The Winlink 2000 programmer developed the SCAMP mode over two years ago. This mode did not have the weak signal operation that was hoped for, but it did have busy frequency detection. Maybe you missed the discussion on this or are new to the forum?
Busy frequency detection is a reality, it is already invented and I believe that it should be MANDATORY for all automatic stations, whether semi or fully automatic. It was interesting that before Rick, KN6KB, invented this detection software, the common belief was that it could not be done. I included this in my extensive comments to Paul Rinaldo at ARRL who is gathering information on a possible new HF digital protocol. I hope you, and many others, did the same when comments were sent to Paul. In terms of ARRL NTS nets, they know, and any knowledgeable ham knows, that they do not have exclusive use of any frequency, however, they would very much appreciate it if you would allow their net to operate on their QRG, just like any other thousands of nets of all kinds. Most of us can move a little bit to help them out. Remember, that at least theoretically, these nets may be useful for traffic handling during emergencies. Without the daily practice, of these operators, the net may not perform as well when we really need it. Last year, I was able to route a Health & Welfare message to Alaska, from a tornado victim in a nearby community. 73, Rick, KV9U Kurt wrote: > > Walt and others this is the problem. We are required to check to > make sure the freq is not busy and to not interfer with other > communications, if we hear them. > > Yet WinLink is automatic and never checks before it starts > transmitting. So who is at fault the operator in qso on a certain > freq, or the automatic station that comes on over the qso in > progress. Simple logic would say that the automatic station is > wrong, but it seems that FCC/ARRL/IARU if not others, do not care if > the automatic station comes on over the stations already in qso. > > Being this is the digital radio, maybe somewhere down the road a > programmer will get a program going that will listen before it > transmits, but I guess I will continue to use the computer between > my ears to make sure the freq is not busy. Hey it's an old computer > but still works great. > > 73 > Kurt > K8YZK > > >
