[aprssig] PIC writers any one out there

[Jason KG4WSV]

Branch out a bit from the PIC, and there are more development support
choices available.  Seems like there's finally a cheap or temporary C
compiler for the PIC, but it's limited compared to other choices.

The OpenTracker series is open source and uses the 68HC series
microcontroller, uses a C compiler with a free version available
(don't recall the name).  One of our teams modified the source to make
a dedicated telemetry feed out of an OT a few years back.

The OT line is pretty useful, has a few ADC inputs available and
telemetry options if that's what you need.

The Atmel AVR line has excellent and completely free compiler support
in the gcc tool chain, available for windows, linux, and mac.  Gary
N4TXI has a very basic tracker implemented in his WhereAVR project
(working code, needs some work for general configuration without
changing source code/EEPROM hex files).  The WhereAVR also has the
beginnings of decode functionality, was actually used to fire the
Buzz-O-Matic balloon cutdown from a D7.  http://www.garydion.com

I know this isn't exactly what you asked for, but if you end up doing
it yourself or having someone on your team do it, these are some
choices.

-Jason
kg4wsv