[OZAPRS] APRS Tracker

[Gerard Hill]

Hi Howard,

The hardware/software does the listening for us and makes a decision 
about when best to transmit. That is fine - and we all know about the 
risks of hidden transmitters. We have made our best effort to avoid 
squashing someone else, but of course it still happens. That is a lot 
different from totally ignoring any other transmissions and transmitting 
anyway. It basically reduces the chance of getting a successful 
transmission through to a fraction of what it should be, and increases 
the likelihood of QRMing someone else in the process. Its hard to find 
merit in that!

I don't want to get into what is actually being transmitted - that's a 
whole new topic.

Cheers ... Gerard, VK2IO

On 29/11/2010 11:52 AM, Howard Small wrote:
> Gee that's a bit harsh on Byon! Don't forget that even if you are
> listening you may not hear another rig transmitting - that is why we
> have digis...
>
> Anyway, that has always been the case with packet radio - no one
> listens, it is done automatically by received audio or carrier
> detection. Hence there will always be packets transmitted over the top
> of others. All you can stop is transmitting over the top of the digi and
> those within range of you.
>
> Hence the (greater) problem of gates passing large volumes of traffic
> from the internet to RF blotting out the signals of (especially) hand
> held rigs. You can live in a regional area where there should be little
> traffic and find it nearly impossible to get your packet processed by
> the local digi as others on this forum well know!!
>
> Actually I suspect the major cause of congestion is the broadcasting of
> position packets for no purpose other than seeing ones call sign on
> aprs.fi! If packets were restricted to those serving some useful purpose
> there is probably more than enough bandwidth even in densely populated
> areas.
>
> Howard
> VK4BS
>
> On 29/11/2010 10:18, Gerard Hill wrote:
>> The amateur regs have always stated that you should listen first
>> before transmitting. APRS shouldn't be any different.
>>
>> I expect the RTG is contributing to the severe congestion they're now
>> trying to overcome in the US on 144.39 MHz. Byonics should have called
>> it the Micro-Trak QRM.
>>
>> Cheers ... Gerard, VK2IO
>
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