[aprssig] APRS demo

[Herb Gerhardt]

Jeff,

There are two methods of doing email on APRS.  The first is the normal EMAIL
instead of the call in the APRS message window.  That allows you to send
email messages into the internet but replies, I believe are restricted only
to registered users of an APRS program.  Non-hams can not send you a reply
via the APRS messaging system since it goes out over RF without a control
operator and would violate the FCC requirements.

The other way is to use the APRSLink system.  That allows you to send a
message to any email address and also allows that person to reply to your
email.  Non-hams can also send messages to hams, since the message goes into
your mailbox and does not go our on RF until you command it to do so.  Since
you have to command it to send the message out on RF, you are the control
operator which meets the FCC requirements.

The beauty of this APRSLink system is that if you put WLNK-1 in your status
text, the APRSLink system will actually send you an APRS message informing
you that you have a message in your WinLink mailbox.  You can learn about
APRSLink at		http://www.winlink.org/aprslink

The APRSLink system is the one I now use to send and receive email messages
from my APRS radios.  It works very well for me in all of the areas I have
tried it in.

I am not aware of any special settings in an I-Gate to allow more hops to
get to your location.  I run an I-Gate and have not made any special
settings.  It is my understanding that an I-Gate will send the message out
via the specified path by the originator.  Not sure what path setting
APRSLink uses.  There are some of the fancy computer controlled I-Gates and
digi's where the owner can program it to do whatever he pleases but I don't
run one of those.  The other thing you need to be aware of is that an I-Gate
is normally not to be set up to digi all stations heard on the internet to
local RF.  It will only send out messages it hears on the internet to
stations on RF after it has heard that particular station within RF range of
the I-Gate.

Hopefully that will help you a bit.

Herb, KB7UVC
NW APRS Group, West Sound Coordinator
Our WEB Site:  http://www.nwaprs.info

-----Original Message-----
From: aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org
[mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org]On Behalf Of Jeff N0JUH
Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2008 1:45 PM
To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS demo


Hi Herb-

The promise of messaging from remote areas is what got me started in
APRS.  I've found lots of ways to have fun with APRS, but I've been
pretty disappointed in that original hope of wilderness messaging (where
  "wilderness" can even mean an interstate outside of an urban area.)

When I've tried messaging/email from remote locations via I-Gates, I can
often get a message out, but can't receive replies because the I-Gates
restrict the number of hops on a reply.

I've asked about this before, and the answer has been, "contact the
I-Gate op and have him tweak his settings for your call and location."
That can certainly work, *if* I know in advance what I-Gates I will be
able to reach and can actually contact the operator :)

How are the I-Gates configured for messaging in NWAPRS land?  (didn't
see it offhand on the website.)  Are the settings something that can be
generalized for other places - or will they only work with your region's
particular set of mountaintops and high-octane coffee? :)

The I-Gate ops that I have talked to have been more than happy to adjust
  settings to meet my needs.  But they are generally not knowledgeable
about what settings *should* be.  If we had some standards listed on the
"settings cheat sheets" posted by nwaprs, kcaprs and others, maybe we
would have more reliable messaging coverage.

Thanks!

   --Jeff, N0JUH