HFLINK Comments to ARRL on New Digi Protocols =BACKGROUND= On 22 Feb 2007, the ARRL announced that it seeked comments from amateurs concerning development of an open-source, non-proprietary, data communications protocol suitable for use by radio amateurs over HF fading paths.
On 14 May 2007, HFLINK respectfully submitted comments in response to ARRL's announcement. HFLINK is an international resource for radio operators, for High Speed and Robust HF Digital Communications, ALE Automatic Link Establishment, and Ionospheric Propagation, with a membership of 1200, including more than 900 licensed radio operators in the Amateur Radio Service of USA. http://HFLINK.COM <http://hflink.com> Read the complete document on the web: <http://www.hflink.com/arrl/> http://www.hflink.com/arrl/ =OVERVIEW= HFLINK advised ARRL that it is neither necessary to re-invent the HF data wheel for digital communications protocol, nor desirable to invent a completely new ham-only standard digital data protocol built from the ground up, especially when a suite of existing USA and global HF standards can be leveraged to provide an excellent working protocol for the ham community. HFLINK advised ARRL that existing FED, MIL, and STANAG HF data communications standards provide a wonderful basis for expansion and development in amateur radio service. Hams can be the beneficiary to the vast research and development of HF data communications that has been expended in the commercial and government sector. HFLINK recommends use of PSK and MFSK for data communications. Recent advanced research and development in the HF industry arena for commercial and governmental applications has shown that PSK and MFSK with single tone physical layers tend to excel in the area of ARQ data HF communications with common SSB transceivers... while OFDM based physical layers with FEC tend to excel in the area of HF Digital Voice applications. Amateur operators in USA and internationally are already using some of the HF data formats recommended. ARRL is further encouraged to support the development of a new PC-based software program implementing STANAG 5066 (open 5066) protocol, a modem-neutral HFIP platform. HFLINK advised ARRL that -141 ALE is completely OS neutral, and is appropriate to form the access layer for a data protocol suite. 141 ALE is US federal standard, published and free for hams to use worldwide. Over the past 5 years, 141 ALE has become the defacto universal global standard for HF connectivity for voice and/or data communications. HFLINK further proposed that ARRL set an encouraging example for the ham community by installing a -141 ALE HF station at W1AW and immediately begin transmitting QST announcement bulletins in the 8FSK format. Such a 141 ALE station at W1AW is also a perfect flagship platform for implementation of communication protocols being developed. Read the complete document on the web with attachments, tables, research, and information <http://www.hflink.com/arrl/> : http://www.hflink.com/arrl/ Regards, Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA HFLINK Founder websites: ALE Automatic Link Establishment <http://hflink.com/automaticlinkestablishment.html> HFLINK.COM <http://hflink.com/>
