With any new mode or system, I tend to factor it with a view toward public service. But that does not mean it should not be used for what the majority of hams use day to day. Anything you are familiar with and use regularly will have much more value than something that is only used infrequently.
Over the years, we went from mostly individual mode programs to multi-imode programs which kept adding new technology. At one time there was primarily one freeware program that did this the best and of course that was Multipsk. That is because Patrick developed a number of the modes himself and incorporated many modes under one "roof." But they are only available on his program. If you want rudimentary rig control beyond PTT, (frequency, mode) you must run a program such as DXLab Commander. If you want a high end logging program you may want to run DXLab DXKeeper. I admit that it makes Multipsk fairly complicated to set up for many users. And most hams consider the interface to be very overwhelming and look toward alternatives. Currently, the most popular integrated multipurpose program is Ham Radio Deluxe/Digital Master 780. It is an incredibly sophisticated and has powerful integration with an imminently to be released improved logging system in addition to satellites and total rig control that no other freeware program can even slightly match. Needless to say, if a particular mode is not available in HRD/DM780, it will be difficult to compete with modes specific to one software. New modes have to have some exceptionally compelling new value or they may not succeed. Fldigi is an alternative program that is very clean, organized, and I actually prefer the most in terms of the user interface. It has its own rig control, but nothing like HRD. It has the advantage that it is being used as a central program to support NBEMS with the flarq program, and also PSKmail with its program. At the same time, this also makes it more complicated too, but more flexible. Similar to Multipsk, there are bridge programs that allow you to use high end logging programs such as DXLab DXKeeper as your central database. This is mandatory if you wish to log non digital contacts (SSB). Otherwise, fldigi's built-in log would probably be good enough for many of us. For general contacts you really want to choose one digital program if at all possible since switching between programs can be very difficult and inefficient due to various commands, icons, etc. being totally different in appearance and location. None are necessarily better than another, but you do need to get used to them. After a lot of comparisons, especially on faster machines (which you need particularly for HRD/DM780), I don't find much decoding difference as I once thought I did on a lesser computer. Winlink 2000, even with a sound card design, only handles e-mail at this point. That is something that might be useful for public service, but on a very small scale compared to point to point communications that is typically used to route local and regional traffic. 73, Rick, KV9U Moderator, HFDEC (Hams for Disaster and Emergency Communications) yahoogroup Note: this group was formed to take discussion of public service off of the digitalradio group due to complaints of too much discussion of public service issues on digitalradio, HI. John Bradley wrote: > > Andy wrote: > > “. I still think that a better option would > > be the increased development of NBEMS PSK and MFSK with ARQ as > > implemented in FLDIGI. While perhaps not as robust as ALE 400 FAE , > > it is far more likely to be used by hams if there is more publicity > > about NBEMS.” > > I always look at these modes with a view of using them for emcomm > traffic, and in doing so they have to be able to be used by > inexperienced hams who > > might be on the second shift… operators only. The software has to be > “bomb proof” and not require any extensive computer knowledge to run it. > > ALE400 is not the best mode for this, not because it is a poor mode, > but because the user interface is very difficult to use and has turned > off many potential operators. That said, Patrick likes the user > interface the way it is, so it will likely stay that way. As a result > , ALE400 and the other modes on multipsk will never be used by the > mainstream ham community and cannot in good conscience be recommended > for emcomm. Those modes are great too use if one has the patience to > overcome in user interface. > > MFSK ARQ would have possibilities, but I think the standard for emcomm > will remain winlink/winmor/paclink for now > > John > > VE5MU > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Announce your digital presence via our Interactive Sked Pages at http://www.obriensweb.com/sked Recommended digital mode software: Winwarbler, FLDIGI, DM780, or Multipsk Logging Software: DXKeeper or Ham Radio Deluxe. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
