diff --git a/aprsd/packets/core.py b/aprsd/packets/core.py
index 812f6b8..1665e29 100644
--- a/aprsd/packets/core.py
+++ b/aprsd/packets/core.py
@@ -109,6 +109,14 @@ class Packet:
     path: List[str] = field(default_factory=list, compare=False, hash=False)
     via: Optional[str] = field(default=None, compare=False, hash=False)
 
+    @property
+    def json(self):
+        """get the json formated string.
+
+        This is used soley by the rpc server to return json over the wire.
+        """
+        return self.to_json()
+
     def get(self, key: str, default: Optional[str] = None):
         """Emulate a getter on a dict."""
         if hasattr(self, key):