[amsat-bb] Using UNPROTO and CONVERSE via packet satellites

[Robert Bruninga]

> ... tips on [using] the Unproto Roundtable on ISS.
> http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/roundtableiss.html

Miles,
I might suggest the following change for your consideration:

IS NOW:  Example 1:
cmd: U
UNPROTO NAME VIA ARISS 

MAYBE SHOULD BE:
Cmd: U
UNPROTO CQ VIA ARISS,NAME,GG##

The reason is that in the first case, most APRS systems will not
see the packet, because the TOCALL is not one of the generic CQ,
QST, ALL or APRS callsigns.  Whereas, by placing the NAME and
GRID in the digipeater list (after ARISS), then no harm is done,
and both the name and location are included in every packet.


And then when typing in CONVERSE mode, there is one other thing
that users can do to make sure that they will be seen by the
APRS users...  That is, type a ">" at the start of every line.
This will make their text into APRS format so that every D7 or
D700, or other APRS system that is monitoring will capture it.
Otherewise, they wont see the packet.

There is nothing more fun than giving a hand-held packet demo
with a TH-D7 HT tuned to the ARISS downlink, and seeing these
messages show up right there on the radio.  There are many
thousands of these packet-to-front-panel radios out there, and
so the addition of this one simple character at the start of
each packet, will greatly facilitate someone's packet in being
seen..

Now that GO-32 supports APRS digipeating (although at 9600 baud)
we expect to see more of this kind of hand-held and mobile
satellite messaging...

In any case, it doesn't hurt...
Thanks
Bob, WB4APR