Martin, VK2UMJ wrote:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

Martin, VK2UMJ wrote:


"Jock." wrote in message
...


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



I don't understand why cell phones aren't included.

How many points would I accrue from working my nearest cellphone
node which is about 2 km distant?



WAKE UP! There are so many different things you can do on Amateur
Radio, there is room for everyone.

Absolutely, but this isn't one of them.


I fail to see the difference between using an FM repeater that is linked
to another repeater on a different band, which is commonly done, and
using IRLP.... Yet using the repeater is perfectly acceptable?

Umm, do we have FM repeater contests?


Yep..... Well, contests that allow FM repeater contacts anyway...


IRLP is, usually, vastly different than EchoLink.. If stations at both
ends are using radio, then does it really matter how the link between is
established?

That depends. The idea of using Handi-talkies to talk across the world by
IRLP is interesting after a fashion, but in reality not a lot different
than using a phone patch to do the same.



True, but even a phone patch at one stage in history was popular and they
both still use radio to some degree. Maybe not everybody's 'cup of tea',
but still neither is CW, or SSTV, or RTTY, etc..

Certainly. One of the major reasons that I got into Ham radio *was* the
phone patch. One of my other hobbies is off road 4WD'ing. North of my
QTH is a great place for that. Unfortunately, I sometimes get stuck, and
extricating myself can take anywhere from a few minutes to half a day
(and I think you IRLP'ers have some odd ideas on how to have fun!!)
hehehe but I digress. My XYL gets a bit worried when I don't show up for
dinner, and cell phones just don't work that far out in the woods. But I
can patch in with either my handheld or truck radio, and let her know
I'll be late. All this much to the amusement of my local Ham bud's.


Using linked repeaters is fine, some of which use links

outside amateur bands, yet nobody here is suggesting that we put crap on
those operators!

Frankly, although I use FM repeaters of the linked and normal variety,
they are only for utilitarian purposes, and really aren't all that much
"fun"


I agree, and while I would much prefer to run DX on 50MHz SSB, that isn't
always possible so what happens during other times? Do I just switch all
the radio gear off and give up, or resort to using repeaters and the like???

Well, I don't know what your situation is for the lower HF bands. But
remember, my issue isn't with the mode, even though I don't care for it.
I just think things like contests are silly.


Yes, DX contacts via HF are nice, and may be what many consider to be
true amateur radio, but not everyone can get on HF bands and if IRLP
helps increase activity on radio bands then how can it be a bad thing?

It is a dilution of Amateur radio.


Voice was a dilution of Amateur Radio way back in the early days where CW
was all the go, yet here we are removing CW from the entrance requirements.

Well, I can see a difference when most of the transmission is via fiber
rather than the air.


Rather than criticise those using IRLP, shouldn't we just 'understand' that
maybe they use it for a reason and then encourage them to experiment with
other modes??? On the other hand, I know of many long time hams that use HF
often for DX contacts, even using CW, but at other times (e.g. when mobile,
when portable, or when conditions are very poor) they use IRLP to keep in
touch with overseas stations AND encourage newcomers to the hobby to chat
with people outside their city....

Or, will it encoiurage newcomers to simply stay at the lowes level,
because if chatting to people around the world is their goal, then they
have achieved it. As I have said, if that is what floats their boat,
then so be it.

I do, however, agree that a 24/7 contest for a whole 28 days is starting
to get a bit much! 24/7 for 1 or 2 days should be enough, just like most
other amateur contests.

Under no circumstances is it "like" other amateur contests.

This is what is a little bothersome about the whole thing. For me to
participate in an HF contest, (excluding that I have to do this stuff to
get on the air anyhow) I need to erect an antenna system that works fairly
well, I have to hone my receiving skills so that I can pull weak signals,
and to learn general good operating practices.

Now, what do I need to do with IRLP?..........


Erect an an antenna system that works fairly well (depending if you use a
repeater or simplex node), learn general good operating practices, get DTMF
working on your radio!!!!

And let us hope they don't stop there!


The bothersome part is that it seems like too many IRLP'ers and
Echolinker's, just don't "get " that.


I agree EchoLink is just not amateur radio, although I use it sometimes from
inside the house where the XYL wont let me bring my radios!

hehe, my XYL was also pretty critical. I did eventually tell her that
I was thinking about taking up a new hobby in place of amateur radio.
The new hobby was going to bars and chatting with loose "wimmin". I
retrospect, the ham radio didn't seem so bad. Now as long as my antennas
aren't too obvious, she doesn't complain too much.

But again,
rather than criticise and make fun of their chosen mode, wouldn't we be much
better off encouraging the use of other modes????

Oh, heck, when you put it *that* way........ 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -