-----Original Message----- From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Christian Crayton Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 9:05 PM To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Subject: [digitalradio] Re: Anti-Digital Hams
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Gourley" <bg...@...> wrote: > > But humans provided the emcom traffic to the machines, and the machines at > the far end of the communication deliver it to humans. Without the humans, > there is no "communication." I agree. What I was referring to are store-and-forward links where HF is used as a internet replacement, instead of a mode in which a human operator relays a message to another human operator. ******************************* Efficient use of resources dictates that we use the mode efficient transport layer and delivery system. Using a repeater to spell the names phonetically of shelter occupants looking for family members in another shelter hardly makes sense, if there are working fax machines and telephone lines. This has nothing to do with the art of radio; it addresses the concepts of common sense and efficient operations. We are not only Amateur Radio Operators, we should be resourceful in our utilization of the tools available. Also, it is hard to relay a multi-part form (IS-213) via voice, when a binary format retains formatting... This is not in the realm of voice operations; sitreps, on the ground intel, real-time info gathering that fills the formatted form are the realm of voice ops. The two can co-exist. WL2K is not a store and forward system like packet networks were in the past. In the WL2K system, the traffic goes from point to central repository (with redundant storage), where it is directly retrieved by the addressee (or their assigned operator). The fear of more efficient transport layers will do more to destroy amateur radio than being resourceful and making use of available infrastructure. We are supposed to think on our feet; not fear technology. ******************************************** > For genuine, this-is-no-drill emcom, we should use the most effective mode > possible. Effective being the balance between speed and required accuracy. Again I agree. However, there is a distinction between this-is-no-drill emcomm, and the other 99.95% of the time that these automated messaging systems are just handling traffic that could be handled on the Internet. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not suggesting that these systems be shut down. I am not against email, Pactor or technology. I am concerned that the people who are creating the HF to Internet links don't really understand Internet security issues to know what they are doing. I am also concerned that these technologies will, if taken to the extreme, do significant damage to the art of radio. My opinions only, other opinions may vary. :) ************************************************************ The other 99.95% of the time is spent making sure the system is a working piece of infrastructure during the .05% of time it is needed. It is a time in which new operators come on line and learn to be a part of the network, where system operators improve their system's effectiveness, where new methods of more efficient operations are tested and perfected, where the outgoing system operators are replaced by newer ones, or more remote areas come on line; which further increases the redundant appeal of the system. This is amateur radio; not Fear Factor. Why should we be so afraid of using newer technology to enhance or value to those we serve? I am primarily a voice operator. I spend time on the air improving my technique, time off the air improving my skills and technical understanding. I am certainly a long way off from understanding everything, and the most important part of that statement is that I understand this limitation. Having said that, I don't include fear of emerging technology as a skill-set that is important to the continuation of the Amateur Radio Service. I also try to use as many of the digital modes as I am able to try. An emergency is no time to discover the inherit weaknesses of handling a served agency's traffic in a manner usable by them; via voice.. Some things just aren't compatible, and the quickest way to get uninvited from a disaster party is to dictate how the hosts require their info to be disseminated. We need to embrace the future, not fear it. It is the only way we will remain relevant. David KD4NUE
