2023-08-04 — Amateur Radio in Geosynchronous Orbit, Resurrected Heathkit Still Alive, Amateur Radio Used to Have Two Organizations Representing Data Operating
Bring back the code requirement for HF and suddenly we'll see satellites, repeater networks and data gain interest again (sarcasm).
However I think most hams are shepherded into HF by well meaning elmers. And the ARRL's focus on radiosport doesn't help the world above 50 MHz either. I understand, it appeals to our competitive nature to want a lot of log entries, and VHF doesn't fill up the book the same way a good weekend contest can.
Two things that would really help out would be a "network stack" approach to data modes and radios in general. Break out the low level stuff, modulation and applications. That way if someone comes up with a great modulator they don't need to worry about the rig control or application GUI. It would lend itself to network linking too, much like how web browsers don't care if they're pulling data from Ethernet, WiFi or Cellular... and the route to get from here to there might change from copper to coax to fiber and back again.
But someone needs to actually do it. So I'm volunteering. Let me know if you're interested in helping out. I'm on Mastodon @ReadyKilowatt@noagendasocial.com and on Discord as readykilowatt. Let's see where this goes.
What about convincing Elon Musk to join the Amateur Radio fraternity? Surely he could make this happen. -de NI0K
Bring back the code requirement for HF and suddenly we'll see satellites, repeater networks and data gain interest again (sarcasm).
However I think most hams are shepherded into HF by well meaning elmers. And the ARRL's focus on radiosport doesn't help the world above 50 MHz either. I understand, it appeals to our competitive nature to want a lot of log entries, and VHF doesn't fill up the book the same way a good weekend contest can.
Two things that would really help out would be a "network stack" approach to data modes and radios in general. Break out the low level stuff, modulation and applications. That way if someone comes up with a great modulator they don't need to worry about the rig control or application GUI. It would lend itself to network linking too, much like how web browsers don't care if they're pulling data from Ethernet, WiFi or Cellular... and the route to get from here to there might change from copper to coax to fiber and back again.
But someone needs to actually do it. So I'm volunteering. Let me know if you're interested in helping out. I'm on Mastodon @ReadyKilowatt@noagendasocial.com and on Discord as readykilowatt. Let's see where this goes.
K0JEG.