APRS without a ham licence?

 While this isn't directly related to amateur radio, I came across this post on another ham radio blog. It refers to a new device called the "goTenna" that pairs with a smartphone for data coverage on "the ultra-low-band frequencies 151-154 MHz". If that's ultra-low band, then what does that make two metres? Compared to most cellular frequencies, I suppose that it is unbelievably low.

Anyway, it sets up a peer-to-peer network between two or more goTennas to exchange data at a slow speed. It doesn't even use the internet. Mostly, it's for exchanging GPS co-ordinates.

From the original article:

The network formed by goTenna is completely off the internet grid, so you’re not going to be surfing the web or tweeting with the device. But goTenna has designed a messaging and location-sharing app complete with downloadable maps that will make it very convenient for people in the middle of nowhere to communicate with another and coordinate their movements.
“It can be used by two people in the Sahara or 5,000 people at Coachella,” Perdomo said. “We’re flexible.”

Hmmm. Doesn't that sound an awful lot like APRS?

Basically, two entrepreneurs have taken the concept of amateur radio APRS and cleaned it up enough to make the messaging and location interface (API) user-friendly. Then they put it on the VHF Business Band and encrypted it so that the 'evil government' can't listen in (wanna bet?), and made it all proprietary.

This is similar to what Garmin did with their "Rino" line of GMRS hand-held radios, only on UHF. Neither of these solutions involve an infrastructure network of digipeaters (beyond the peer-to-peer local goTenna network) or gateways. In both cases, the idea is to keep the packets off of the internet.

While there is software available for hams to use RF APRS packets and display the data on a map, it's not very user-friendly, easy to install, nor particularly portable. It would involve a radio, a TNC, and a laptop. With licensed amateur radio operators comprising less than 0.25 % of the U.S. population, it would be a very limited market for similar smartphone apps to be developed for the purpose. Still, apps such as APRSDroid can be used with an external TNC on Android, though you need to show your licence to get it to work.

The goTenna simply combines the TNC and VHF radio into one convenient (Bluetooth-linked) "stick". It seems pretty clear that either RF power output or battery life (or both) would be severely compromised with this solution. But no ham radio licence would be required, either. It's possible that proprietary goTenna digipeaters will be marketed to solve the problem of limited range, though that's not being planned at the moment.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say. So what's next? UHF SSTV to share photos (wink, wink) without an internet digital trail? RF packet IRC networks to "share files" and "chat" anonymously? Ultrasonic PSK to privately exchange messages in RF-restricted environments? Neighbourhood RTTY networks?  All proprietary and completely unlicensed, of course.

Here's your next million-dollar concept: suppose that there was some way for people to talk to each other, whether they were in their car or at home or out walking the dog, that didn't use the internet or cell network and was free of NSA spying? You could even meet new people, or keep in touch with your immediate family, and it would use RF. No keyboards or distracting text; just normal human voice. Think of the marketing possibilities!