[aprssig] 2024-09-15 - APRS Foundation News!

Mon Sep 16 12:09:55 EDT 2024

Consider Free Conference Call.com for video conferencing. While the free
level only allows 5 video faces to show at once, do you really need to see
everybody's face? Screen sharing for presentations and everybody can talk
and listen. Records the event. Limits to 1000 attendees in free version. No
length limit on calls. MARS has been using it for training sessions for
years.

Michael WA7SKG

On Sun, Sep 15, 2024, 20:14 Jeff Hochberg <jeffh at aprsfoundation.org> wrote:

> Hello!
>
> In keeping the spirit of ensuring that the APRS community, including all
> our new members!) stays informed, it's a good idea to send out a newsletter
> periodically.
>
> I don't think we have enough news to commit to a weekly newsletter, but
> we'll send these out as we have news to report!
>
> Actually - after getting to the bottom of this message, I decided to
> circle back up to the top...I can't believe how much news there is to share!
>
> If I might make a request...
>
> Please use aprssig and/or APRS on Groups.io to discuss the topics raised
> here. Only use the Contact Us form for matters that require a direct
> response.
>
> https://www.aprsfoundation.org/contact-us/
>
> *************
>   Membership
> *************
>
> The response can be summed up in two words - freaking incredible!
>
> As of the time I am writing this, membership has grown to 137 members!
>
> I am confident that the leadership team did not expect us to get this
> response!
>
> We appreciate your understanding when we reported the issue with the first
> membership management platform. We are very excited about the new platform,
> and it's been nothing but smooth sailing!
>
> *****************
>  Special Mention
> *****************
>
> Over the past couple of years, we've kept in touch with Bob's daughter,
> Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar. We recently sent her an email with the latest
> status update. She was so excited that she signed up to become a member of
> the Foundation!
>
> We recognize Bethanne's support of the Foundation by assigning her an
> "Honorary Lifetime Achievement" member!
>
> Bethanne's response was so touching that we thought it appropriate to add
> her father, Robert Bruninga, the creator of APRS, as a "WB4APR Lifetime
> Achievement Member."
>
> *******************
> Membership Directory
> *******************
>
> Membership grew so quickly - we already had to move up to the second
> subscription level the vendor offers.
>
> Part of the upgrade included a new feature: a Membership Directory.
>
> You will see a new "Directory" link on the right side. If you click that
> link, you can view who else is a member.
>
> And if you expect to find someone who isn't there...please encourage them
> to sign up!
>
> Also - the directory looks even better when you upload a photo! Please
> take a couple of minutes and add a photo to your profile!
>
> *************************
>  Additional Details for Members
> *************************
>
> Many members develop products and services for the APRS ecosystem. Some
> are well-recognized names in the APRS/ham radio community, etc.
>
> Several were very creative in using existing fields to reflect their
> creations. :-)
>
> We want to make it easier!
>
> If you have any suggestions on what Custom Field(s) would be helpful,
> please let us know.
>
> Adding Custom Fields is simple, and we want to provide you with a way to
> share your creations with the rest of the APRS community.
>
> Right off the bat, we thought of:
>
> * Application/Product (this needs a better label for the field)
> * Website
>
> *************************
> A(nother) Call for Use Cases
> *************************
>
> A while back, I sent an email to both aprssig and Groups.io, asking
> everyone to think about how they use APRS and how they would document its
> use case.
>
> We haven't given up on wanting to see this happen.
>
> I spoke 1:1 with one of our members (Chris). He shared how he and his
> family use APRS (almost daily), and I thought it would be a prime
> opportunity for someone to kickstart the Use Case project. Chris said he's
> game!
>
> Help Wanted - Documenting APRS Use Cases
> https://how.aprs.works/help-wanted-documenting-aprs-use-cases/
>
> *************************
> IETF - RFC-like Process
> *************************
>
> We've discussed some ideas about how to facilitate healthy, productive
> conversations about where to take APRS next.
>
> It's safe to say that unless we have some semblance of process around
> this, these sorts of discussions can spiral out of control, and none of us
> want to see that happen.
>
> The challenge is in coming up with finding a process that fits the
> requirements of the APRS community.
>
> If anyone happens to have references they think would be helpful, please
> reach out via Contact Us form on the APRS Foundation website.
>
> https://www.aprsfoundation.org/contact-us/
>
> ********************
> ARDC Grant Proposal
> ********************
>
> Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) provides grants to a wide
> range of amateur radio-related efforts.
>
> The cutoff for the 2025 grant season was 9/6. APRS Foundation officially
> submitted a grant proposal with a one and two-year plan. We expect they are
> only providing funding for 12 months at a time, but we figured it couldn't
> hurt to outline plans for both 12 and 24 months.
>
> As is always the case, your guess regarding whether or not our proposal
> will be accepted is as good as ours.
>
> ARDC stated the following on their website:
>
> "Applications received after September 6, 2024 will be reviewed February
> 1, 2025."
>
> Of course, we will let you know if we hear anything, but for now - we wait!
>
> *********************************
> Executive Team Meetings and Reporting
> *********************************
>
> The Foundation recognizes that members want to know what's going on. Your
> money supports the Foundation's efforts, and you have every right to know.
>
> We are still looking for the best way for you to join us for the meetings.
> We have a Zoom account, but it only allows up to 100 attendees, so we're
> trying to determine other cost-effective methods.
>
> We hope to be able to open the doors (virtually) for our November meeting.
> Whether or not you can attend, meeting minutes will be shared on aprssig
> and APRS on Groups.io.
>
> *********************
> Financial Reporting
> *********************
>
> In addition to the previous point, we want to maintain transparency
> regarding how monies contributed to the foundation are spent. We discussed
> this at our last executive team meeting and are committing to making a
> financial report available once every six (6) months.
>
> That ought to do it! Thanks again to everyone for your support! Please
> tell your friends, fellow hams, ham radio clubs, etc., about how they, too,
> can support the Foundation!
>
> https://www.aprsfoundation.org/membership/
>
> https://www.aprsfoundation.org/donations/
>
> Thanks, and 73!
>
> Jeff Hochberg - W4JEW
> President
> APRS Foundation Inc
>
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