Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Net Central is a custom built APRS net control application designed specifically for amateur radio EmComm and ARES operations, giving net control operators a real time dashboard to run an entire net from a single laptop. Built as an offline first tool, Net Central handles check in and check out tracking, force checkout, and participation time logging so net control stations no longer need to rely on paper logs or spreadsheets during active nets.
The application includes direct messaging to callsigns with audible Web Audio API alerts for new messages and status changes, so nothing gets missed during a busy net. A MapLibre GL JS powered live map displays station positions in real time, with an optional NEXRAD weather radar overlay refreshing every five minutes, giving net control operators immediate situational awareness during severe weather nets.
Net Central automates position beaconing with a standardized comment format, includes server side autosaved scratch notes for net control operators that clear automatically when the net closes, and generates a full close net report covering message delivery stats including acknowledged, rejected, and no response counts, along with participation metrics like average participant time, force checkout count, objects created, manually added stations, and transceiver type breakdowns.
Additional features include canned replies and monitored groups for fast batch setup, a battery monitoring dashboard indicator, idle auto shutdown after 15 minutes of net inactivity to conserve system resources, and direct hardware integration with the Kenwood TH-D75 over KISS serial via Bluetooth SPP.
This video walks through how Net Central works in a real net environment, covering the check in workflow, live map tracking, messaging alerts, and the close net reporting process, built for amateur radio operators who want a modern, automated approach to running APRS based nets for EmComm, ARES, and general amateur radio net control operations.
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Net Central is a custom built APRS net control application designed specifically for amateur radio EmComm and ARES operations, giving net control operators a real time dashboard to run an entire net from a single laptop. Built as an offline first tool, Net Central handles check in and check out tracking, force checkout, and participation time logging so net control stations no longer need to rely on paper logs or spreadsheets during active nets.
The application includes direct messaging to callsigns with audible Web Audio API alerts for new messages and status changes, so nothing gets missed during a busy net. A MapLibre GL JS powered live map displays station positions in real time, with an optional NEXRAD weather radar overlay refreshing every five minutes, giving net control operators immediate situational awareness during severe weather nets.
Net Central automates position beaconing with a standardized comment format, includes server side autosaved scratch notes for net control operators that clear automatically when the net closes, and generates a full close net report covering message delivery stats including acknowledged, rejected, and no response counts, along with participation metrics like average participant time, force checkout count, objects created, manually added stations, and transceiver type breakdowns.
Additional features include canned replies and monitored groups for fast batch setup, a battery monitoring dashboard indicator, idle auto shutdown after 15 minutes of net inactivity to conserve system resources, and direct hardware integration with the Kenwood TH-D75 over KISS serial via Bluetooth SPP.
This video walks through how Net Central works in a real net environment, covering the check in workflow, live map tracking, messaging alerts, and the close net reporting process, built for amateur radio operators who want a modern, automated approach to running APRS based nets for EmComm, ARES, and general amateur radio net control operations.
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
