Hi Andy, The FCC rules don't actually require changing WRT ALE other than to satisfy those that want to see things spelled out in black and white specifically approving or disapproving each and everyone little thing. This is not the intent of the FCC to constantly be updating the rules to specify all new things that come along in the world of technologies and practices. Instead they have written the rules to broadly cover everything as much as possible.
As an ARRL Official Observer station, my initial interpretation of the FCC rules WRT full ALE operations where questionable, even though I code the ALE software beginning with my efforts in support of MARS-ALE and now PC-ALE as well. You may even recall my exchanges with Bonnie on the subject via this forum, to the point where she just wanted to agree to disagree. I have never written an OO notice regarding any use of ALE and no other ARRL OO has even done so either, the reason being that the ARRL OO program and the FCC have no issues with Amateur Radio ALE operations, once that was clear to my satisfaction I took a much more active role in Amateur Radio ALE in addition to my MARS focus. So Rick can compile his list of questions and so can anyone else, however ALE is not new, it has been around on the Amateur Radio bands for over 10 years now, and written about in QST and QEX and the ARRL has a web page ( http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/ale.html ) on the subject and all things 8FSK ALE is just fine with the FCC. That is not the case with all things MIL-STD-188-110x modem related (which many incorrectly assume is also ALE) under the present rules however, that modem and FS-1052 found in PC-ALE or RFSMxxxx etc. is not legal for non image data transmissions As I stated in my earlier message, due to all of its benefits and more ALE options, ALE in my opinion will become more common in ARS use, especially for ECOM, its application will leave that realm of the sophisticated user in the know and enter the realm of everyone having access to it if they are interested in it, PC-ALE and MultiPSK users of ALE are increasing daily, its legal, its an efficient propagation tool, its a wonderful BBS tool, after the ALE link any protocol can be used for follow on communications, its easy to use and its fun to use, its also on the Sound Device Modem which is the modem of choice for the ARS. Anyhow, there are 2897 members of this forum of your Andy and I have challenge for everyone with a sound card interface, download the latest PC-ALE 1.062H Interim build, install and configure it and use it during the coming "ALE On The Air Week, October 5 - 15" starting this weekend. I will even be coming out from behind the C++ coding of the ALE tools to participate. Those not already configured had better get started as the clock is ticking, the more stations on the air with ALE the better it will be to stress test the Amateur Bands for those so called ALE negative effects, however I warn everyone, you may just get hooked on ALE! As this is a worldwide event, for those that love DXing, if you think Packet Cluster Spotting works, wait until you see real time DX station Soundings spotting where the given band you are Scanning is starting to open or dying, in near-real time, no Spotting Network or Propagation Tool can beat, one or more DX ALE Sounding stations in each country of the world depending on geographic area of the country would make for a fantastic world wide DXing tool, ALE is actually the most versatile HF communications tool yet devised and its just getting better and as Bonnie stated earlier newer ALE technology and techniques enable even higher efficiency levels, using very short bursts, and GPS synchronization... while maintaining backward compatibility with the regular 2G ALE (141) that is the current defacto international standard. I look forward to working stations this weekend, I will be running MARS-ALE and accepting AMD, DTM, DBM traffic ( my MIL-STD-188-110 modem will be off. My KAM TNC will be enabled under MARS-ALE in PACTOR I as default, anyone who connects can send an AMD Orderwire message to switch it to GTOR and then initiate a GTOR link instead if they like using the following 12 character AMD message: >>CMD GTOR<< If you want to switch to another protocol after the ALE link, be glad to hit the release RESOURCES button ( frees Sound Card, CAT RS232 port and maintains ALE link) to change over to any common Amateur Radio Sound Card protocol. Those using PC-ALE can do as well and depending on their interfacing for PACTOR or GTOR etc. may also need to hit the RESOURCES button for radio PTT access using a 3rd party tool for the control of their TNC/Modem. See you all in the "ALE OTAW". /s/ Steve, N2CKH At 09:13 PM 10/2/2007, you wrote: >Seeing how useful PC-ALE is, I have to imagine a time when that is how >most HF communication is attempted. If it requires brief "soundings" >that are considered "unattended", then I say change the rules and >allow brief 10-20 second transmissions that are unattended in some >portions of the bands. It sure beats some of aimless wandering I have >been doing with other calling methods.
