Hi Bob,
Fully agree !
In case of emergency, when we need to forward messages, APRS by the far the most reliable & efficient communication method: - messages take 2 only seconds up/down airtime - spelling family names in voice is error-prone - voice would need voice recording, APRS has findu.com - findu.com can be monitored worldwide (= auto forwarding)
See below the message I forwarded during a 17 degrees PCSAT pass.
Henk, PA3GUO
------------------------------ Onderwerp: APRS Message from PA3GUO-10 Van: ksproul@rci.rutgers.edu Datum: Zat, november 3, 2007 7:19 pm Aan: pa3guo@amsat.org
SSET checking from JO21RJ
-------------------------- Message received by MacAPRS IGate station WU2Z Located in NO BRUNSWICK, NJ APRS path = PA3GUO-10>APRS,PCSAT-1*,qAO,PA3GUO
I am thinking AMSAT (we) need to do more emergency service preparations and tests with our satellites. Not only will that test our capabilities, but we will also need to demonstrate our emergency response capabilities as a group to help sell the new P4 concept to the supporters of this new Geo initiative.