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xzgroup@lab#:~/site$
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# GASCast APRS BBS - by brrmatteo 1XZ110 - IU6HMO
~ $ --- GASCast - a strange project.. /
GasCast is our lightweight, practical take on an APRS Bulletin Board System (BBS): a small service that lets amateur radio operators exchange short messages and bulletin-style updates using the APRS messaging network.
What makes this project exciting is its simplicity and portability. GasCast is written in Python using only the standard library, so it’s easy to run, easy to audit, and friendly to self host on hobbyist setups.
It connects directly to APRS-IS over TCP, logs in with your callsign, listens for APRS message frames addressed to the BBS callsign, and responds to clear, text-based commands.
An APRS Object Beacon can periodically announce the BBS on APRS maps with a chosen symbol, position, and short status comment—making it easier for others to discover and try. Configuration is straightforward through command-line options and environment variables.
GasCast is still in early development stages and it focuses on the features that matter most for real-world use. It provides private mailboxes so messages can be queued when a recipient is offline and automatically delivered when they “check in” (via a simple login command).
It also supports chat-style groups, allowing operators to create, join, leave, and broadcast for event coordination, field activities, or local community nets. To ensure the service survives restarts, queued messages are persisted in a local SQLite database, striking a nice balance between robustness and minimalism.
In true XZ Group spirit, it’s the kind of project you can run, read, modify, and break while exploring APRS: Any comment or question is welcome, feel free to drop an email to the authors.
What makes this project exciting is its simplicity and portability. GasCast is written in Python using only the standard library, so it’s easy to run, easy to audit, and friendly to self host on hobbyist setups.
It connects directly to APRS-IS over TCP, logs in with your callsign, listens for APRS message frames addressed to the BBS callsign, and responds to clear, text-based commands.
An APRS Object Beacon can periodically announce the BBS on APRS maps with a chosen symbol, position, and short status comment—making it easier for others to discover and try. Configuration is straightforward through command-line options and environment variables.
GasCast is still in early development stages and it focuses on the features that matter most for real-world use. It provides private mailboxes so messages can be queued when a recipient is offline and automatically delivered when they “check in” (via a simple login command).
It also supports chat-style groups, allowing operators to create, join, leave, and broadcast for event coordination, field activities, or local community nets. To ensure the service survives restarts, queued messages are persisted in a local SQLite database, striking a nice balance between robustness and minimalism.
In true XZ Group spirit, it’s the kind of project you can run, read, modify, and break while exploring APRS: Any comment or question is welcome, feel free to drop an email to the authors.