[aprssig] PREPS FOR NWAPRS SUMMER GATHERING

[Robert Bruninga]

> I'll start preps for the NWAPRS Summer Gathering which is a 
> little more than a month away.

This reply may bounce to the NWAPRSSIG, but please pass along my
request to emphasize LOCAL INFO AND MESSAGING.  

I think the newness of just watching ICONs move on maps is a
dead-end to growth in APRS.  Those that like it do, and those
that have no interest in ICONS (the vast majority of hams) will
never look at APRS.

But if APRS was used as it was intended, as a RECEIVE resource
for local info presented to the mobile operator, including
FREQS, repeaters, Echolink etc,  And if people actually put out
a message aobut what they were doing, then others coiuld join
in...
Etc..

But this wont happen if APRS users do not TRANSMIT useful info.
Hence the need to motivate them at your meeting.  If any ham is
anywhere in local APRS connectivity and after 10 minutes is
*not* seeing local info for the traveler, then the local area
needs to be reminded to do something about it...

My 2 cents 
Bob, WB4APR