[aprssig] APRS and FD

[Tom Mandera]

> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:00:47 -0400
> From: "Bob Bruninga" <bruninga at usna.edu>
> Subject: Re: [aprssig] Field Day 2011 and APRS
> To: "'TAPR APRS Mailing List'" <aprssig at tapr.org>
> Message-ID: <0c3d01cc3664$f241cd90$d6c568b0$@edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>> I think the problem is there are no points in it.
>
> Yes, I gave up on APRS as 'part' of FD years ago, and completely ignore
> the
> ARRL's attempts to force it into a corner.  But that does not mean I don?t
> bring it to FD!

As I interpret the rules, APRS contacts are perfectly valid for FD points,
likely as a "VHF digital" exchange, but would require the contact to be
SIMPLEX, radio to radio.

I had every intention of initiating some NTS traffic via Packet and then
operating an APRS station at our FD site this year, but found myself
sitting there with three computers, a radio, and two TNCs all available,
only to realize that I had:

1) computer with term program but no serial drivers
2) Win7 computer with serial drivers, but Hyperterm doesn't exist any more
3) Linux computer with serial drivers but no term program.

#3 did have Xastir installed, but I was so annoyed at trying to get things
to work  - and dinner was ready by then - that I didn't pursue it.

I think I needed a terminal program so I could put the Kam+ into KISS mode
for Xastir to work anyhow.. since I left the KISS OT+ at home.