From: jwl@ferrari.cray.com (Jim Lynch)
Subject: Re: Online Repeater Directory! Watch For It!
Reply-To: jwl@ferrari.cray.com (Jim Lynch)
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.  Eagan, MN.
Date: 29 Dec 92 10:52:23 CST

In article <1992Dec29.144403.15398@ms.uky.edu>, johnr@mik.uky.edu (John S. Roberts, Jr.) writes:
>I was the dude that started this thread.  Idea being that everyone thought that  
>the ARRL directory wasn't as useful as it could be and therefore I considered  
>scanning in what they had and then taking modifications from you.
>
>Watch for software within the next several months which will contain all the  
>data from the ARRL and then allow you to map routes, get local listings, and  
>many other useful things!  What platform would you guys prefer (NT, windows,  
>dos)?
>
>John
>
>--
>-=+ John S. Roberts, Jr.       FACTS Center  McVey Hall  Room 100  +=-
>-=+ Communications Consultant  Work: (606)257-2275  Home: 272-1417 +=-
>-=+ University of Kentucky     Ham: KD4UBM   DoD: 727   '85 Shadow +=-
>-=+ Computing Center           HomeUUCP: johnr%agnostic@ms.uky.edu +=-

Well, you asked, so here it is.

I am driving down the highway in rural america when I decide I want to 
talk to someone on a nearby repeater, or maybe I just ran into a bad accident, so
I grab my notebook or laptop computer and bring up my new nifty program that
John just wrote.  John's program has access to two databases, one listing the
information about each repeater, like location (lat. and long.), height of 
antenna above sea level, power out, antenna gain (and pattern if not omni-directional,
call sign, availability of open phone patch, etc.  The other database has the
entire U.S. Geological survey data complete with locations and titles of roads, towns
rivers, etc.  John's fine program accesses the GPS card in the notebook/laptop
and determines my exact location and calculates the estimated signal strength of
all of the repeaters in the area and discards the ones that would have unreliable
paths.  Now it displays a map of the area showing the locations of the repeaters
their frequencies, and relative signal strengths expected.  OH, I forgot that the
radio is equipted with the remote control module so it can be controlled by
notebook/laptop via the new interface card.  When I decide which repeater to try
I touch the touch-sensitive screen at that location and the radio is set to that
frequency.  Since I have the vox option on the radio, I just call for help.  

How about that John?

I forgot that the interface card in the notebook/laptop also has a voice synthsizer
so you don't have to give your call!  

What is so scarey about this is that it is doable today.  Might cost a bunch and
the GPS receiver isn't small enough to fit into a notebook, and the survey data 
probably would take a handfull of CDs, but everything would fit into a car.  
Hey, anyone want to start a business selling one of these?

73 
Jim.

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Lynch, Sales Analyst,  Cray Research, Inc. / ARS: K4GVO
Southeast District, Phone: (404) 631-2254, Email: jwl@sedist.cray.com
Suite 270, 200 Westpark Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269
From: Larry.Lund@p12.f79.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Larry Lund)
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