The problem is that if there are not enough of these radios (if built) deployed world wide, the chance of one being in an impoverished country and usable are quite small. At the end of the day in a dire emergency CW, possibly AM and SSB are the only dependable modes. In places where Hams are likely to be equipped for more sophisticated modes, there is other infrastructure such as cell phones, uplinks, hardened fiber, etc that are all more accessible to the masses. A disaster that would take out all that infrastructure would in all likelihood leave Hams with minimal capabilities as well. I truly believe it will be back to the very basics. DHS seems to feel the same way based on the money being spent on deployable HF SSB systems.
Toby Burnett wrote: > Just a though, I am with you on the portable radio psk/rtty built in, that > would be fantastic. Say a little FT-817 or the 897 etc with a fold out > qwerty keyboard and display. Surely it wouldn't be hard to implement. I > think there are now software out for psk on a PDA which is about as compact > as you are going to get. > > > > -------Original Message------- > > > > From: expeditionradio > > Date: 14/01/2010 14:48:45 > > To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com > > Subject: [digitalradio] portable HF digital in the radio Re: Haiti a test > for emcomms > > > > > > > > > > >> Russell Blair (NC5O) wrote: >> > > >> ALE and Winmor and software for a PC, and power >> > > >> to run all this. but the phone nets maybe slow >> > > >> but all you need is a radio. >> > > > > Hi Russell, > > > > ALE does not need a computer for sending email or > > calling other stations. There are many radios with > > built in ALE. They were expensive, but the price has > > recently come way down on some of them. > > > > It just works, it is part of the radio's function, > > and you are not at the mercy of your flimsy laptop > > connections, or limited weight and bulk when traveling > > to a disaster zone. The limitations of small airplanes, > > helicopters, or boats could force you to decide > > whether you will bring water/food or a laptop and > > the other radio stuff. > > > > It is sad that not many ham radio companies have produced > > portable HF radios with built in PSK31 or RTTY keypad > > interfaces. Such a simple thing to do, but they "just > > don't get it". > > > > Only a few VHF/UHF HTs even have APRS built in. Such a shame. > > > > 73 Bonnie KQ6XA > > > > > > > > >
