[aprssig] Pagers as part of the Text Messaging Initiative

[Scott Miller]

> Well, here is where I disagree in general.  Because if I receive such a communications, I -will- acknowledge it.  And I think it is -fundamental- to amateur radio and just about any two-way radio service that it is incumbent on recepients of an intended radio communications to acknowledge that communication.  Usually it is taught as "roger, ..." and sometimes re-inforced by the nonsensical hollywood "roger, wilco, over and out"...
> 
> In the military, in amateur radio and even in scouts and in radio 101 wherever you find it, or in the marine band, dispatchers, and emergency services... the general principle is that you acknowledge receipt of information.  This is fundamental to radio, a system where the sender cannot know if his message was received unless the recepient responds.
> 
> Even on FRS radio, the first think I teach kids, is that they must at least "roger" all information they receive.

I think the important distinction here is between purely broadcast 
services, where communication is always one way and from one source 
(e.g., regular broadcast radio) and a general-use communication system 
that uses asymmetric links, like APRS or a paging system.

It's like the difference between a magazine and a bulletin board covered 
in notes.  It's the magazine usage the rules are supposed to prevent, 
one person or group broadcasting material to no one in particular, and 
not the peer-to-peer bulletin board, regardless of the actual mechanics 
of the system.

Scott
N1VG