[aprssig] APRS and dstar (why)

[Bob Bruninga]

>> Therefore the short cut for AVRS is to simply JOIN DSTAR. 
>> The concept is simple.  Take one of those Dstar kits, 
>> add it to a PC with full APRS connectivity on one side
>> and Dstar on the other, and what we get is an ASTAR node.
>
> Not being a naysayer, but what value does APRS add 
> to this equation?  Sounds like we all need to switch 
> to DSTAR, and build "DVRS" instead of "AVRS"?

The value is to about 40,000 existing owners of APRS radios.  The ASTAR REPEATER gives them a gateway into the local and global VOICE connectivity of the DSTAR system.   The APRS radio is necessary on the analog repeater side to ID and DISPLAY all connection and link maintenance data.

> My personal hangup with DSTAR is the price of the 
> hardware (especially when I consider the price of 
> the APRS gear I already have).

Bingo  You just made the point perfectly.  Thanks

Bob, WB4aPR