Ok, I am game.

 I've had two QSO via ALE400 w/ the same station that's it.

I have an old FT-1000 this is supposed to have a CAT interface but never
checked it out.

If I am unable to scan, I still want to participate to at least make some
progress in realizing the potential for this mode.

I have played around with 141A.  The only thing I could accomplish was
seeing my self heard by other stations via soundings. Never did connect to a
live person.  I am sure there is more to the mode than I realize
but, I personally found the experience to be a complete bore.

We do we begin?

philw de ka1gmn

On Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 7:04 PM, Andy obrien <k3uka...@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> As I read and view all kinds of web sites (including my own) that
> assist digital mode enthusiasts in "spotting" other stations that my
> be active on a particular band and looking for a QSO, I can't help but
> return to the subject of ALE, Automatic Link Establishment. While
> standard ALE's default digital calling mode is not super robust , ALE
> software generally does a good job of detecting a call and pausing a
> scan. While standard ALE's default digital mode is not always
> effective for keyboard QSOs (compared to other modes) it can be very
> effective for achieving a goal of ALE that many seem to have
> forgotten... namely establishing a link and then switching to a mode
> better suited for the current conditions.
>
> Picture this..
>
> 1. instead of going to a website or cluster-type web page to see if
> anyone is looking for a QSO , you call on a designated frequency
> (after listening first!) using ALE and carefully timed/synchronized
> features of ALE software ensure that hundreds of other scanning
> stations ,within range, can hear your call (CQ) . The other
> station's ALE software pauses a multi-band scan the moment it hears
> your call and (if you are in the shack) your station automatically
> answer the call . The responding stations tell you that they have
> good copy and the two of you then switch to PSK31 for an armchair copy
> QSO.
>
> 2. Instead of wondering if your friend P5DX is active tonight and
> going to a spotting network to find out, you place a call to that
> station and the ALE software tries several bands automatically for
> you, using the best band for current conditions based on past
> reception of that friend's callsign. After a few tries, your friend
> is found on 30Ms. You use standard ALE to keyboard for a while and
> then QSY down the band and use CW.
>
> 3. Or perhaps you have a GROUP of friends at varying locations , you
> just wonder if any of the group are active tonight. Using ALE
> software your station calls each of your friends from a pre-programmed
> list. The call is based on pre-establish priorities and call-order.
> Two of your group of six friends turn out to be "QRV" and your ALE
> software find them and links you together. Once linked you switch to
> Olivia 500 and have round table keyboard "QSO"
>
> All of the above is easily achieved using standard ALE (or ALE400) and
> PC-ALE or Multipsk software. It is NOT easily achieved today because
> ALE is still used only by a small group of hams. My estimate is less
> than 50 hams world wide and many of them are not "live in the shack".
> For steps 1-3 above to be achieved and fully realized, we really need
> more hams to use ALE as a live , attended, mode and many more to use
> the ALE scanning methods to find QSOs. Simple beginning steps like
> using ALE software and scanning the bands for 30 minutes while
> checking your email ,or updating your logbook , can could increase
> ALE and enable digital hams to get more use out of it. Calling up a
> "net" of hams friends or calling CQ via ALE every now and then would
> also create more interest.
>
> One positive step would be the creation of groups of hams from this
> mail list that could form regional nets, just to find each other and
> have QSOs when the mood strikes.
>
> So, is this just stupid rambling thoughts ? Cnn ALE be resurrected
> and re-packaged in a manner that it can flourish beyond an emcomm
> option ?
>
> Andy K3UK
> 
>

Reply via email to