[amsat-bb] APRS Messaging QSOs

[Yono Adisoemarta]

Over here in Indonesia, APRS via satellite is busy whenever IO-86 passes with APRS mode or ISS.
Typically 3-5 stations are exchanging messages. 
The equipment ranges from Baofeng HT with aprsdroid on smartphone to a Moxon antenna up to UISS on a regular computer.

Gotta go, IO-86 is coming in a minute with APRS mode.

73 de Yono - YD0NXX 
Jakarta, Indonesia 


Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 27, 2020, at 2:04 AM, Robert Bankston via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> 
> It's a shame that their are not more APRS messaging satellite QSOs being done via ARISS and other satellites.  Is this because... 
>   * Lack of equipment?  * Erratic operational schedules?  * Proliferation of non-attended stations (beacons)?  * Too much button pushing?
> Most ops you an HT and very few of those have APRS messaging capability.  Those HT's that do (including mobiles) are a bit clunky and require fast thumbs to complete all of the necessary steps to complete a QSO.  Of course the more you do it, the more second nature it becomes, but that circles back to the erratic scheduling.
> One solution could be to develop an app or software with prescribed message formatting and QSO automation, similar to similar FT8.
>   (click on target call in station list)  * [Target Call] [My Call] [My Grid]  * [My Call] [Target Call] (Target Grid]  * R [Target Grid]  * RR [My Grid]  (click on log QSO)
> Single board computers could easily handle the task (even the Pi Zero), for those worried about keeping their station small. Only thing left would be a microarduino TNC or soundcard and a couple cables to the HT mic and earphone jacks.
> Just a thought.
> 73, Robert KE4AL
> _______________________________________________
>