[aprssig] BEACON - APRS or Not?

[Keith VE7GDH]

Lynn KJ4ERJ wrote...

> (No, I haven't check out the W4LAW-* stations yet)

I had a quick peek. W4LAW-3 is a Tennessee digi beaconing with a path of 
TRACE,WIDE,WIDE and claiming to respond to WIDE, RELAY, TRACE and TN. 
Hopefully there are no other digis within earshot of this digi that are 
also using obsolete settings.

http://aprs.fi/?call=W4LAW-3
http://aprs.fi/?c=raw&call=W4LAW-3

W4LAW-5 is a digi in Georgia.  As near as I can tell, it doesn't seem to 
advertise what it supports.

http://aprs.fi/?call=W4LAW-5
http://aprs.fi/?c=raw&call=W4LAW-5
2009-08-10 13:44:27 UTC: W4LAW-5>APRS,qAS,WA4YYM
:!3444.30NR08501.00W#PHG5630/A=001575/Local Dalton Relay

Then there is W4LAW-6, also in Georgia. It is using the obsolete WIDE.
http://aprs.fi/?call=W4LAW-6
http://aprs.fi/?c=raw&call=W4LAW-6

I could comment on the use of obsolete settings, but I would be 
preaching to the choir. Huge advances in the efficiency of APRS were 
made over the last few years. I have no idea if the people using 
obsolete settings just don't care, or if the don't understand the 
advantages of the "new" settings, or if they live under a rock. If there 
is someone in that area that could contact the operator, they could 
diplomatically point them in the right direction.

Of course, this isn't what Shawn KG4OVQ was asking about.

73 es cul - Keith VE7GDH
--
"I may be lost, but I know exactly where I am!"