At 08:10 AM 5/5/2010, rOn wrote:
I am new to DSTAR and need some enlightenment.
Other than temporary EMCOMM ops why would anyone want to
connect DSTAR to the internet?
rOn
Hi, Ron,
I'll second, third and fourth what everyone else has said (especially
Debbie, the only one to use the "F" word: Fun), and try to add one extra
perspective.
Amateur Radio does not have, and is not likely to develop anytime soon, its
own VHF/UHF/Microwave long-distance, full time, high-reliability, flexible,
on-demand, wide bandwidth linking system. I'd love for someone to prove me
wrong.
Does Amateur Radio need that? Well, with my HT here in Raleigh, NC, I walk
down the street and talk with hams in Hawaii, California, New York,
Australia, Europe... all crystal clear, with no need to bust a pile up or
urgency to pass the signal report and let the other guy get on to the next
contact. I like it, and so do all the people who put up the repeaters and
connected them, and all the people who use them.
IRLP, Echolink and WIRES offer the same connectivity, but D-STAR usually
sounds better and has some unique features like low-speed data and call
sign routing and signaling.
While a fair criticism of D-STAR and Internet linking in general is that
you can't rely on the Internet in a disaster location (so we need some
short to medium distance RF linking), we need the Internet for the long haul.
I enjoy HF. I like the idea of making a contact using no infrastructure
beyond the two stations involved in the contact. I also enjoy D-STAR. It
adds something that HF doesn't have.
73,
Gary KN4AQ
ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News
Gary Pearce KN4AQ
508 Spencer Crest Ct.
Cary, NC 27513
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
919-380-9944
www.ARVideoNews.com
