CELLULAR.TXT      CELLULAR AUTOMATIC POSITION REPORTING SYSTEM (APRS)
                           
                  ******  PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT  *****

   With the newly developed Cellular APRS Transmitter (CAT), any vehicle
or individual with a cellular phone and a GPS can report his position to
home base natiowide wherever cellular service is available.  At the
home base, the position report is automatically displayed on a map display
on the dispatcher's computer or networked to other PC's throughout the
company.  In addition to the position, a status message selected from
litterally dozens of pre-arranged messages can be sent.  The cost of each
position/status report is the same as the minimum 1 minute rate with your
cellular carrier.  Today this is typically less than 50 cents.

   The CAT is about the size of a large flat cigarette pack and interfaces 
your GPS to *ANY* cellular phone. It does not require the expensive data 
interface that is available for only the top-end phones.  To avoid 
unnecessary phone charges, and report the most meaningful positions, 
a position report is only sent when the driver/operator presses a button.  
The CAT has a number of status switches which can be set to indicate any 
number of pre-arranged messages.  The messages are field programmable.  
Optionally, several channels of telemetry from the vehicle can also be 
included in the messsage.

   The Dispatcher Interface (DI) is a box that connects the APRS display
computer to the phone line to receive the incoming mobile reports.
Using the DI, APRS can maintain a track on up to 80 or more mobiles
depending on their reporting rate.  Maps anywhere in the country are
available at various levels of detail.  Since the primary application
is the interstate traveler, the basic system comes with maps of the
entire USA with all major roads and interstates.

    The cost of the CAT's are expected to be around $150 each and the
Dispatcher Interface around $220.  Product availability this spring.

For more information, contact Bob Bruninga WB4APR
                              115 Old Farm Ct
                              Glen Burnie, MD 21060

