> "Karl F. Larsen" wrote:
> >
> > Ham Packet Radio is Dead
> >
> > Karl Larsen K5DI
> >
> > February 14, 1999
> >
I'm signed up for a weekend certification for April with the local ham
group only for the purpose of packet-radio. There's at least four others
from my linux users group for the same reason. I want to use and
understand packet-radio for the same reason I use Linux rather than a
commercial OS. I want to have a foundation of "technology" that in the
end I have control over. The only reliance one has in packet-radio is
there are others using packet-radio...and if there isn't then it's
useless. This is not true with "the internet". Also, packet-radio
creates a community that is much more personal as does the linux
community. I would rather sacrifice the "newer" technology over a little
bit of my freedom. Now.. I'm not a freedom fighter or any
end-of-the-world kind of person but I am realistic. Realistic in the
sense that governments can change laws and companies can force money out
of me from technology dependencies. And if I have a choice to have a
different way why would I turn it down... I don't have to use it
everyday but at least I should be able to switch when needed.
Also, I assume your from the United States or a familiar wealthy country
otherwise I don't believe you would have written your message. My
spouses family is from Bolivia and that's what originally started this
little adventure in packet-radio. Her cousin and I were drunk one night
and he started talking about the conditions there in regards to
technology. He happen to mention that ham radio use was everywhere. A
basic part of the family home like a tv is to us. He also mentioned that
the number one problem for third world countries is that there's little
or no documentation about births or deaths. (Some world organization did
the study) How do you allocate money and resources to people if you
don't have records of them. My bright idea was to use packet-radio.
They'll never be able to build a telephone system or transportation
system in 10 or even twenty years that could solve this problem. Packet
radio could do it today! (In my opinion at least) How many other
countries could benefit from packet radio today rather than waiting for
technology to drop enough in price for them to implement.
Corel Netwinder (when priced at $500 retail..soon)**check out the low
power needs of it**
ham radio setup
portable/low/green(solar,wind..you get the idea) cost generator system
There's a ton of uses for packet radio still..I would venture to ask of
you if your reasons are simply dead. And then if your wanting to
contribute to others, drive for creative solutions, and protection of
freedom dead as well. Can you help to fix the bandwidth problem of
packet?
Just want to spark ideas.. no intention of insulting. And yes, I still
no practical knowledge of packet and ham except of what I've read and
dreamed of. Good luck to you though.
Adam Cody
Admirer of all packet radio users.
