I am considering using APRS trackers (T2-301) to help manage mobile resources such as chase or sweep vehicles at special events. Often we do not have adequate staffing to deploy a licensed operator with each vehicle, so I am researching the legality of using such trackers without a licensed operator aboard to babysit. Here are the issues, as I understand them and I would appreciate other perspectives.
1. APRS trackers have many similarities to fixed, wide area digipeaters. In fact, the trackers I'm considering can be configured to simultaneously function as trackers and digipeaters. In order to allow deployment without a licensed operator in the vehicle, the tracker would have to qualify for "automated control" as do wide area digipeaters. 2. 97.221 Automatically Controlled Digital Station seems the logical classification for APRS operation in general. This classification does allow "automated control" and seems to make no distinction between fixed and mobile stations. 3. I have heard repeater control operators discuss the requirement to have remote shutdown control of the repeater station via a frequency or path other than the normal TX/RX frequency pair, but I can find no reference to this in Part 97. The trackers being considered have receivers and support remote commands via APRS text messaging to the device. Are digipeaters and similar digital stations subject to the same alternate control path requirement as voice repeaters or is this requirement something from bygone days? Chuck - AI4WU
