[aprssig] Beta-quality APRS device statistics

[Robert Bruninga]

I think I have to disagree with your conclusions... 

> the top 10 originators of APRS packets... are HARDWARE 
> devices (trackers, Kenwood radios, etc), rather than 
> computer programs, with the exception of UIview and 
> "Open Source" (which I presume means Xastir)..  
> 
> hardware... probably overwhelmingly transmit-only.

Quite false.  Look at the numbers.  Two-way APRS radios dominate
the hardware applications by far.

> (In my experience, even the potentially two-way hardware 
> devices like Kenwood radios, are used mainly as self-
> contained plug-and-play transmit-only trackers.

I disagree.  The value of APRS to the operator is what he can
receive and see on his front panel, not what he transmitts
blindly to a world who could care less.

> Interactive messaging on these devices is just 
> too clunky and distracting to use in a mobile 
> environment.)

I disagree completely if the radio is propelry set up.  Most
people I run into have never set up their radios properly so
that the APRS hot buttons are always active.  If they keep the
APRS functionality burried down 3 layers in the menus, of course
it is clunky.  But the most important setting is
RADIO-DISPLAY-KEYFUNCTION 3, then every APRS function is on the
front panel always and is only one hot key away.

> In other words, like it or not, APRS *has* become 
> primarily an AVL system. 

Which is a dead end.  And offers little value to the owner or
operator or traveler.  This is why we MUST get everyone
motivated to follow the New-N Paradigm and LOCAL INFO
Initiatives so that APRS actually provides a userful service to
the mobile operator/owner of the radio, not the couch-potato
playing voyer on the internet.

To get APRS on track, we need EFFORT by everyone:
1) To make sure their local digi is serving this info (3
objects).
2) To help the local digi sysop get it right format
3) To ask WHY it is not on digis while they are traveling in
other areas
4) To point every DIGI sysop to www.aprs.org/localinfo.html
5) to ELIMINATE the EGO objects generated by home stations that
SPAM far beyond their local area and load the channel with
unwanted QRM.

> One class of stations that would seem to "fall through 
> the cracks" in this analysis is Kenwood radios connected 
> to mapping GPSes like the AVmap, or Tracker 2s connected 
> to Garmin Nuvis that would appear to be only trackers, 
> but ARE capable of full mapping displays or even 
> interactive messaging.

And the locations of these LOCALINFO objects such as the
travelers voice repeater and echolink nodes WILL SHOW up on
these maps too!  Its right there on the screen.

Travelers can see ALL OF THIS LOCALINFO in range of a proper
DIGI:

- Locally recommended travelers Voice repeater Freq
- Local weekly Net times and Freqs
- Local monthly Club meeting dates
- Local wide area open Echolink or IRLP node, freq and number
- Local Digipeater and coverage rnage
- Local Igate
- Not to mention all the other APRS info, WX and bulletins 
- Special announcements and bulletins for activities.

P.S. and the worst thing is ONE-WAY Igates!  These completely
undermine the integrity of the APRS network.  We MUST get that
fixed too.

Bob, Wb4APR