[aprssig] APRS in Garmin

[Jason Rausch]

> If they did produce such a device, it would be priced like
> the
> low-production volume professional surveying and GIS
> devices -- no ham would buy one. 

I beg to differ with this statement.

First off, the APRS community, worldwide, is looking for a D7 replacement.  In all honestly, the VX-8R is a big letdown in many ways and does not fill the D7's shoes.

Second, the Garmin Rino is already a proven design.  If Garmin took the time to develop the UHF side, I think they could easily devote the time to developing the VHF side.  They already have modem design.  If the modem was done in software, I'm sure that it can do AX.25 packet.  A Rino like device with VHF only or VHF/UHF and 1200/9600 AX.25 support was to come to market, I think it would sell like crazy.

Third, less than a year ago, hams were regularly giving $300 for a D7 with out a GPS or mapping.  A rino with GPS and color mapping would sell, even at a $500 price tag.  I would buy one.  Of course I am taking into account the fact that everything is coming in a single unit.

I can't be the only one that thinks this way :o)

Jason KE4NYV
RPC Electronics
www.rpc-electronics.com


--- On Tue, 6/30/09, Stephen H. Smith <wa8lmf2 at aol.com> wrote:

> From: Stephen H. Smith <wa8lmf2 at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS in Garmin
> To: "TAPR APRS Mailing List" <aprssig at tapr.org>
> Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6:46 PM
> 
> 
> 
>   
>   
> 
>  
> Andrew Rich wrote:
> Why doesnt garmin just make an aprs
> terminal and be done
> with it
>   
> 
>   
> 
>   
> 
> -
> Because APRS is a niche activity of a niche activity
> (Amateur
> Radio).       A minor
> (inexpensive) software tweak to units produced by
> the 10's of thousands is one thing.   
> Creating a dedicated device
> selling in the hundreds (or units of thousands) could never
> be
> justified by a mass mfr like Garmin.   
> 
> 
> 
> If they did produce such a device, it would be priced like
> the
> low-production volume professional surveying and GIS
> devices -- no ham
> would buy one. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
> 
> 
> Stephen H. Smith    wa8lmf (at) aol.com 
> 
> EchoLink Node:      WA8LMF 
> or 14400    [Think bottom of the 2M band]
> 
> Skype:        WA8LMF
> 
> Home
> Page:         
> http://wa8lmf.net
> 
> 
> 
> JavAPRS Filter Port 14580 Guide 
> 
>   http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/JAVaprsFilters.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "APRS 101"  Explanation of APRS Path
> Selection & Digipeating 
> 
>   http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Updated "Rev H"
> APRS           
> http://wa8lmf.net/aprs
> 
> Symbols Set for UI-View, 
> 
> UIpoint and APRSplus:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
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> 
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