The WinLink folks could easily use the SCAMP busy detector to augment
their PMBOs, eliminating their current propensity to transmit on
already-busy frequencies. This would require
1. adding a soundcard to each PMBO PC, and connecting its audio input
to the PMBO transceiver's audio output
2. modifying the WinLink server software to keep their PTC modem in
the reset state when the SCAMP busy detector reports a buys frequency
Accomplishing step 2 might take a couple of hours, including unit
testing. There would be no impact on WinLink users or their stations.
Given how easy this would be to accomplish and how much good will it
would generate, one has to wonder why the WinLink folks have failed
to act. The SCAMP busy detector has been around for several years.
73,
Dave, AA6YQ
--- In [email protected], kv9u <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> The Winlink 2000 programmer developed the SCAMP mode over two years
ago.
> This mode did not have the weak signal operation that was hoped
for, but
> it did have busy frequency detection. Maybe you missed the
discussion on
> this or are new to the forum?
>
> Busy frequency detection is a reality, it is already invented and I
> believe that it should be MANDATORY for all automatic stations,
whether
> semi or fully automatic. It was interesting that before Rick,
KN6KB,
> invented this detection software, the common belief was that it
could
> not be done.
>
> I included this in my extensive comments to Paul Rinaldo at ARRL
who is
> gathering information on a possible new HF digital protocol. I hope
you,
> and many others, did the same when comments were sent to Paul.
>
> In terms of ARRL NTS nets, they know, and any knowledgeable ham
knows,
> that they do not have exclusive use of any frequency, however, they
> would very much appreciate it if you would allow their net to
operate on
> their QRG, just like any other thousands of nets of all kinds. Most
of
> us can move a little bit to help them out. Remember, that at least
> theoretically, these nets may be useful for traffic handling during
> emergencies. Without the daily practice, of these operators, the
net may
> not perform as well when we really need it. Last year, I was able
to
> route a Health & Welfare message to Alaska, from a tornado victim
in a
> nearby community.
>
> 73,
>
> Rick, KV9U
>
>
> Kurt wrote:
> >
> > Walt and others this is the problem. We are required to check to
> > make sure the freq is not busy and to not interfer with other
> > communications, if we hear them.
> >
> > Yet WinLink is automatic and never checks before it starts
> > transmitting. So who is at fault the operator in qso on a certain
> > freq, or the automatic station that comes on over the qso in
> > progress. Simple logic would say that the automatic station is
> > wrong, but it seems that FCC/ARRL/IARU if not others, do not care
if
> > the automatic station comes on over the stations already in qso.
> >
> > Being this is the digital radio, maybe somewhere down the road a
> > programmer will get a program going that will listen before it
> > transmits, but I guess I will continue to use the computer
between
> > my ears to make sure the freq is not busy. Hey it's an old
computer
> > but still works great.
> >
> > 73
> > Kurt
> > K8YZK
> >
> >
> >
>
