On Tue, 2009-10-20 at 12:56 -0400, Robert Bruninga wrote: > RESULT: Every mobile everywhere that is in view of a satellite, > even without any prior planning, will be alerted to a satellite > in view, its direction and elevation, its frequency and its > Doppler, right there on the front panel of his APRS radio. >
Bob, I am one in total agreement with you on this one. We can all get this information on the iPhone, (and maybe other smart phones), our netbooks, laptops and our desktops. But while driving down the road at 60 or so miles per hour and seeing a current FM sat come up on my D-710/700 in the footprint via RF with an elevation and azimuth that is currently workable is the ultimate solution in my mind. I am one of those 1,000's of operators worldwide you referenced transmitting current satellite positions on a local network, in my case via digi_ned on our local UHF alt-net running on 440.800Mhz at 9.6kbaud within a portion of NWAPRS coverage area (Puget Sound). Within this coverage area it works great, its so nice to glance down at the display and see AO-51 (or others) to the west and over 30 degrees, I hit PM3 and listen to the pass. Sometimes, I even make a contact or two. You have defined the problem very well, when mobile and outside the footprint of a repeater providing this information ..... well what do you do, your only option is to revert back to the internet. Not the ideal solution in my mind. I like RF, thats why I am an amateur radio operator. I am not smart enough to provide a solution. But, it seems to me, that if local igates do not gate these types of packets back to RF in their operational area then the only solution is for us 1,000's of digi operators worldwide to provide this information in each of our operating areas. I always enjoy reading your posts Bob ...... Thanks for all you do 73 kim _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
