Hi Rick, At 08:34 PM 8/5/2007, you wrote: >Steve and group, > >1. I really have no knowledge at all about MARS-ALE so I have no >reference to this. I suspect most of us are this way, but there are a >number of MARS operators and perhaps they would look at this differently. > >2. But that brings up an interesting question: > >What really is the difference between MARS-ALE and PC-ALE? > >3. And maybe more importantly, why would there be a need for different >programs that are not openly shared?
MARS-ALE although based on PC-ALE differs in a number of ways, basically its tailored to meet the needs of MARS members and is not in competition with PC-ALE for two-way usage by the general Amateur Radio community. G4GUO and I work closely and both tools benefit from that collaboration. >4. It might be interesting to have one of those voting surveys to see >how many hams are now moving toward PTT control via the rig computer >interface rather than via a separate PTT line. I won't buy any rigs >anymore that can not do PTT control. I still have my old TS-440SAT which >I ran on digital modes decades ago, but then I started using VOX on the >Ten Tec Pegasus (not satisfactory to me) and now have the ICOM rig and >swapped my Peg for a Ten Tec Argonaut V that I think will key up for >digital modes with the RS-232 serial port. The Pegasus supports CAT PTT, even the Jupiter does, but only using Pegasus emulation mode, why Ten Tec does not have CAT PTT ON/OFF commands in the Jupiter command set of a supposedly SDR radio blows me away. The only time that I recommend the use of CAT PTT for for ALE operations when someone is using an otherwise VOX interface of any type as the latency for PTT activition with ANY such device is not fast enough in my opinion. I think you will find on a whole and especially within the ALE community that RTS/DTR hardware PTT is the standard to this day, just look at all the RigBlaster and other interfaces being used ( where if such an interface is the choice and RTS/CTS handshaking is being used either DTR for PTT or again the use of CAT PTT with such units in the Vox position would be used). >5. In terms of split operation being changed, it is welcome. We will >have to differ on the politically correct way to phrase it. I have done >some split operation since I have been a ham for a fairly long time. But >I am a bit uncomfortable toward this kind of operation as those hams are >using up a rather large amount of spectrum. I realize that in most >cases, it is done because there is just no alternative due to different >rules in the three regions. > >6. If it is not possible to monitor the connected stations, then it does >appear that there could be some legal issues with Part 97 and this will >need to be changed to have a listen mode. PC-ALE is not the only means for Radio Amateurs to decode ALE and follow on transmissions and it is certainly not the tool used by the various regulatory agencies such as the FCC. If you want to monitor all the DTM and DBM traffic there are a number of software based options available, some free and some commercial that utilize the PC Sound Device Modem, MultiPSK does so, MARS-ALE can be downloaded and used for such purposes as well with Listen Mode enabled, thousands of Amateurs and Utility monitoring users have been doing so from what I am told, see: http://www.n2ckh.com/MARS_ALE_FORUM/ >7. I really appreciate your help, Steve, and I am sure others on this >group do too. If you support something that is really going to be >successful, it is much better in the long run to be open and inviting to >others and they will want to participate if there really is a perceived >benefit. As I stated, ask away here or via the HFlink forum and I will answer to the best of my abilities. I truly see the benefit to the Amateur Radio Service (ARS) of ALE, especially for ECOM, HF traffic automation, SELCAL and Propagation Analysis, however my main focus is MARS-ALE development, in time I may take a more active role within the ARS ALE scene and PC-ALE development as well, at present my main contribution to PC-ALE is the radio control library. PC-ALE is the most complete software based ALE modem/controller available to the ARS, free or otherwise, it can't help but be successful within ARS ALE circles. /s/ Steve, N2CKH
