[aprssig] A Proposal for the Continuation of APRS

[Andrew Pavlin]

 I am willing to participate in such a proposed organization. I have been an officer of another non-profit (not radio-related), so I have some experience in that area, and I've been implementing and maintaining an APRS program for over 10 years now (started writing it after the 2011 ARRL/TAPR DCC, and first released it to the general public at the 2012 DCC). Professional software engineer for 40 years on a wide range of mission-critical software-based products at both DJI 100 corps and startups, licensed ham since 1978, Extra class since 2009, active in ARES/RACES.

Andrew Pavlin, KA2DDO
    On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 10:42:43 AM EST, Jeff Hochberg <jeff at w4jew.com> wrote:  
 
 
All,


We are so pleased to see the responses from everyone!


A few high-level points:

   
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A few people have emailed John T. and I directly. Steve Dimse asked me to ensure that all discussions related to my original post stay within aprssig. 


While it's great that you want to reach out directly, please ensure you keep aprssig looped in.

If this is going to be a group decision, then it's best to keep everyone abreast of the latest updates.



   
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There was mention in my original email of two others that have shown interest in the initial proposal. 


John Langner - WB2OSZ (author of Direwolf)  provided me with his permission to share his name.

That leaves one remaining "masked" individual that needs to give me the "thumbs up" to reveal their identity - or they can reveal their identity themself (you know who you are - LOL!). :-)

   
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This is not a technology discussion - rather it's to discuss the future of APRS at a high-level. Please keep the conversation relevant. This is not the time or place to solve technology issues. That will come in due time! It’s what we all want to work on.



   
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I can understand and appreciate the concerns about whatever is proposed being based in the United States. 



Don't forget that Robert Bruninga was based in the United States from the inception of APRS as well as long before it. Somehow, APRS made its way around the world and has a global community and it will continue to.


We are 100% on board with equality and diversity - there will NEVER be any biases towards anyone from any cultural, political, religious, ethnic, racial, sex, or any other traits that would otherwise be cause for prejudice.


We come from backgrounds of working with teams that span the globe. There is absolutely ZERO chance of anything that we are championing would end up pigeonholed in a cause that is exclusively within the confines of the United States.


We recognize the efforts of hams around the world - and will continue to do so as long as we are involved.


In fact, as far as I am concerned, anyone that breaches that is cause for immediate termination from the association. 


This is a GLOBAL effort. We ask that anyone that wants to join in to be respectful and courteous to your peers. There’s no need to draw any boundaries around anything we do together. Technology knows no boundaries.


   
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I am not a fan of paralysis through analysis as it’s one of the leading causes that stifles progress. If there are business-level topics that you feel must be discussed prior to moving forward, then this would be an appropriate time to do so.



But again, we ask that the conversations be elevated to a high-level and do not get bogged down in the bits and bytes of APRS.


   
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There were points raised about the cost/expense and legal implications of doing this. Again, don't focus on the specifics. We aren't going to allow bureaucracy and politics scare us from doing what needs to be done.



Truthfully, the cost associated with creating a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation is not as expensive as you might think. I've talked with some people that think it costs thousands of dollars. It isn’t cost-prohibitive if you go about it in an economical manner.


The point in setting up a non-profit corporation is to provide a foundation on which to work with other organizations that would otherwise not work with individuals. Especially in cases where we might want to seek funding from other organizations.


Plus, it provides protections in cases where there are legal issues such that officers cannot have their personal assets seized.


At the end of the day, an organization needs to own the trademark and the domain and there has to be some entity to spearhead the effort.


Please don't focus on the fiscal aspects (or legal for that matter).


   
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It’s a little premature to be thinking of asking manufacturers to join at this juncture. It’s something to think about down the road, but not right now.



 

Please do not get wrapped around in the minutiae. Let's work together as a team effort to further APRS into the future - in whatever form it may take.


For anyone that expressed interest in being part of this effort, your interest has been noted. We appreciate your support and will take you up on your offer!


Think boldly - think strong - and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!


Best Regards,


-JeffH

Jeff Hochberg
W4JEWAtlanta, GAjeff at w4jew.com


  
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