[aprssig] Senseless Internet-to-RF Igating Forcing Shutdown of HF APRS Net

[Stephen H. Smith]

On 10/1/2013 3:43 AM, g0jxn.jim at ntlworld.com wrote:
 >
 > Hi Guys
 >
 > A Special Report has been posted on the Net14 Website regarding the future 
of Net14. View it on the opening page at www.net14.org.uk
 >
 > 73
 >
 > Jim, G0JXN/MB7UXN


The Net 14 Website Is Closed	
Hi Guys

When a small group or us formed Net14 our objective was to setup a World Wide 
APRS Net using just RF and the skills of Amateur Radio operators to achieve 
that. Over a period of time we have seen a number of IGates to RF being set up 
and the magic for me has now disappeared. I no longer get a buzz when I get an 
ACK to a message or a successful Ping to a DX station direct when a minute or 
so later I see the ACK appear on the monitor via an IGate. We are just a few 
steps away from the chaos that prevails on the 30m APRS channel in Europe. We 
now also have the added clutter of several Packet Nodes that serve no purpose.

Because of all this and the abuse I have received over the years by email and 
APRS messages, at times with pirate callsigns, from one of those operators and 
the recent attacks on the Net14 Yahoo Group, probably by the same operator, 
simply because I occasionally transmit a bulletin saying "Pls Guys no IGates to 
RF on this QRG", I have decided to withdraw from the Net 14 activities as they 
stand at this moment in time.

I am closing down the Net14 website as of 1st October and am offering up the 
ownership of the Net14 Yahoo Group to existing members. If anyone is interested 
in taking up the ownership please email me by clicking the World logo above.

73

Jim,G0JXN / MB7UXN

Watch This Space For Any Developments

It has been suggested that those operators that wish to be part of an RF only 
APRS Net should QSY to a new frequency. I am very receptive to the suggestion 
but it is probable that the operator mentioned above will also QSY his IGate 
just to create QRM. In that case it would require a unified approach to 
persuade him to cease his IGate activities on the new frequency.   73 Jim G0JXN