7.16.2008
Some possible good news on the database front! See the latest blog entries for some more detail.
7.6.2008
Help us make ARF a reality for Hams everywhere!
ARF as a product is complete...with one notable exception. We cannot seem to find a vendor for the repeater database who is willing to work with me. We've approached the ARRL in an attempt to work with them, and while they seemed willing early on to work something out, lately they seem to be unwilling to respond to my queries. I've approached at least two other vendors with essentially equal results. If we can't find a vendor to supply the data, We'll need to do one or a combination of several things:
> Create our own by going to publicly available sites and entering data on my own. This is time consuming and can be error prone. Indeed many repeater councils have agreements with ARRL and are reluctant to release certain information. Also, it will take a very long time to build a reasonably complete database of repeaters on all bands.
> Produce tools that allow Hams to enter their own data from their own sources. Examples could include TravelPlus (tm), USRepeaters.com, etc. You would be able to import simple ASCII files into the ARF database using such a tool.
> Get someone to license a reasonably complete database that can be updated by the community. This has always been my preferred method.
I am quite willing to pay a reasonable fee for each copy of a database that I include in the ARF, but I need someone to be willing.
It has always been my intention to make ARF data as open as I could make it and to allow the community to feed back into the process to make the product better. I built the product to allow you to update your database as newer and more accurate data become available.
If you have ideas, suggestions, etc. for how to overcome this problem, I'd love to hear them! Please send feedback, suggestions, etc. on the "Contact Me" page!
73's!
So What's ARF?
ARF is a mobile Amateur Radio operator's dream! Have you ever wanted to know what repeaters are nearby when you travel? ARF can tell you!
It's an electronic kit that contains the entire U.S. repeater database for the 2m, 70cm, 6m, 10m, 33cm, 23cm & 1.25m bands. Using GPS technology, it can locate up to 16 of the nearest of any combination of the above and can display them on its 4x20 LCD display. In addition, it can program your radio so that you can immediately use any repeater it found!
Here's a summary of ARF's features:
> All repeaters/all bands
> Search out to 200 miles
> Search in real-time, as you travel.
> No need to "plan your route" to use repeaters
> Filter by band, distance, type, etc.
> Controls your rig
> All necessary repeater information shown
> Scan feature for located repeaters
> "Blacklist" feature for unwanted machines
> CW support for audible indications
> Firmware and Database are easily upgraded
> GPS data available to external devices
> Much more...!
ARF should be available ssoon, so please check back often to see it's progress!
There's lots more to ARF, so to find out more, click the links above.
Enjoy!