin.
  4. For Action Service select APRS.
  5. For Action select Create Message.

Step 2: "Select a Foursquare Account"

Select your Foursquare account.

Step 3: "Select a APRS Account"

Update the credentials for your APRS-IS account.

  1. Enter any Name for the account.
  2. Enter your Callsign plus a station number (-10 is recommended).
  3. Enter your APRS-IS Passcode. (TK)

Step 4: "Filter your Foursquare checkins"

No filters are needed, so you can skip this step.

Step 5: "Create your APRS Message"

  1. For Message enter Foursquare Checkin at: {{venue__name}}
  2. For Latitude enter {{venue__location__lat}}
  3. For Longitude enter {{venue__location__lng}}

Step 6: "Try out your Zap"

Test this integration, if you'd like.

Step 7: "Enable your Foursquare to APRS Zap"

Select Make Zap Live.

Done!