[aprssig] APRS geocaching ?

[Lynn W. Deffenbaugh (Mr)]

Phillip, (Same answer I just sent to the APRS Yahoo group w/PS added)

I've considered a geocaching query server, bur the issue I keep running 
into in my mental planning is getting access to the original cache 
data.  Geocaching.com has severe restrictions on what you're allowed to 
do with their GPX and LOC files.  Also, coordinates only down to the 
hundredths of minutes (instead of thousandths) (unless you add the |DAO| 
APRS extension), you're going to have a much broader search area than 
you're used to.

I was thinking of an APRS query service where you ask for the closest N 
geocaches and it would send them back as Item in Message format, but 
then I've learned that not a single known client implements that 
feature, so they'd have to be normal objects.  But normal objects don't 
gate from -IS back to RF without a local IGate operator knowing in advance.

APRS can provide the starting piece of the puzzle, getting your 
coordinates to a query server, but getting the caches, and getting the 
coordinates back to you in a digitally usable form with high enough 
accuracy are the two issues I haven't overcome yet.

Instead, I'm hoping to add GPX/LOC support directly in my APRSISCE 
client for Windows Mobile.  You drop your own GPX/LOC onto your phone 
and the local client will put them on the screen as clickable objects 
for your personal use.  You get the GPX/LOC using your own 
geocaching.com logon and put it on your own device for use, no license 
issues there.

I'll entertain any other ideas if you've got them.  I've got the 
development capability on this end as well as access to APRS-IS.

Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile

PS.  The geocaching.com Waypoint License Agreement is at 
http://www.geocaching.com/waypoints/agreement.aspx and states (in part)

"Licensee shall not sell, rent, lease, sublicense, lend, assign, 
time-share, or transfer, in whole or in part, or provide access to the 
Data, Related Materials, any updates, or Licensee's rights under this 
Agreement to any third party whatsoever."

Phillip wrote:
>  
> Has anyone given this any thought,  we here in NZ are looking at ways 
> to use APRS for other things than track
>  this track that beacon this and that see where jo blow went etc ..  ..
>  
> How about an addon for Geocaching for Ui-View 32 or AGWPE etc ..
>  
> Lets put some fun back into APRS on a local and country wide ..
>  
> I can't write software other wise I would give it ago it only needs to 
> be a simple program etc there is so much info on the net
> about geocaching I would have thought that this combined with APRS 
> would be a flier  
>  
>  
> 73 Phillip
> ZL2TZE 
>
> 	
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