--- In [email protected], John Hays <j...@...> wrote: > > > On May 5, 2010, at 4:49 PM, milkman wrote: > > > I'm new to this group and would like to start off first saying Hello > > to everyone here. Now what I don't understand is this. It seems to > > me that D-Star could just be a huge money pit at this time. As I > > look around my state we have 4 D-Star repeaters total. Out of over > > 230 repeaters. And none of the D-Star work. What I'd like to know > > is. If there are 660,000 Ham in the US. And less than 3000 on D- > > Star. How long is it before the other 663,000 catch on to D-Star. > > And is it worth the effort? > > > > Hi, back at you. Welcome to the group. Do you have a callsign and name? > > Every new mode/technology has a startup. A few pioneers to start it > out. One can choose to be a pioneer and learn by doing the research > and experimentation. If one just wants a tried and true system, they > can use cellphones or wireline. > > > And wait for this format get up and running? > > > It is up and running 24x7x365 and growing as people discover its > capabilities. The last 10-18 months has seen a marked increase in > home brew work with node adapters, sound card GMSK, new software, and > other components. > > > And if D-Star is so great. why hasn't Kenwood & Yaesu joined in? > > > Egos. (BTW, Kenwood does sell D-STAR in Japan, albeit a rebadged Icom > radio.) > > > Because just reading post in this group. And looking at our D-Star > > repeaters in MD. Just makes me wonder if I could be throwing good > > money after bad? > > > A decision only you can make. It would help if the Maryland > repeater(s) were on the gateway network -- maybe you could contact > them and see what their plans are, or even help them get there? > > > And anything that seems to divide the Hams can't be good. Can it? > > > > > Let's see: > > Spark vs CW > AM vs SSB > HF Packet vs CW/RTTY/... > PSK31 vs CW/RTTY/... > SSTV vs SSB > ATV vs Everyone > AM vs FM on VHF > Contests vs. Nets and Ragchewers > ... > > Hams in general seem to be a pretty independent and passionate crowd, > that leads to frictions sometimes and more often than not forgetting > first and foremost this is a hobby. > > > > > > > John D. Hays > Amateur Radio Station K7VE > PO Box 1223 > Edmonds, WA 98020-1223 VOIP/SIP: j...@... > Phone: 206-801-0820 > 801-790-0950 > Email: j...@... > Thanks John, Like I said I want to know what others think. So much to learn.
Israel D. Asa W1ASA
