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Since it seems a foregone conclusion that we will join all the other countries in eliminating the code requirement, I think we should take the next logical step and eliminate the use of SSB, AM and FM. Only digital modes should now be allowed on all bands (CW, RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR, Packet, PSK31, digital voice, etc.) because clearly the technology is here now, and analog modulation techniques are so antiquated.
So, I am hereby announcing the formation of "No Phone International", which will petition the FCC to eliminate the use of analog phone on the amateur bands.
Just kidding. But just wait. That day is closer than we probably all think.
n6hle
08-20-2003, 03:45 PM
I was releived when I read the "just kidding" part. #But I can honestly say that I don't think the day that SSB, FM and AM will be eliminated will ever come.
I would like to see the day come that the FCC mandates testing for every single mode (and I mean EVERY) used in the amateur service though. #Even if you never intend on using it, you have to pass the test any way. #And then the FCC should implement a test that requires you to build a repeater and put it on the air. #And in order to take these tests you should be required to bring your own homebrew equipment. #
After all all of these proposed tests are just things that hams all across the country do everyday. #So why not require all of us to know all of it, just like the code?
Let the flaming begin
Well, with the technique called "Voice over IP" being used in other telecommunications services, I can see the day coming when you conceivably wouldn't hear a single discernable voice on the air, until you switched in the right protocol to demodulate it. It could all sound like "white noise" to the ear, until it went through the DSP's D/A converters! You don't think so? How about Digital Cell phones, for one small example ? Something to think about, isn't it?
73 from Jim AG3Y
n6hle
08-20-2003, 04:37 PM
But there will always be "old timers" who will use modes like FM or SSB phone. One thing I am learning from ham radio is that no matter how far things advance technologically, there will always be the basics, and there will inevitably be a group of people who will live and die by the basics.
KC5ZQM
08-20-2003, 04:44 PM
Phone will never disappear, and I doubt that code will either.
I've heard comments that voice is an inefficient use of bandwidth when compared to digital modes. #But voice has one advantage over digital - immediacy! #You key up and talk. #Your message goes on out right away. #With digital you have to key it into a 'puter or tap it out on a CW key. #Then it has to be tranlated, copied, displayed, and/or printed at the receiving end. #Of course, 'puters can handle their parts of theis process instanteously, but few people can type as fast as they can talk.
In emergency communications, ops at the "front lines" won't have room or use for the extra equipment needed. #Command posts or Emergency Operations Centers and possibly shelters could use digital modes. #I was a "commo man" in a National Guard infantry unit years ago and that unit had no digital equipment. #Battalion and higher levels used radio teletype. The Army called it RATT, we call it RTTY. #Front line grunts had no business carrying keyboards and such into combat, they need something they can use to make immediate contact with whoever they need to talk to.
Well, Doug, I just got back from seeing the inside of a "set-top" box that translates the signal off a satellite into a digital Television picture. The box is about a foot square by an inch high, and contains more computing power than a whole room full of racks used to have about 15 years ago! No, "grunts" will not have to bring in a room full of heavy stuff and set it up to be able to utilize the latest technology in just a few years. And who knows what the Military is already capable of. They certainly aren't going to tell us how far they have come !
73 for now, Jim AG3Y
EI7JK
08-20-2003, 05:13 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">But there will always be "old timers" who will use modes like FM or SSB phone. #[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I don't consider myself to be an "old timer", so just because I enjoy the modes you mentioned I am now classed as an "OT" http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
Why did you not include CW http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
I hate to tell you, most of the "OT's" seem to be on your side of the pond.
Now, had you said "old man", you wouldn't be reading this.
KC5ZQM
08-20-2003, 06:58 PM
Jim, I know the military has updated their technology. They now carry handhelds about the same size and power as ham HT's, much smaller than the 20+ pound AN/PRC's I used to work with. But the point is, those radios are for voice, even if they use DSP.
M1ACQ
08-20-2003, 07:00 PM
This will probably sound wierd but I actually Like the sound of SSB
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (M1ACQ @ Aug. 19 2003,13:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This will probably sound wierd but I actually Like the sound of SSB[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You probably liked Donald Duck cartoons too, eh?
n6hle
08-21-2003, 01:43 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (EI7JK @ Aug. 20 2003,10:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">But there will always be "old timers" who will use modes like FM or SSB phone. #[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I don't consider myself to be an "old timer", so just because I enjoy the modes you mentioned I am now classed as an "OT" http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
Why did you not include CW http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
I hate to tell you, most of the "OT's" seem to be on your side of the pond.
Now, had you said "old man", you wouldn't be reading this.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You're focusing on the wrong part of the message. The fact is (whether you choose to believe it or not) you, I and everybody else will be an "old timer" eventually. While some of us may move on to newer modes as the become more readily available, not all of us will. Some of us will use the basics.
And the reason I did not mention CW is because when an op starts off as a tech nowadays phone modes are more widely used. There is no special skill you must have, no studying to be done. All you need to know is to talk and how to follow rules. In my eyes, this makes phone one of the most basic modes.
pinguine
08-21-2003, 09:09 PM
I think the meaning of amateur radio is not to build a wall between us (be it a digital wall), we need to share our personalities and this is by using our voices first of all.
I don't think code-nocode is a real issue, ok , we can drop code but we have to introduce something new instead to keep away rudeness, this is the real problem. We might have a surprise seing that some "old timers" won't pass this test.
To resume, voice will stay as long as we will have to talk to express ourselves on a radio vector, be it analog or be it digital. Although considering the actual noise level, digital voice at our ERP capabilities is just stupid. And news: noise vill increase (remember the ol' times when noise on 20m was reading s2...s3? watch your s-meter today on an empty band)
Voice is magic, technology is still weak. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
N8CPA
08-26-2003, 11:53 AM
Every time I set up a public display type station--except for ARES activities--I include at least a straight key for CW.
The passing public will just glance at some one using a microphone--assuming they're looking at CB. They won't even notice someone using a keyboard--assuming that it's some Hi-tech wireless via cell site.
But they rarely fail to get intrigued when they see someone patiently tapping the key or when they hear those beeps coming from a speaker and some guy scribbling out what's being received. They stop, they watch, and they ask questions about what all the operators are doing. And kids love to hear their names spelled out in code!
Voice may be magic but CW is downright captivating!
Steve
K3STX
08-26-2003, 01:26 PM
ZQM,
I'm not sure I buy the "immediacy" argument.
Don't forget there are LOTS of us who turn on their rig, hit the keyer/paddles and "immediately" begin "talking". Listen on 40 m CW sometime, you will hear CW so fast it will make your head spin. Sounds more like the old-fashioned teletype machines.
K6UEY
08-26-2003, 03:27 PM
Paul-K3STX,
Surely you jest,you sir are being a scoundrel and stirring the pot,now tell me if 5 WPM is too hard to learn how are they going to copy 40 cw ?? They would probably tune right by it thinking it was a fast data mode .....HIHI
When us OF's get pushed into the little corner that they may let us have ,they still won't know what we were talking about. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
ENJOY!! The new people are teaching the OF's a lesson we will never forget, # or forgive !!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
AE6IP
08-28-2003, 08:33 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">In emergency communications, ops at the "front lines" won't have room or use for the extra equipment needed. Command posts or Emergency Operations Centers and possibly shelters could use digital modes. I was a "commo man" in a National Guard infantry unit years ago and that unit had no digital equipment. Battalion and higher levels used radio teletype. The Army called it RATT, we call it RTTY. Front line grunts had no business carrying keyboards and such into combat, they need something they can use to make immediate contact with whoever they need to talk to.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Things in the military are, um, different these days. See, for example National Defense Magazine (http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/article.cfm?Id=109) which describes the current 20 ounce field issue intercomradio.
Grunts rarely go into battle without vehicles these days, and the current generation of vehicles have some pretty heavy-duty computing power on board.