Joe, 

>I think if you use a TNC-X or TAPR clone with the custom E PROM then
>you will have a fool-proof digi that can survive power outages and
>other issues and not mis configure itself on reboot. As others have
>mentioned, your igate only needs to be in range of the digi, not at
>it. I have been experimenting with an igate at my house and I really
>wouldn't want it someplace remote. I got APRS+SA working as an igate >and also got Xastir running very quickly by using Mepis Linux and
>doing the apt-get install routine, which is actually easier than
>Windows. Where my Linux experiment foundered was I could never get 
>Mepis to use the serial port on my laptop and connect to a TNC. Since
>you have 3 radios, you could use one for your digi, one for the igate,
>and one for a 144.99 receiver that could resend what it receives on
>144.39 up to the digi if you wanted to. In Annapolis we have a 144.99 ?>digi that I use when I am there. I don't know how common that is in
>other areas. Also there has been some talk of rolling out 6 meter
>digis if you want to try that. 

     I'm getting your drift here.  You make a very valid point and it is an approach I hadn't even considered.  

     However, I do want to choose hardware so that is we end up with a high-speed Internet connection on that site that we won't be replacing but adding hardware to our existing setup.  

>Might be interesting to get an old commercial "low band" radio and
>crank out 100 watts :)

     Sounds like a possibility.  

     I think I've hit an information gold mine for APRS with you fellows.  

     73, 



                                           Fred, WB4AEJ 


