Yes, it essentially functions as a command. Certain handheld radios can use DTMF to make individual calls and group calls to other radios. Additionally, there's an APRS implementation called APRS-TT that allows you to predefine certain coordinates. Once you reach those locations, you can use DTMF to send the coordinate information. When the APRS gateway receives the DTMF, it can decode it into the predefined location coordinates.