At 06:12 AM 5/22/2009, you wrote: >Since the rptDir group is moderated, this response may not get posted, >so I am crossposting this response to the message at >http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/rtpDir/message/1991 >-------------------------------------------- > >This is an incredibly bad idea:
Agree. While I personally don't agree with some decisions Robin has made, I am strongly opposed to this form of what amounts to persecution by people who don't like the way he operates. >1) The FCC regulates "on air" amateur radio activities, not "private >Internet networks" that interconnect repeaters. Agreed, this has already been covered over the years with Echolink PC users, etc. >2) If the FCC were to make a ruling, you might get results you didn't >expect like maybe the FCC would rule that you can't interconnect using >the Internet, which might include killing IRLP and Echolink. This is >a new administration, we don't know their attitude towards amateur >radio. This would pretty much knock the US off VoIP/D-STAR/other Internet connected RF networks, if something this bad came to pass. It would certainly set things back globally many years, given that the US is a major participant in these systems. Another unintended consequence of this and the legal actions suggested is that Robin may simply decide that hams are just too much hassle, and take his bat and ball and go home. We would all lose from this, no DPlus, no (working) Dongles, until someone brave (or silly) enough came along to fill the void left behind. Any disagreements should be handled by discussion and negotiation, not legal threats. >3) The D-STAR network is a cooperative effort. Robin's DPLUS is >actually not even part of the D-STAR protocols (or network) but rather >an application on top of the US Trust Server authentication network. I >agree he has been heavy handed on his "security" enhancements, but you >should be taking this up with him directly, as well as the US Trust >Server management team, and possibly the D-STAR International >Coordination Council. Agree, issues are best dealt with through Robin himself, or others high up in the D-STAR hierarchy. >1) First appeal to Robin to clear your information for re-entry >through his security "enhancements" Always the correct first step - approach the person directly and try and resolve things. >2) Notify the US Trust Server team of your concerns. >([email protected] >) Agree. >3) Appeal to the larger community with rational, well reasoned and >stated discussion through discussion groups and letters to the editors >of major amateur publications. Again, agree. Such discussion needs to be rational and put forward your argument in a clear, concise manner. I also sometimes back this up with a more "fixed" medium such as a blog. An example (D-STAR relevant, as it turns out) is at http://vk3jed.vkradio.com . >4) Work with the D-STAR ICC (http://www.d-star-icc.org to establish >standards that insure access to the network for anyone willing to >follow the rules and procedures. (Read the article in this >newsletter http://www.dstarinfo.com/Newsletter/default.html > by N5MIJ) Another good idea. The ICC needs to get itself more in the minds of hams as well. :) 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com
