Dual messaging modes

Radio Messenger sends messages two ways: APRS Messaging and Enhanced Messaging. The app picks the mode from the frequency your radio is tuned to. You don’t switch a setting.

How the mode is chosen

• On frequency identified for APRS use, the app uses APRS Messaging.
• On any other frequency, the app uses Enhanced Messaging.

The conversation shows which mode is active, so you always know how a message will be sent. Once a message is in a conversation, long press to bring up the message details information that will show the message type.

APRS Messaging

APRS Messaging works with the wider APRS network that’s already present in a lot of areas.

• Shorter messages.
• Delivery confirmations and automatic retries.
• Can reach you over the internet when your radio isn’t available, through Internet Assisted.
• Includes access to many APRS services & bots and ANSRVR groups.

Enhanced Messaging

Enhanced Messaging is a modern, radio-to-radio mode for chatting with another Radio Messenger operator.

• Longer messages and full Unicode, including emoji and accents.
• Verified sender identity, reactions, and read receipts.
• Files & photos transfer.

Enhanced Messaging stays on the air. It needs both stations on the same frequency, each with the app running and a radio on. There’s no internet fallback.

Choosing where to operate

• To reach the broadest audience, use an APRS frequency.
• To chat with a friend who also has Radio Messenger, agree on a non-APRS frequency and use Enhanced Messaging.