[aprssig] APRS in daily use

[Julian, G4ILO]

Yes, I use it daily. My uses are not so much "everyday life" uses as
those that have been described, they are everyday ham radio uses but
they still make APRS of great value to me.

Wainwrights On The Air is an activity like Summits On The Air but
restricted to hills in the English Lake District which are called the
Wainwrights. When someone posts a spot on the WOTA website that
someone is activating a summit, an object is generated on the location
of the summit showing the call and frequency in use. A notification
message is also sent out to interested subscribers using KJ4ERJ's
ANSRVR system. When I am out on an activation myself my wife uses the
APRS tracking screen to see where I am which makes her a bit less
nervous about my being out there on my own. (I haven't managed to
persuade her to take the test and get her own call so she could
communicate with me.)

I have written a script that turns VHF propagation alerts from the DX
Sherlock website into APRS messages which are delivered using ANSRVR.

And I have a program that sends out alerts of imminent ISS passes,
again using ANSRVR.

All of this information would be available on a desktop PC, but using
APRS I can receive it anywhere. I have both a VX-8GR and a TH-D72 and
one of them goes with me everywhere so that I am alerted whenever
there is a chance to work some VHF DX or make a WOTA contact.

Julian, G4ILO
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com








On 21 February 2011 07:04, Randy Allen <ka0azs at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Weather.  There are numerous weather stations in the area and I like the
> near real time reporting of temps and wind speeds.  Broadcast media and
> various websites have inherent delays and work on their schedule, not mine.
>
> Of course, during severe weather events the importance of being able to view
> this data goes up (we use it in the local EOC, both because of it's
> timeliness and as a back up to other sources).
>
> Both of our family cars have D700s and run Voice Alert (all of my family is
> licensed).  Handy to know who is where and to say a quick hi during commutes
> and errand running.  Especially since, being the OF Fuddy Duddy that I am, I
> refuse to use my %$*&# yuppie toy when driving.
>
> Messaging is handy as my wife often turns down the voice side of her D700
> and I can get her to come up by pinging her with a quick message.
>
> Aside from the family, several other folks run APRS trackers here and it's
> nice to know when they are active to give them a call for a QSO.
>
> During one of the local weekly ARES nets I transmit a bulletin and post an
> object that the net is active.  Have occasionally gotten check-ins either by
> APRS message, or by voice by someone that stated they saw the
> bulletin/object.
>
> Bottom line, I use it as a tool to enhance situational awareness and
> communications with other hams.
>
>
> Hope this helps
>
> 73
>
> Randy KA0AZS
> On 2/20/2011 20:18, William McKeehan wrote:
>>
>> In East Tennessee, we have found APRS to be very valuable for special
>> events,
>> but the interest and activity drops off dramatically between those events.
>>
>> We have a weekly voice net on which we discuss APRS; I'd like to present
>> some
>> suggestions there about how APRS can bring value to your every day life.
>>
>> I'm struggling to identify the things for which APRS is ideal for every
>> day
>> life, so I turn to this group for ideas.
>>
>> Do you use APRS daily? Why? How do you use it and what value do you get
>> from it?
>>
>> Thanks!
>
> --
> Randy Allen, KAØAZS
>
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