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#11
March 17th 07, 08:37 PM
posted to rec.radio.amateur.moderated
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Extension of PSK segment
"Steve Bonine" wrote in message ... wrote: On Mar 17, 2:19�am, "Dee Flint" wrote: [snip] On the pro side, it really makes a lot of sense in theory. If we hams could offer this kind of capability to emergency agencies, it would provide a much-needed communications capability in times of disaster. But it would need to be stand-alone and not depend upon repeaters that might be out of service, which to me implies HF. On the con side, a real disaster is the worst possible scenario for trying to get this technology to work reliably. You're potentially in a high-noise low-signal poor-antenna situation. The equipment required is fairly complex, and you need a fair amount of technical knowledge to set it up. When I build a mental image of someone at a shelter trying to set up this gear, it's hard for me to see success. Finally there's the issue of what data gets sent; some of it probably is not appropriate for transmission using amateur radio. Another thing to keep in mind that as our infrastructure becomes stronger, hams will only really be needed in the absolutely worst disasters. Not only do you have the bad signal to noise ratio and poor antennas, you may be power limited. People remark on the low power capabilities of PSK31 for example but they are only looking at transmit power. You really need to look at power consumption. That means adding in the computer/monitor combo. One might actually be better off with voice. Second, there are plenty of times in an ordinary QSO when it would be good to be able to send a picture, station description, article, a sound clip, etc. directly by radio, and have it in digital format at the other end. In the past, such modes as SSTV have gained limited acceptance because they required lots of extra apparatus, but with the widespread acceptance of PCs today the big limitation is software, not hardware. This one I find intriguing. I do think that if the capability existed, and did not require purchase of hardware in addition to a PC, that it would be interesting to enough hams to create a critical mass. It provides an alternative playground for hams who prefer to experiment using the keyboard of their PC rather than their soldering iron. 73, Steve KB9X I agree that the fun of it is the most probable driver. Yet SSTV has not grown as rapidly as one might expect when it became possible to do it all with one's computer. Dee, N8UZE |
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