[aprssig] APRS Symbols for embedded ham objects

[Stephen H Smith]

On 4/10/2021 5:10 PM, Pierre F5OPV wrote:
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> Hi everybody,
>
> would it be possible to add  new symbols, relative to APRS of Things, 

> mcu-driven devices for beaconing, telemetry, remote controlers, reporters... 
> objects?
> The aprs equivalent of IoT but specifically dedicated to mcu ham devices.
>
> I’m thinking about icons based on coloured only symbols, similar to 
the '1 to 
> 9' ones located in the primary table, but using the alternate symbols table,  
> thus allowing the use of alphabetic A-Z overlay over the 9 different coloured 
> primary icons and greatly increasing possibilities and richness of Ham of 
> Things icons set.
>
> 73 de F5OPV Pierre
>
APRS symbols are not transmitted over-the-air as little bit-maps.   Only 
two-character control codes are sent, that cause symbols already stored on the 
recipients' systems to be displayed.  As a result, you can't make other 

stations see a new symbol just by transmitting a new code from your station.

Adding any new symbol would require updating the current symbol set stored in 
thousands of hardware devices (like Kenwood and Yaesu APRS radios) and copies 
of APRS software on thousands of computers, tablets, smart phones and web 

sites.   In many cases, the embedded symbol sets are not accessible to change 
at all.

As a result, introducing new symbols is an uphill battle that has been proposed 
many times over the last two decades or so.  (With little success!)


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