--- In [email protected], "Ferrell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > How much time is everyone spending trying to keep their radios > programmed up to date with all the new repeaters coming on line.
None > Am I beating my head against the wall spending several hours a week > changing and adjusting my program trying to be prepared in case > someone decides to make a call. Yes. Personally, I think its kind of silly to try to do this as there will be more systems than memory slots. I have programmed in the repeaters in my local area, where I might travel regularly, and a few where there are groups of people I suspect I will talk to on a regular basis. Otherwise, I will use callsign routing (either the individual station or repeater) and use one touch to reply to calls. If someone doesn't use individual callsign routing to call me on the gateway network, they need to realize that it may be a while before they get a reply as I might not be ready to program in a callsign by hand (whether individual or repeater). I don't know about the rest of you, but mobile and portable operation is more common for me, and if driving it is unlikely that I will do much to change settings in motion. BTW, I am mobile right now, but KC7PAA is driving (Salt Lake City - Boise - Seattle) - Raised the repeater in Boise with no response, and could not raise either of the Hermiston, OR repeaters, just about to Seattle and will hit a couple of the repeaters there. Random calls are better served by the reflectors. I think eventually we will come up with a system to link two (or more) repeaters using either voice activated menus or DTMF. It is just too impractical for a person to have everything preprogrammed or to do it by hand. Once we have something like Asterisk tied into the system, things like voice recognition/DTMF menus become relatively easy. (Note to Nate: this is the real opportunity, not the linking to Echolink/IRLP/Analog -- and I do think bi-directional patching is a powerful function.) > Please tell me dstar is not dying a slow death. I don't think so, there is so much in the works and activity on air will ebb and flow. The initial "wow" factor drops off for most people, they go into listen mode until the new applications come along. For example, there is a lot interest and activity happening with D-RATS and you would never "hear" it on your radio. > I know of several local hams that have expressed to me how > disappointed they have become and either have already or will be > getting rid of the dstar gear. All I can say is be on the look out at > Lawrenceville for the possibility of some deals. > Sadly, some folks will do this. It really is a shame, but good luck to the bargain hunters. Lawrenceville is a bit far for a Seattle area based ham to attend > 73 > KE4QDC > Ferrell > 73 de K7VE John
