expeditionradio wrote: > > The use of the Automatic Sub Bands on HF ham radio for digital data > has been increasing tremendously over the past 5 years. Obviously, > automatic and similar types of operation have become extremely > popular with ham operators. > . What nonsense. In fact it is a small group of hams that are using robot techniques, and if anything the number peaked in the 90s and has been decreasing ever since in terms of actual signals on the air. (Admittedly some of this decrease may be due to the sunspot cycle minimum). Automatic operations are extremely unpopular with most hams, and are far out of the mainstream of amateur radio. Most of the communications are probably illegal under US and other countries' regulations due to the lack of listening before transmitting, and in many cases the communications consists of business over-the-air internet messages which are violative of US Part 97 and other country counterparts.
Automatic operation will continue to decrease as wireless internet service becomes more common, and Pactor robot operations will become less and less desireable as RV Parks, and boat marinas will allow users Wi Fi internet access. Most hotels do this now. Even Starbucks does this now. Pactor and unattended operation will then gradually fade away as a third-rate alternative to direct internet access. By the way, let's all remember who started this obvious flame-bait thread. de Roger W6VZV
