Did they release more than the web site below? The course looks like it would give a good overview to hams who are newer to digital modes and are also interested in public service communications and want to see how these mode could be used. If anyone takes the course, I am sure that many of us would be interested in their opinion.
It is my view, that it may be even more important for newer hams to know about a general knowledge of public service communications such as the structure of various organizations, what equipment they may use, and how it can work. Most of public service (90% or more) is going to be tactical phone, and most of that on VHF. There is a move toward moving away from RF paths and toward internet connections in order to extend the range of what was formerly more local capabilities of VHF, examples being Winlink 2000, IRLP, Echolink, D-Star, etc. I have taken all three of the ARRL ARECC courses when they were subsidized by a third party, and while I don't necessarily recommend that you spend the money to do this, if you have not been involved in amateur radio public service, you might consider Course I. The other courses tend to repeat and amplify the information in the first course, especially for those who are interested in becoming leaders in ARES. Then if you find this valuable, you can give consideration to how you would employ digital modes with public service communications. Realistically, it has been a very small part, but maybe that could change? As much as I have been involved with amateur radio digital modes for several decades, I have not found much interest in the general ham community since the packet radio years when almost all active hams were involved with VHF digital. Now most of the HF digital is PSK31 but there are not that many who use many of the other technologies. And as we get more ways of doing more and more digital modes and systems, this tends to spread the users into thinner participation for any one mode or system. It is a very different world than even 10 years ago, much less 20 or 30 years ago. 73, Rick, KV9U The HFDEC (Hams for Disaster and Emergency Communications) yahoogroup discusses all aspects of amateur radio public service. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hfdec/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1 pcooke2002 wrote: > The ARRL Digital Technology for Emergency Communications Course. > http://www.remote.arrl.org/catalog/?item=1247#top > > I know it is a new course, but has anyone had a change to read the > pre-released material. I am wondering if it is worth the money? > > >
