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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>OK all of you hotshot programmers I have a idea for
you,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I have already started playing around with this
idea and think it might really be the way to go in the future of APRS for
mobile/portable.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>BLUETOOTH</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I have already tested out this idea as I found a
Bluetooth GPS for $25.00 at GPSnow.com and after adding a bluetooth adapter to
my ACER netbook it works great for the various APRS programs providing GPS data
just as good as the wired GPS's I have used.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>My next thought or area of experimentation
is:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>1. Using a bluetooth to serial adapter ,available
from I/O Gear thru wallmart.com for $60.00+/-, so as to make the in-car setup as
easy as after initial setup just get in the car, turn on the laptop, let the
bluetooth find the TNC and GPS and away you go without having to hookup any
cables.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>2. Adding a bluetooth module internally to a
current TNC so as to skip the external adapter mentioned above.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Just some thoughts as I like what I am seeing with
the various hand held devices versions of APRS be it iPhone/iPod, Windows
Mobile, or Android but we need to maintain the ability to connect a TNC and GPS
if not already in the handheld device for mobile operations outside of the
normal internet connectivity/ caellular data coverage areas.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>In my own opinion this would be the worse thing we
could do to APRS is make it a internet application with a little ham radio mixed
in, and I say this even as a operator of a Igate station as my plans for the
igate is so as to pass messages over greater distances than the radio coverage
permits for ARES & Public Service operations.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Let the flames begin. . .</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Jacob Tennant - K8JWT</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>