[aprssig] SSTV and the APRN - the time is now

[Robert Bruninga]

Ham Radio can really make good use of Handheld smartphone SSTV
applications anywhere anytime by adding APRS to ID and catalog the images.

Since EVERY ham with a  smartphone, iphone, android or tablet (or old VCH1
KenCam) can send and receive SSTV images over the air via any HT or walkie
talkie, NOW we have a real untapped emergency response imaging capability
that we are not exercising.

See http://aprs.org/aprn.html

The APRN network allows anyone to upload or download any real-time image
to/from the local APRN server via a local VHF frequency.  And they use
their APRS handheld to send a message TO APRN that identifies the SENDER,
TIME/DATE, and location of the image.  This allows the image to be
cataloged, sorted and saved and served on demand.

The image is not only available over the air back to any radio user on
demand, but is also available to anyone on the web, such as emergency
operators to view images from the "scene".

Sure, any smartphone can send an image via broadband.  But with APRN, they
can do it anytime, anywhere even without their wireless network and it is
seamlessly shared locally and globally.  And if we practice, anyone with
an APRS radio can do it.

AND the local APRN frequency is visible locally on the APRS map via its
own FREQUENCY OBJECT.

The only problem, is that I am too old to write the APRN code.  The local
APRN code runs on any computer, and has two radios.  One sending and
receiving the SSTV images on the local APRN VHF channel, and the other
radio is on the APRS channel for communicating the information and putting
the images on the map and for receiveing image queries.

Any authors with nothing to do ready to step up to the plate?

Bob, WB4APR