Actually, the smartphone SSTV ap can just as easily generate the associated APRS packet audio as well to ID the image. Thus it fully does everything.
From taking the picture and sending the ID info so it can be cataloged and
distributed by the APRN network.
A simple Mic-E object packet would put the location of the image on the map and the direction the camera was facing, and the title of the image, and sender, date and time. All in only a short 25 byte packet.
-----Original Message----- From: Robert Bruninga bruninga@usna.edu Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 9:35 PM To: aprssig@tapr.org Cc: Robert Bruninga bruninga@usna.edu Subject: SSTV and the APRN - the time is now
Ham Radio can really make good use of Handheld smartphone SSTV applications anywhere anytime by adding APRS to ID and catalog the images.
Since EVERY ham with a smartphone, iphone, android or tablet (or old VCH1 KenCam) can send and receive SSTV images over the air via any HT or walkie talkie, NOW we have a real untapped emergency response imaging capability that we are not exercising.
The APRN network allows anyone to upload or download any real-time image to/from the local APRN server via audio on a local VHF frequency. And they use their APRS handheld to send a message TO APRN that identifies the SENDER, TIME/DATE, and location of the image. This allows the image to be cataloged, sorted and saved and served on demand.
The image is not only available over the air back to any radio user on demand, but is also available to anyone on the web, such as emergency operators to view images from the "scene".
Sure, any smartphone can send an image via broadband. But with APRN, they can do it anytime, anywhere even without their wireless network and it is seamlessly shared locally and globally. And if we practice, anyone with an APRS radio can do it.
AND the local APRN frequency is visible locally on the APRS map via its own FREQUENCY OBJECT.
The only problem, is that I am too old to write the APRN code. The local APRN code runs on a local computer, and has two radios. One sending and receiving the SSTV images on the local APRN VHF channel, and the other radio is on the APRS channel for communicating the information and putting the images on the map and for receiveing image queries.
Any authors with nothing to do ready to step up to the plate?
Bob, WB4APR