[aprssig] UHF APRS channel

[Robert Bruninga]

Time for a national UHF APRS data channel.
(while keeping one also for voice coordination).

Background:  
Oroginally, I chose 445.925 as the lowest simplex voice
frequency at UHF in
the ARRL band plan.  I justified this by calling it an APRS
Voice PTT mode channel for operator-to-operator voice
coordination (and PTT APRS bursts).

Now that we have two 445.925 VOICE input => to 144.39 CTCSS 100
crossband wide-area Voice Alert repeaters that allow that
frequency to be used as an ALL-CALL Voice Alert (to users on
144.39 CTCSS-100), we tend to think of that frequency more along
the lines of the Voice side of things than data side.

Its time to hammer out a pure UHF APRS packet channel if we can
all work together to find one that fits ALL bandplans. 

I'll let the Pacific Northwest APRS group take the lead on
coordinating this search.  We should strive for a NATIONAL
channel...  With primary objective of 9600 baud.. Though, at
this point, I do not object to 1200 baud dual use in sparse
areas until we get enough use to warrant new rules.

When we find one, and start writing letters to coordinating
bodies, we will also ask for the listing of the 445.925 APRS
voice (where available) and 50.62 APRS channels as well to be
listed.

APRS is not going away.  Now with Yaesu joining Kenwood with
APRS radios, lets make room for growth on these 3 bands.  So you
can operate VOICE (on any band which is the main purpose of HAM
radio) without intereference by choosing one of the other bands
for your simultaneous data.

IM tired of missing sylables on 2m while tring to QSO while APRS
is also running...

Bob, WB4APR