[aprssig] HAMFEST objects

[Robert Bruninga]

New Proposal for HAMFESTS on APRS:

Saw a HAMFEST object in Maryland on the map today as I drove
back from Dayton.  It used the HAMSTORE ICON which stands out
very nicely.  (In fact, I was seeing it on the AVMAP G5 GPS map
display in my mobile which now fully supports over 128 APRS
standard symbols)...

Such info-to-the-mobile is exactly what APRS is all about.  Wow,
I could swing by on my way home from Dayton, and get two-for-one
without having to get a 2nd kitchen pass.  But then, selecting
it on the front panel of the D710, then the date came up.  It
was not today, but two weeks in the future.

This inspired the following idea.  Instead of using the object
name "HAMFEST" which is not unique in the world... it might be
worthwhile to include the date too?   Maybe HAMFST-24 for a
hamfest on the 24th of the month?    Putting the date in the
name, not only answers the question as to when, but also helps
make the OBJECT unique in the world.

But still all the hamfests on the same day would still cancel
each other on FINDU and APRS.FI... So VE7GDH suggested HFESTxxxx
which would give a lot more felxibility in differentiating these
hamfests on FINDU and APRS.FI 

HFEST-24a or HFEST-24b... Etc.  Anyone, one can check the
uniqueness
of his chosen OBJECT by checking http://map.findu.com/hamfest*
before placing his object.  Just choose the next unused letter.
Or anything else to make it unique.  But I think the DATE is
important...

Making the object name unique also lets us use FIND.COM then as
a golbal HAMFEST list!.  If we all began with "HFEST" then this
link would identify all hamfests:  http://map.findu.com/HFEST*

Just an idea.  In the past we recommended the EYEBALL symbol.
But seeing how well the HAMSTORE symbol shows up on most maps
and the G5 GPS, maybe it would be a good idea to use it for all
hamfests and reserve the EYEBALL symbol for MEETINGS.

We can redefine the HAMSTORE symbol to include this definition.
Because a hamstore is really just a mini-hamfest!

Bob, WB4APR


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