Simon, Interesting comment about EmComm in the UK. I live in an eathquake-prone area. We assume the telecoms infrastructure will be down for days or weeks, depending on severity. Hurricane Katrina showed other weather problems can take out the telecoms and power infrastructure for a long time.
So EmComm experts here build up the ability to get back on the air without infrastructure. The DStar network, in my opinion should not be a primary part of the EmComm plan, but local unconnected repeaters running on emergency generators could help using DStar apps like DRats for accurate written forms over the radio. Presumably the command center would also have long distance RF links on traditional HF. Hams involvement in EmComm provides another huge resource -- trained people. If public service employees can't get to their work during a disaster, there will probably be some nearby, trained Hams available. The fact that they come with their own radios is a bonus. Responding to Julian G4ILO, I am old enough to remember the AMers complain about the terrible squawk from the new-fangled SSB. But the new technology (wasn't actually new, but new to many Hams in the late 50s) brought in new Hams, increased excitement, homebrewing, experimentation and fun. I see much of the same going on in the DStar community. Now that non-ICOM gear is getting on the air, a few Hams are homebrewing hardware and more are homebrewing software. There's a lot of excitement in this space now. Yes, it is a mixture of VOIP with RF technologies, and in normal times a cell phone would do the same thing, but that statement is true of traditional HF modes -- Hams worldwide could hang up their gear and go to telephones and the internet if simple communicating were the goal. I personally love to sit out in a field doing PSK31 with my NUE-PSK modem and an FT-817ND, both battery-operated, using a portable vertical that goes up in 3 minutes. No infrastructure at all, other than how the battery gets recharged every other day. Some portable solar panels would fix that. I don't get the same thrill using my cellphone or internet email. Jim - K6JM ----- Original Message ----- From: Simon HB9DRV To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 12:54 AM Subject: RE: [digitalradio] Re: 3rd Generation Digital radio D-Star repeaters provide much better coverage due to the codec (I base this on one test made which was most impressive). As for technology - this is part of the Education benefits in Amateur Radio, my interest in radio resulted in a degree in electronics & mathematics. I listen almost all day while working on technology. Anyone can pick up a microphone and talk - so why not go 'down the pub' instead? Some believe that Radio Hams should be banned from all emergency situations in the UK. In countries with a much larger land mass such as the US it's arguable a different matter but for European countries with a good telecoms infrastructure? Simon Brown, HB9DRV http://sdr-radio.com > -----Original Message----- > From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of g4ilo > > Indeed, I don't really see > that even D-Star enhances the hobby in any way > > I'm afraid that technology is starting to take the magic out of radio. > > Of course, I have a different perspective coming from the UK where > amateur radio isn't regarded as primarily an emergency communications > service. :) >
