[aprssig] Should Internet-only stations have range circles?

[Stephen H. Smith]

On 4/29/2013 10:16 AM, Andrew P. wrote:
> Greetings, all.
>
> I was just looking at my map of local APRS stations with the range circle display option enabled, and noticed that stations I _know_ are connected only via the Internet have default radius range circles around them.
>
> Should range circles (not from an RNGnnnn or PHGphgd phrase in the position comment, but inferred by default) be displayed if the station's digipeat path shows that it came over the Internet without an RF hop from the originating station?
>

Internet-only stations should not be displaying range circles!

Range is strictly an RF phenomenon.   "Range" on the Internet is a TOTALLY 
MEANINGLESS concept. (How do you rate the height, gain and pattern of an 
antenna when you don't even have one????)

Displaying range circles for Internet-only stations only misleads users into 
thinking the station is reachable on RF.


____________________________________________________________


--

Stephen H. Smith    wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Skype:        WA8LMF
Home Page:          http://wa8lmf.net


  Long-Range APRS on 30 Meters HF
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"APRS 101"  Explanation of APRS Path Selection & Digipeating
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