[aprssig] Txt messaging

[Tom Hayward]

On Thu, Aug 31, 2017 at 12:07 PM, Greg D <ko6th.greg at gmail.com> wrote:
> The problem is
> that an iGate is not covered under the "safe harbor" laws, meaning if
> some license-risking traffic traverses your iGate, even through no fault
> of your own, it's your license that is at stake.

We're going off on a tangent here, but IMO, § 97.219 applies here:

§ 97.219 Message forwarding system.

(a) Any amateur station may participate in a message forwarding
system, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license
held.
(b) For stations participating in a message forwarding system, the
control operator of the station originating a message is primarily
accountable for any violation of the rules in this part contained in
the message.
(c) Except as noted in (d) of this section, for stations participating
in a message forwarding system, the control operators of forwarding
stations that retransmit inadvertently communications that violate the
rules in this part are not accountable for the violative
communications. They are, however, responsible for discontinuing such
communications once they become aware of their presence.
(d) For stations participating in a message forwarding system, the
control operator of the first forwarding station must:
(1) Authenticate the identity of the station from which it accepts
communications on behalf of the system; or
(2) Accept accountability for any violation of the rules in this part
contained in messages it retransmits to the system.


APRS-IS makes an (albeit naive) attempt at authentication, so if your
station retransmits inadvertently communications that violate the
rules, it does not risk your license until you are aware of its
presence and don't discontinue it.

Note: FCC rules are only applicable in the US, where Greg is located.

Tom KD7LXL