[aprssig] How To Use APRS With Some Peace Of Mind - SOB

[Steve Dimse]

My point is that the information out there is free and unrestricted. There is nothing wrong with _anyone_ accessing it. It would be illegal were I to use that information in an illegal way. I did not. This information has always been public record. The only difference is that it is much easier to access today.

That is why worrying about your address in the FCC database is senseless. A google search of your name and town turns up your address in a white pages website, one that might have obtained it by scraping it from your county’s online system, unless you have a listed phone number (and maybe it is the latter since your phone number is also on the site).

A crook is far more likely to use the system that has information available on everyone than to use the APRS system that has more limited information about 0.00001% of the population!

I’m not assuming you need to be educated on this. My post is for the same people you are trying to influence. Efforts to control publicly available information are futile. The answer is in awareness that this information IS NOT PRIVATE. Never was, never will be. If you are aware of that you can take appropriate precautions. If someone thinks hiding their address on an FCC web site protects them then they are less likely to do the things that actually will make them safer. 

Steve K4HG

On Jan 20, 2014, at 2:46 PM, WD8ARZ <wd8arz at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> This email was not about those with access, experience and to systems to do what you did. What you did by not having cause probably generates concerns about your behavior. What you and the system dont know is how up to date and accurate is that data, as it is not current as of this time.
> 
> My email was more about those who capture the location data of APRS and use it to time ill well on your well being, or locations, that are location and time sensitive. You know, what APRS is about. The public can copy APRS signals as well as hams. It is not about who I am or how easy it is in this world today to invade some ones privacy with out merit ... such as what you did. It was generate by an APRS user on a different web site having concerns about purchasing Android APRS programs and the requited steps to go about it.
> 
> Yep, APRS location data can also be faked. It isnt hard to put in manual coordinates and send it on its merry way ... ever been to China by car?
> 
> What I understand or dont is an assumption on your part that I need to be educated in this area. Of course a wrong assumption, and more about what your needs and behavior type is about. If your were that sensitive about it, you would have contacted me directly ....
> 
> You have created suspicions about your behavior that make me uncomfortable to use your Java applet ....  not to mention a chill on participation in efforts to share info strategies about our hobby.
> 
> My topic was about an ant hill, dont need to go climb that mountain. Its obvious there are problem folks out there who will abuse the system, like you just did.
> 
> Bill - Out .........
> 
> On 1/20/2014 2:23 PM, Steve Dimse wrote:
>> You do understand what is online, right? Typing you name into your Tax Assessor web site gave me your address, wife’s name, and assessed value of your property. Your county clerk tells me the name of your bank and the date and amount of your last two mortgages. You have no criminal or civil history in your county court system, so good for you on that! It took all of three minutes.
>> 
>> Privacy today is an illusion. But you are on the right track with the Second Amendment!
>> 
>> Steve K4HG
>> 
> 
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