There are a few of us K/VE stations which use both ALE400 and 141A for chats. They are both great modes (multiPSK version)
and fun to use. So far I have not found any useful function for PC-ALE , but am looking forward to giving MARS-ALE a shot. John VE5MU From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Phil Williams Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 8:09 PM To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Getting serious about ALE for non-encomm digital hamming 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
