Mikel Forcada EA5IYL / N7EESThe #SOTAMāt approach to spotting and messaging over HF and FT8 has inspired me to put together —yes, I did use *that* help— an experimental receiver for messages of the kind used by SOTAMāt (that is, a single letter, a blank, a callsign, the slash, and a hopefully meaningless suffix, as in 'Z EA5IYL/33QQ' (using 'Z' instead of SOTAMāt 'S'). Very rudimentary, but could be useful.
By the way, while I understand the reasons behind Brian's AB6D's decision, I think the #sotamat app could have been free/open-source. I know there are some 'secrets' as regards suffix selection and computation, but I'm sure a FOSS app with some kind of configuration encryption would have allowed users to repurpose it for other uses.
Just tested the #SOTAMAT system that uses free FT8 messages to send "canned" emails to my spouse when I'm up with no cell coverage. Set up a few messages on the server before you leave and load them into the SOTAMāt app on your phone. When you reach the summit, tune to an FT8 frequency on your radio and let the app squeal one of the pre-programmed FT8 messages three or four times into your mic. The skimmers pick it up, SOTAMāt gets it and sends the selected email message. It works like a charm.
DevinDuring my #POTA activation today I made a 20m SSB contact with France and didn't realize until after that I was only running 10W since I had turned the power down to spot myself using #Sotamāt. Not bad under less than ideal band conditions.
I also made a couple of 20m P2P contacts with two OPs who were around 4 miles away from me.
W6KME@bud_t SOTAmat is indeed a wonder. It came about just as I was getting into SOTA after watching friends for several years, and I can't imagine activating without it.
Modern cell coverage doesn't cover mountaintops even when they're line of sight now.
For those that don't know-you preformat a few messages and alerts, then SOTAmat sends audio from your cell phone speaker that you transmit on an FT8 frequency. Instant spots, SMS messages, etc. Very cool stuff.
Abraxas3d W5NYV
hambitious
