[aprssig] Universal APRS messaging Opportunities!

[Robert Bruninga]

> Subject: Re: [aprssig] Universal APRS messaging Opportunities!
> 
> I hate to be a wet blanket here, but 
> kids using APRS for texting is not going 
> to happen and you wouldn't like it if it did.

I think I agree completely.  My point is that the old fuds in
ham radio need to learn from the kids the value of text
messaging for immediate contact.  We are spread out over 3000
frequencies and can only find each other by pre-arranged
schedules or freqs.  But most of this falls apart in a disaster.
The Universal Text messaging should work independent of where we
are and on what freq (since it all uses the national APRS as the
connectivity)...  And re-constituting APRS in an affected area
should be a high priority.

>> This univsersal HAM Radio Text Messaging 
>> is what the ARRL special committee on the 
>> future of Amateur Radio requested.  Text 
>> messaging for all ham radio.  (Bring in 
>> the youth) as well as a system for emergency 
>> contact.
>> 
>> www.aprs.org/aprs-messaging.html
>> 
>> There are lots of opportunities here for 
>> lots of programmers and applications to 
>> gateway all of the many text-messaging 
>> systems altogether so that no matter what 
>> the device, you can send and receive 
>> amateur radio text messages by callsign 
>> address alone. (APRS-IS provides the backbone).
>> 
>> Here are all the systems identified so far:
>> 
>> APRS messages - send/receive
>> APRS emails - send
>> EMAIL->APRS - receive 
>> FINDU/OPENaprs messages - send/receive
>> DTMF messaging in the FT-51R and TH-78
>> DCS messaging  in the VX3R, FTM-10R, etc
>> DTMF messaging in all other DTMF radios (APRStt)
>> IPHONE applications
>> Blackberry applications
>> OLPC (APRSXO) application
>> 
>> Im thinking of seeing if I can put a 
>> DTMF/DCS receiver on 146.58 MHz simplex 
>> in this area to listen for the non packet 
>> formats and convert over to APRS.  This 
>> simplex calling frequency appears both 
>> in the standard ARRL band plans as well 
>> as in the 20 KHz band plans in some states.
>>
>> If we cannot agree on that one, then 
>> 146.46, 147.42(ARES), 147.48, or 147.54 
>> could also meet the criteria.
>>  
>> Bob, Wb4APR