[aprssig] most packets are transmitted blind (was: Please, standardize UTF-8)

[Tom Hayward]

On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 8:36 AM, Bill V WA7NWP <wa7nwp at gmail.com> wrote:
> There's whole new product lines of high power (8 to 35 watt) trackers
> that have no receivers...    They don't even try to use time slotting
> to minimize the number of packets they collide with or overpower.  So
> much for good Amateur Radio operating practices...

I'm surprised by the ratio of "rebuttal" responses you have received
on this topic. Transmit-only tracker *do* cause interference, and
*are* against amateur radio operating best practices. When I was first
licensed, I remember being taught to always listen before transmitting
to avoid interfering with another amateur using the frequency. This is
especially important when using high power (i.e., anything above
500mw).

In the past few years I have seen the functionality of APRS decrease
in my area. Tracking with an HT just doesn't work anymore, even if the
digi can be received and decoded fine. I would attribute this partly
to congestion, and party to unmanaged congestion (no-receive trackers
overpowering my packets).

I don't believe these high-power transmitter-only trackers are
benefiting the APRS community. Any company selling 8-35w
transmitter-only trackers should be chastised by the amateur radio
community. These companies are not adding to the value of APRS.

Tom KD7LXL