[Xastir-dev] Destination or Waypoint

[Bob Bruninga]

Authors,

If no one objects, I intend to add a new SYMBOL called a WAYPOINT or
DESTINATION.  It will look like a red and white TARGET symbol or Bull's
eye...  (does someone already use this for somthing else?)

It repsents the TARGET or destination of someone who is mobile.  THus, it
is also a "waypoint".  It will accept OVERLAY charagcters so that it can
be used with up to 9 waypoints if needed in special appliactions.

But it has the following unique feature.  ALthough it can be sent as an
OBJECT as normal, it can also be sent as a position from the mobile itself
by a simple one-time change of SYMBOL.  Then receiving software will KEEP
that copy of that position and not replace it later when his symbol
returns to his normal APRS sysmbol.

THus, in a D7 or D700, you can simply go to MENU, enter the POSIT for your
destination, and change to this SYMBOL and then BEACON one or two packets
to be sure you got out, and then change your MENU back to your normal APRS
symbol and your GPS position and drive on.

All APRS clients will capture the TARGET ICON position report and keep it
spearate from futher instances of positions from the same station.

But if a new TARGET is transmitted with the same overlay (if used) then it
will replace the old one.

I suggest the alternate "/" symbol for this WAYPOINT symbol.  Thus:

   "\/" would be just the target
   "F/" would be the target with an overlayed "F" for finish line
   "1/" would be the first waypoint....

etc...

Finally, if I had enough code space, when I receive one of these
WAYPOINTS, I would draw a line between the mobile that sent it and the
waypoint...

I do NOT intend to enourage every mobile to start using this symbol just
because it is there.  But I do think it is needed in our tool kit...

de WB4APR at amsat.org, Bob