Good points, Dave, Considering that RTTY, the oldest digital mode (not counting morse code which goes back to spark), is still one of the most common modes, and PSK31 is the most common of the newer modes, it appears that there is only a small interest in any new digital technology. When I ask other hams why they don't do digital, (which is most hams), some indicate they don't want to do anything with interfacing their computer or they don't type and have no interest in such things. As a promoter of digital modes at least I am on the schedule for our local ham club to do a digital presentation next November, so you can see it is not exactly high priority, HI. (I did a demo last summer using Judy's HF mobile station with one of our quick setup NVIS HF antennas and showed several hams her computer/rig/interface for digital).
The HF Digital Procol Survey done by Paul, W4RI, Chief Technology Officer Officer of ARRL, suggested that: - few hams were interested in this information as the results were shockingly low ... only 83 of us responded between the Request for Information date of Feb 22, 2007 and July 2007. Very telling. - many of the responses were non-technical comments, although supportive of ARRL's initiative to develop new non-proprietary HF protocols - but he did indicate that some hams did not seem to support ARRL being involved in such an endeavor and instead use existing protocols - there were were widely varying views on whether OFDM or single tone modems were the best choice. - In other words there was not a lot of consensus that came out of the RFI from a technical perspective. There was consensus on any new developments being OS neutral and independent of having a specific hardware platform. Bottom line was that is an interest in new non-proprietary modes, but no specific direction for the actual technical features. He felt that there was a small but growing interest in MIL-STD HF protocols including ALE, but realistically this does not seem to reflect the majority of digital interest on discussion groups or on the air. One thing not mentioned was that MIL-STD-188-110(x) type modes primarily focus on single tone modems with high baud rates that are not legal here in the U.S. HF ham bands (at least not in the RTTY/Data portions), so 39 tone parallel modems would need to be used and some felt OFDM may not be the best choice. In the final analysis, it is fair to say that there was no groundswell of interest, no consensus of specific technology, that came out of the RFI so it may be a dead issue. What continues to happen (and it is logical that it does) is that specific interests by one or more developers causes them to focus on something that they personally like or believe will fulfill a niche. In the last year or so we had NBEMS and FAE400 as the breakthroughs. This year it will likely be WINMOR for e-mail and if it works as well as I think it will, and if others incorporate this technology into other programs that can go far beyond just the e-mail part, it could be the next big thing. 73, Rick, KV9U HFDEC yahoogroup moderator (Hams for Disaster and Emergency Communications) Dave Bernstein wrote: >>>> If I recall correctly, the context for that still-true assertion was a >>>> discussion of what it would take to create new digital modes as effective >>>> as PSK31 with panoramic reception in gaining traction with the amateur >>>> community. Clearly lots of experimentation is required; PSK31 didn't >>>> spring up out of nowhere. While many modes being developed will clearly >>>> never gain broad adoption, the effort may still be worthwhile for the >>>> experience, or to satisfy a niche requirement. >>>> > > >>>> Awhile back, the ARRL announced an effort led by then CTO Paul W4RI to >>>> develope a "new protocol". W4RI has subsequently retired. Does anyone know >>>> whether this "new protocol" effort remains alive, and if so what progress >>>> it is making? >>>> > > 73, > > Dave, AA6YQ > > > 73, > > Dave, AA6YQ > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Announce your digital presence via our Interactive Sked Page at > http://www.obriensweb.com/sked > > > Recommended software: Winwarbler, FLDIGI, DM780, or Multipsk > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.7/1983 - Release Date: 03/04/09 > 07:41:00 > >
