[aprssig] When to run a RELAY (and mobile ERP)

[Robert Bruninga]

>Wouldn't it be nicer if source routing was eliminated completely?

Yes, Exactly,  There is no such thing in APRS anyway.

APRS is a local real-time tactical network of locals involved
in an activity where all are updated in real-time to what is going
on with position, objects, messages and announcements and
bulletins.  The only function of digipeaters is to provide additional
omni directional connectivity if needed.

In that sense digipeaters are not "routes", but are  just radial hops 
outward to reach the ALOHA limit of the net.  And these days in 
most areas, that should be limited to one hop or at most 2 in 
most populated areas.

The only exception is messages which are the only point-to-point
packet in APRS.  The APRS-IS provides the connectivity to 
anyone beyond the LAN area and in keeping with the intent of 
APRS, it too has no routing just as Pete has noted:

>BTW, ... source routing was never implemented on APRS-IS ;-).

The problem is that some APRS client software really gives the
end user no clue as to what the APRS network is about, 
how it works, how it should be used, and further, has no code 
involved in Network Stewardship (protecting the network from 
user abuse or missunderstanding) nor in guiding the user to 
proper considerate operation, nor proper setting of his digipeater
list to reach only his ALOHA limit.

This should be the focus of APRS Education... and Client code.

de WB4APR