[aprssig] APRStt (touchtone) lives (example)

[Robert Bruninga]

For example,  just using a THD72 HT, my son started at the finish of a 40
mile mountainous runner event and ran towards the start and while running
was able to enter EVERY runner he passed and sent it in via APRS message.
At HQ, then there was a LOCATION (his position) and a TIMESTAMP for every
runner in the event (in a remote area).  All done by just one person with an
HT and running too boot!

This is thinking outside the box.

All he had to do was enter each runner number and a comma into an APRS
message on the HT, and when the message was full, send it and begin
accumulating the next message...

I think he did every runner in 12 messages.  Oh wait, here is a web page on
it:
http://aprs.org/HAMsupport.html

This is not DTMF but is just an example of pre-planning data value and
benefit and applying APRS...  Lots of events can convey a lot with just a
few numbers.

Bob, WB4APR

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu>
Sent: Monday, April 8, 2019 1:04 PM
To: Peter Laws N5UWY <n5uwy at arrl.net>
Cc: aprssig at lists.tapr.org; Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu>
Subject: RE: [aprssig] APRStt (touchtone) lives

The way APRS DTMF works is that you have a 4 digit "message" code and then a
10 digit callsign so that it all fits in a DTMF memory and can be sent with
a single key press.  Yet each message is attributed to a callsign or
station.

The 4 digit message code consists of selecting a pre-defined message (1 of
99) and then including a 2 digit "modifier"  as in "Runner 43 is down" is
0743.  I know this will not work as is for large runner numbers >99, but it
does work as is for small events with numbers under 100.  But you get the
point.

All callsigns and station names of 6 characters or less can be accommodated
in the ten callsign digits.  The callsign part of the string is always sent
from pre-loaded DTMF memory after keying in the initial 4 digits.

So think about how we can use this capability.  Remember, almost everything
that has ever been said on ham radio has most likely already been said
before.  We just need the top 99 for any particular event template.

Bob, WB4aPR
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Laws N5UWY <n5uwy at arrl.net>
Sent: Monday, April 8, 2019 12:49 PM
To: Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu>
Cc: aprssig at lists.tapr.org
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRStt (touchtone) lives

On Mon, Apr 8, 2019 at 10:48 AM Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu> wrote:


> 1.  Runner XX just passed
> 2.  Female XX just passed
> 3.  Handicapped XX just passed
> 4.  EMS is on scene
> 5.  Need more water
> 6.  Need checkpoint captain
> 7.  Runner XX is down
> 8.  Need EMS
> 9.  Am at checkpoint XX
> 10. ....?

If reporting a runner's sex is really needed, can't you just add and M or F
flag (or H for disabled runner ... maybe Y for runner under some age that
means something)?  Dunno - not a marathon volunteer (or runner!).

When is the launch expected?  (and yes, I know what the date means - "no
earlier than")


--
Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!