And no "burns" received. ;-) Like I said in my first post - I usually am *very* open to newer technologies... in fact, I'm a big user/proponent of the digital modes (especially PSK31) on HF. You can usually find me on 20 or 30 PSK - when I can find the time. I just think this one (digitized voice) was either not thought-through properly prior to deployment, or was ram-rodded down some people's throats. Kinda like, "Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!!"
In all reality Steve, I do certainly hope they overcome some of the issues I see daily on my public safety agency's network with what I refer to as digital artifacts - the "squeek-squawk-fart" lost voice thing I referred to. I see it MUCH more on the Motorola systems than I do on the EDACS systems - and I choke to say this, because I've been a *big* Motorola fan for many years. I haven't personally played around with any of the D-Star systems/radios... yet. Who knows, maybe 10 years from now we'll be calling D-Star "old technology" too. Yep - old habits die hard. Hehehehe 73 de Mark - N9WYS -----Original Message----- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Steve S. Bosshard (NU5D) No flames here, Mark, Maybe we should have stuck with straight keys - those bugs might obscure transmissions - maybe a 10 wpm speed limit. But no, folks added microphones and heising coils. Next thing the cans went to the sideline and there were loudspeakers, then Central Electronics with the multiphase exciter, and here comes sideband and warbulators....2M and 6M AM gave way to fm - point being this should be progress - just as digital has surpassed almost every analog strong hold. Your telephone network has used PCM digital mux since the days of N Carrier went away - remember LD calls with cross talk in the back ground - gone. Digitized voice is in its infancy in ham radio, but I do believe with continued development it will continue to gain acceptance. I am not so big on critical traffic on ham radio - that is what public safety networks are for. We as hams provide comms for events like marathons, parades, etc, and during disasters, augment failed and downed public systems. Critical traffic is not intended to be hams mainstay. - kind of off topic for repeater builders, though. As for serviceability I have been a bench and field tech since 1972, when selenium rectifiers stunk, and tuned lines were king. We could actually repair radios then. Today, unless you have hot air soldering / desoldering stations and a microscope, I defy the average tech to get into board level repair - has nothing to do with digital, or smarts, or education and everything to do with automated manufacture and unbelievable reliability. It was unusual to see a tube radio in a butane truck go 6 months without some kind of failure. Now it's unusual for a modern radio not to outlast several butane trucks - things have changed. Our technology has changed too - the diddle stick is replaced with digital pots and firmware upgrades - flash new data and go. The really sad thing is my profession is also fast disappearing - 2 Way Radio Shops are turning into dinosaurs - we still change mics and volume controls and do minor repairs - but most major fixes go to a depot because who buys several thousand $$$ in custom repair and testing fixtures to change a 128 pin IC that cost $20 and fails in 3 out of every 500 radios in the first 2 years ??? So, no flames my friend - I too don't like all the change taking place but like a wise friend once said "a bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to turn." 73, Steve NU5D n9wys wrote: > Gentle people, > > Although I'm usually very open to newer technology, this digital (or better > said, "digitized") voice thing has me very concerned. As a public safety > worker, I shudder to think that maybe some day I might need assistance and > call for back-up, only to have my meaning misunderstood because a few > > As ham radio operators, one of our missions is to pass critical traffic... > > > Now in regard to the testing/repairing these D-Star systems... I didn't > become a ham until later in life, although I've always had an interest in > radio. But since I have, I continue to strive to be more than just an > "appliance operator"... I need to be able to understand how it works, and > if within my means, troubleshoot and/or repair it. Based on the earlier > statement that the only way to test/repair these stations is to "box and > ship" it back to the manufacturer, I feel we as Amateurs are taking a huge > step backward, both for ourselves and for our hobby. > > > 73 de Mark - N9WYS > Yahoo! Groups Links
