MAPS.txt ver 7.4a          ALL ABOUT APRS MAPS

SUMMARY: There are three other important MAP README's.  

   MAPMAKIN.txt describes the format of APRS maps and how to make them.  
   MAPS-CD.txt  tells you how to make maps from the USGS CD ROMS.  This
                is where all the action is.
   MAPS-HST.txt covers how to drive around, save a track history,
                and then use that track to add to an APRS map!
   ANYxxx.map   APRS maps are DOS TEXT.  Look at one!

MAP DISTRIBUTION:

The APRS distro disk now includes the basic APRS74.zip file and major
USA maps plus an additional XmapsVV.zip for your area.  The following
MAPLISTS tell APRS which map to use for any given  cursor location and
range.  The default is MAPLIST.USA.  Use the MAPS-CHANGE command to
select the alternate MAPLIST for your area.  To see the boundaries of 
these regions, use the MAPS-ALT command when centered on the USA map.
These are only the ones that I provide.  Numerous states have now 
developed their own lists...

MAPLIST FILE  DISTRO MAPS   COMMENTS
------------  -----------   -------------------------------------
MAPLIST.USA   APRSxx.zip    World and regional maps
MAPLIST.EAS   Emaps07.zip   Virginia and north, and East of Ohio
MAPLIST.MID   Mmaps06.zip   Midwest Ohio through Illinois
MAPLIST.CEN   Cmaps03.zip   Dakotas, NE, KS, TX to Wyoming & Colorado
MAPLIST.WES   Wmaps05.zip   Idaho, Utah & Arizona and west
MAPLIST.SE    SEmaps07.zip  Arkansas to east and south
MAPLIST.EU    EUmaps01.zip  European maps
MAPLIST.AK    AKmaps02.zip  Alaskan Maps

OTHER DISTRIBUTION PACKAGES BY STATE COORDINATORS:  Here are some
additional map distributions which also have their own MAPLISTS.
Look for them on your local area BBS's.  

MAPLIST.AK    AKmaps01.zip  Alaska   
MAPLIST.AL    ALmaps01.zip  Alabama
MAPLIST.CA    CAmaps03.zip  California (Currently in WES)
MAPLIST.MI    MImaps01.zip  Michigan   
MAPLIST.MN    MNmaps01.zip  Minnesota
MAPLIST.MO    MOmaps02.zip  Missouri
MAPLIST.OH    OHmaps03.zip  Ohio
MAPLIST.NC    NCmaps01.zip  North Carolina
MAPLIST.ON    ONmaps01.zip  Ontario


APRS STATE MAP COORDINATORS!

The following list of individuals has either volunteered or been drafted
as a point of contact for APRS in their area.  All have demonstrated
their acumen by having figured out how to make at least ONE APRS map.

KE4EER Bill Nolle    Huntsville    AL ke4eer@ro.com (lots of streets!)
N7QVU @K7BUC.AZ      Tuscon        AZ 602-492-2545(w) jwyatt@amex-trs.com
WC7R  @KB7FRV.AZ     Prescott      AZ BBS 520 778-9198. alanwc7r@primenet.com
KD6MKS               Silver Lake   CA
W7KKE @KA6EYH#nocal  San Franciso  CA Wrote Digitizer and CONV100!
WA4MEJ               Jaxonville    FL
KD4UYR               Clearwater    FL
G3ZFJ @W4DPH.#TPA.FL Tampa         FL has digitizer
N4NEQ                Atlanta       GA Ralph Fowler rwf@mindspring.com
WH6YC                Honolulu      HI Dave DObbins (ex KB5UBW fm TX)
KG0DW & N0YKX & KI0Q IOWA          IA
N9LCI                              IL David Chesser
AD4CR @WB4HFR.#MIDKY.KY            KY
KB5YRZ@N5SSY#METLA   New Orleans   LA
W1KRU @KA1TUZ.MA     Boston        MA
KD1E  @N8NNN.#SEMI   Michigan      MI
W8VPD                Michign UPPER MI
KU0G  @KU0G#NWMO.MO  Kansas City   MO  Lots of maps!
KC5AUG                             MS  601-325-8553 cll4@ra.msstate.edu
W4NMK                Black Mtn     NC
WA1VJH               Keene         NH  digitizer
N2FET                New Jersey    NJ
G3ZFJ/W2             Long Island   NY  Bob W2G3ZFJ@unix.asb.com
KB8JXO@W8CQK.#CMH.OH Columbus      OH  Over 50 maps!
KG8GE                Narion        OH  wrote CAD APRS map program!
N7ZKL @K7IQI.OR                    OR  Oregon 
KD1HA @KA1RCI.RI     Rhode Island  RI  (new england)
KN4IM @N4CII#CHS.SC  Charleston    SC  On HF. 803-552-0654
WB5DTW               SanAntonio    TX
N5JXS                Houston       TX
N5ZXD @N4QEP.#WTX.TX Lubbock       TX  good with Mapfixer! N4WJQ  @
WA4TFZ.VA            Charlottsvlle VA
W8KVK                West Va       VA
KB4XF @KC4ASF#NOVA.VAFredericsburg VA  Wrote MAKEMAP!
W9LZQ                Onalaska      WI
WA7NTF@WA7NTF#TAC#WWA.WA           WA  gkohtala@halcyon.com

ZR6ABC@ZS0DLD.TVL.ZAF.AF           South AFRICA
VK4TAB               Brisbane      Austrailia (digitizer)
VE3SVE               Ontario       ON  ONmaps01.zip @ 905-792-7890
PA0RYS               Netherlands   EUROPEAN APRS DISTRO. See REGISTER.DOC


ALL APRS STATE MAPFILES SHOULD CONFORM TO THE FOLLOWING RULES:

INDIVIDUAL MAPS:  If you make a disk or FILE with individual maps in it,
send it to your state map coordinator and include a piece of paper with 
the exact LAT/LONG/RANGE and insertion instructions so that he can edit 
it into his MAPLIST.  Include instructions on where to insert the new 
map(s) in the heirarchical list.


STATE MAP COORDINATORS:  Please, DO NOT modify MAPLIST.USA, or any of
the standard distribution MAPLISTS.  Their integrity is MY
responsibility.   Also, do not make any changes to MY maps without
CHANGING the map name.   When users unzip your files, there should be NO
FILES in your files that  can unknowingly replace my original distro
files.  I WELCOME your changes  to MY maps, but send them to me (with a
unique name) so that I can be the  one to make the change to the
distribution copy...

     ALL mapnames should begin with your two letter STATE abbreviation.
Consider making the next five characters represent individual counties
or metro areas.  The last character can be N,S,E,W, or any of the other
26 letters or numbers.  Of course other names like XXneast or XXsouth
are also good for the larger maps.  Your distribution files should
contain ONLY YOUR maps, and NO OTHERS for which you are not responsible.

     Build your MAPLIST.XX to include ONLY your XX state maps and all
larger maps that contain your state all the way up to WORLD.map.  

     All XX state map distribution packages should be named consistently
as XXmapsVV.zip, where VV is the version number.  Everyone can use that
list to see the extent of your efforts and responsibility. The version
number lets everyone know whats new, and lets BBS SYSOPS know whats OLD
and can be deleted.

     Distribute interim UPDATE files as XXaftrVV.zip.  This file will
contain all of the NEW maps and changes for state XX, AFTER version VV.

     If you want to try to maintain an overall MAPLIST directory which
includes all maps that your users may be interested in, including maps
outside of your area, then name it MAPLIST.xxA.  The xx identifies the
state, but the A on the end clearly identifies it as including ALL that
your users might want. If you have room, you can actually begin with
MAPLIST.USA, add all of your unique maps and save this new list as your
MAPLIST.xxA.  By keeping all the .USA maps in your maplist, then your
local users will still be able to see most of the USA with reasonable
resolution without having to change MAPLISTs. 

FINALLY, build your zip file by placing your MAPLIST.XX in a directory
by itself with a SUB directory MAPS that contains all of your maps. 
Then use PKZIP -rp XXmapsvv.zip to zip up your package.  This way the
directory structure is preserved and when the user uses PKUNZIP -d
XXmapsVV.zip, he will get the MAPLIST and the MAPS in the right places.

If we are all consistent in our distribution packages, then the users
will have a lot less troubles...


CAUTION:  When adding MAPS to any MAPLIST.xxx file, the location of the
map in the list is VERY IMPORTANT.  Your new map must go AFTER any other
larger map covering the same area, and BEFORE any smaller maps which
overlap or may be included in your map.  THis includes the edges of
surounding areas and states.  Use the MAPS-HEIRARCHY or MAPS BORDERS
command to see the effect..


I HAVE WRITTEN A PROGRAM CALLED MKmapLST.bas which will scan a given
directory and will BUILD a maplist from the data in the files.  This
list will NOT be in the proper heirarchical order, but can be used with
an editor to cut and paste together a list for your area.  I dont think
this program will ever need to be used by the average user.

It simply reads the map CENTER coordinates in the various MAP files and
builds a simple list of them.  If SOMEONE would like to add to this
program to give it the intelligence to properly overlap the heirarchical
structure, PLEASE DO SO!


COMMERCIAL MAP MAKERS:  I would encourage anyone that has the time and 
the energy to consider going into business making APRS maps for hire.  
Since APRS maps are intended for the public domain, do not expect to get 
per-copy fees or royalties, but there should be many HAM clubs or groups 
that might like to HIRE you to make a map for them.  I think there is a
BIG market out there for people that need maps.  Again, this is NOT  to
commercialize APRS maps, but simply to make available expertise where 
needed.  If you are going into this business, please contact me.  John
Baum KB8JXO in  Columbus Ohio is making detail street maps for a
comparable contibution, see his 2 mile map around my house. 3909N
07636W.




