APRS.RATS.NET formed in late 2006 from the 3-node VA-APRS network. VA-APRS was founded by Peter Martin/KF4VIZ and Jay Silvio/N9WMU to promote APRS in the Metro Richmond area.

APRS.RATS.NET has evolved into the largest APRS network in the state of Virginia. Our mission is:

1. Build and maintain an efficient disaster-hardened APRS network for the benefit of Amateur Radio Emergency Services.
2. Maintain contacts with neighboring digipeater operators to share "best practices" and coordinate controller programming.
3. Promote education of effecient/effective APRS use.
4. Promote the goodwill of Amateur Radio and maintain liasons with Public Safety and Emergency Management agencies.
5. Support the efforts of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management/Amateur Radio Communications Auxilliary(VDEM/ARCA) through APRS

The coverage map shows the expected mobile coverage area of the W4RAT APRS network.

Volunteers are ALWAYS NEEDED please contact by

W4RAT APRS digipeaters use the nationally accepted 144.39 MHz, 1200bps APRS frequency and data rate.

Before setting up your own APRS transmitter or digipeater, please read these Digipeater Operation & Setup Guidelines.

List of APRS software & equipment for end-users.
Introduction & Welcome Letter

Major support provided by the following individuals & organizations:

• Rob Turner KG4YJB
• Brad Price KI4BWJ
• Jay Silvo N9WMU
  
• Ralph Fetty W4FEG
• Melodie Martin KF4ZGF
• Peter Martin KF4VIZ
• Terry Hebert KI4GLS & the Va. Dept of Emergency Management
• Melissa Ham/Warren Harkin