There are lots of APRS users out there who have NO IDEA what destruction to the network they cause by improper paths, frequent TX rates, etc. I've been sending polite emails to abusers for years out here in NH, MA, and ME. Most of the time I get a response that they had no idea what to program, or they used the default settings (darn Kenwood rigs). I think most of the web pages with outdated APRS paths have been eradicated, but I do see references to the 'old paths' on the sites. Which if the newbie doesn't read CAREFULLY, could lead them to program RELAY, WIDE. After all, it was in BOLD print.
A simple Google search of "APRS Paths" yields a severly outdated website (and it was hit number 2!): http://www.kd5om.com/aprspaths.htm Number 1 on the search was this: http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths/ The site has 3 1/2 pages of "old path" documentation versus 2 3/4 pages of the "New Paradigm". Humans, being inherently lazy, will not read ALL 6 pages of boring text and jump to the bold print w/out seeing the warnings 2 pages back. I am definitely 'for' a BETTER APRS, beacuse what we have now atleast locally at times is QRM. Locally, if everyone removed just one hop from their path, the network could sigh a relief. I consistantly see mobiles 150 miles away on my screen at every turn they make. That's using WIDE1-1,WIDE2-2. Some of these folks are using WIDE1-1,WIDE3-3! Can't FIX STUPID. Kriss KA1GJU-x
