[aprssig] APRS messaging issues

[Bill Vodall]

>
> That's why messages should be SHORT, use minimum number of hops and follow
> the other 4 key understandings of APRS message operations.
>
> Bob

Is it still the 1980's?   APRS messaging could be one of the most
useful impressive features of the system.  Unfortunately as it exists
it probably does more harm than good.  New folks come, try messaging,
it doesn't work and they go back to anything else - that works.

Having to count ACK's and hops and restrict the message size is not
something that should be on the table for this 2nd decade of the 21st
century.    A message to somebody should be delivered FOR sure and it
shouldn't matter if the operator has his radio on or not.  Queue the
message and deliver it when they check in.  That's how everything else
works.

If there's one big thing we get fixed in APRS this year - it should be
messaging.

73
Bill - WA7NWP