[aprssig] APRStt lives! (APRSspeak)

[Robert Bruninga]

APRStt (touch tone)
Which lets anyone with any HT participate in APRS, not just
those with APRS radios was working at Dayton 2010.  Both a
software version (WA2UPW) and a hardware version (Byonics) were
presented.  This email describes the software version:

Doug KA2UPW wrote APRSspeak that listens for DTMF users on
146.58 and responds to them with APRS info by voice.  It is
Wondows software that uses its sound card for DTMF reception and
Voice response.  On the other side of the gateway, it
communicates with APRSdom via a TNC on the national APRS
channel.

When a DTMF user sends his DTMF callsign (from his DTMF memory)
he is acknowledged by APRSspeak by voice and his position is
sent out on APRS in the vicinity of the APRSspeak node that
heard him (and globally via the APRS-IS).  The DTMF user can
further refine his position by sending a separate DTMF position
report if finer resolution position is needed.

Again, only hearing the callsign is sufficient to place the user
on the map.  But an additional DTMF position report using 5 key
presses (B1XY*) could place him anywhere within about 150 feet
on the 1 digit X/Y grid map handed out.  A 7 key position report
(B2XXYY*) could place them anywhere to the nearest 15 feet if we
had implemented it.

The POWER of APRStt and APRSspeak is that it lets 100% of a club
or all volunteers at a special event communicate inportant
information, not just the 10% that have APRS capability.  Not
just position, but  simple messages and numeric data can be
sent.

Although APRStt (APRSspeak and the Byonics APRStt hardware
module) are not yet ready for prime time, everyone needs to
start thinking of how they can use this capability in their area
for their club and special event activities.  I think this time
it will be a GO! With proper planning, it can be very valuable
in involving all of Amateur Radio.

See www.aprs.org/aprstt.html and
www.aprsspeak.com

Doug says he will use the above site when his software is ready
for distribution.