Mike Coslo wrote:
Simon VK3XEM wrote:

Walt Davidson wrote:

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 18:31:04 +1100, Simon VK3XEM
wrote:


1. IRLP is a popular way of communications on Amateur Radio.




IRLP has as much to do with Amateur Radio as smoke signals or
semaphore.

The only difference is, communication by smoke signals or semaphore
would be a whole lot more challenging and satisfying than IRLP.

73 de G3NYY



WAKE UP! You *MUST* use your radio, the person at the other end
*MUST* use their radio. Last time I checked that was Amateur Radio.


Here is what the difference is.


There is very little difference between IRLP and people using the
internet for making telephone calls.

If a person made a gateway for IRLP using FRS radios, it would be
the same thing. For CB radio, same thing.

There are voice chat rooms for people on the internet already. They
are probably more reliable than IRLP. THey cut out the weak link - the
radio.

The whole setup eliminates every interest and challenge of Amateur
radio, except for the talking. There is as much technical acumen needed
for me to talk around the world using IRLP as there is for me to pick up
the telephone.

Like I said before there are *MANY* parts to our hobby, I don't knock
what you do in Amateur Radio, so leave people alone that like IRLP.


Um, no thanks. Seriously, if you want to do IRLP, then have at it.
But if you do silly things like have contests, then I think I'll voice
my opinion if ya don't mind.

Without new innovations in Amateur Radio we will not get new people
into the hobby. If we don't get new people into the hobby then
Amateur Radio will die a natural death and then we will have to find
another hobby!


And here is the real kick. Do you actually *think* that IRLP is some
kind of "innovation"? It is the internet equivalent of a phone patch.
Like I say, if that is your think, then fine. But to actually have a
contest for such things is silly.

Of course, last time I checked, there was no law against being
silly! 8^)



- Mike KB3EIA -

Up until now I haven't made comment on the contest, that is probably
because I have no real interest at present for contesting, although that
does change from time to time.

I suppose a month long contest is a long time, although I would have
thought that being spread over a large network such as IRLP it wouldn't
have really created a great deal of traffic on any given node.

Besides, how many operators are going to be contesting all month? Most
I would expect will just jump on in their spare time, just as they would
for normal operating.


--
The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.

73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
http://www.aca.gov.au/pls/radcom/cli...IENT_NO=157452
VoIP http://www.TALKonIP.com.au/