On Sat, Jul 4, 2009 at 4:45 AM, Jason KG4WSV<[email protected]> wrote:
> On Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 10:15 PM, nj2e<[email protected]> wrote:
>>  So can I write a tactical call to
>> a T2-135 or not?
>
> Not.  you can only use a valid AX.25 address; up to 6 case-insensitive
> alphanumeric characters optionally followed by a dash an a number 0 to
> 15.

Well, technically the answer is YES, not NO.

http://aprs.fi/splstd

This is an OT2m running attached to a Motorola SM-50 repurposed into
amateur service. The T2-135 for the purpose of this discussion is an
identical unit. You can set a tactical callsign into the unit, as long
as it fits within the constraints of the AX.25 address limitations.

The FCC assigned callsign is embedded in a packet that gets sent every
10 minutes for all you armchair lawyers.

SPLSTD>APOT21,WIDE2-2:!5321.55NS11254.15W#PHG5560W3, ABn, Spilstead VE6SRV

Tactical callsigns can be used in any APRS device... here are a couple
local digipeaters running on KPC-3s.

EDMNTN>APN382:!5332.70NS11329.65W#PHG65602/W3, ABn, Edmonton VE6SBR
PIGEON>APN382:!5257.28NS11352.50W#PHG5460/W2, ABn, PigeonLake VE6PLP
EVNBRG>APN382:!5333.68NS11503.42W#PHG5530/W3, ABn, Evansburg VE6YER
WHTCRT>APN382:!5401.95NS11543.18W#PHG57302/W3, ABn, Whitecourt VE6PP

Tactical callsigns are preferred on the local digipeaters, as it makes
it very easy to visualize the path taken by a packet when observing
the raw packets received.

VE6GC>BEACON,ANTLER,PIGEON*,WIDE2,qAR,VA6KRM-10:
VE6GC>GPSLK,MKGBRD,ROCKYD,WIDE2*,qAR,VA6KRM-10:
VE6GC>GPSLK,ROCKYD,EVNBRG*,WIDE2,qAR,VA6KRM-10:

It's much easier to visualize where these packets went using tactical
calls. The first through Antler Hill, then Pigeon Lake, the second
through Mockingbird Mountain, then Rocky Mountain House, and the last
through Rocky Mountain House, then Evansburg. You'll have to look up
VA6KRM-10 to figure out where Kerry has the i-gate, but if it used a
tactical callsign such as EDMGTE or such, it would be easier to know
that all these packets were gated through Edmonton.

Tactical call are much easier to read than VA6ONE, VE6PLP, VE6GAB,
VE6DDD, and VE6YER, and then making the appropriate  callsign to
location translations in your brain.

As mentioned previously, sending an APRS object might be a better fit
for this task. You have a couple more characters available, and are
not as limited on the format of the name used. Here are some repeater
objects sent from the digipeaters that drop APRS objects on the map
showing local repeaters, which are also TUNEable with the Kenwood
D710. You could send the local Hamfest object out with location
information, the local talk-in frequency, and in the comment section,
post the date and time information. All of this would show up on the
APRS screens, and be able to be used by the APRS user to be informed
about and get to the hamfest.

EVNBRG>BEACON:;146.64-QC*111111z5338.68N/11400.00WrR50k VE6QCR
PIGEON>BEACON:;146.88-SS*111111z5255.83N/11351.13WrR60k VE6SS
EDMNTN>BEACON;444.80+SB*111111z5332.70N/11329.65WrR50k VE6SBR

Tell me that something is impossible, and I'll find a way around it! 8)

James
VE6SRV

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