[aprssig] APRS-B? interfacing

[Robert Bruninga]

>>> I'm impressed with the 500 mw transceivers on 433 MHz costing
>>> $20 or so and operating at 9600 baud.

 > I think the seemingly dirt-cheap device is a snare and a delusion.
> ... a pair of these devices comprise essentially a cordless serial
cable.
> You are still going to need the functional equivalent of HALF a TNC...
> and then "spoon-feed" one 8-bit byte at a time into the sending
transceiver.

Good points.  I was thinking that Argent Data and Byonics and other APRS
cottages would come up with an interface to their existing
two-way-TRACKERS.  The OT-3 micro module seems to go for about $40 and the
Byonics TT$ for about $57

But I had forgotten about the parallel handshaking, so we do need to do
some interfacing.
I'm getting a few to see what I can do with a Basic Stamp, but that is too
expensive way to go for most of us.

And with the higher data rate, I hope we use this channel for something
besides more just stupid trackers!

My hope I guess is two fold:  1) an APRS like INFO shared channel, and 2)
A different channel for getting HAM radio operators back to llinking their
PC's for backup comms.  Like we used to do with AX.25.  The idea would be
for CLUBS to get everyone in their club to invest about $50 in this club
project, with everyone putting one of these chips on their towers and then
their entire county could come alive with the dozens of 500 mW nodes
providing a MESH network...  Dreaming I am sure...

Bob, Wb4aPR



Bob, WB4aPR






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