I'm reading up on ALE (the 8FSK mode used for automatic link establishment). I notice that a few hams play with it, and the military apparently also uses it. What other radio services (if any) commonly use ALE for communications? (I'm bracing for all the liquor jokes now...)
Nobody but http://hflink.com/automaticlinkestablishment/ a group of goobers mostly out west led by Bonnie Crystal and her "Technology Jail" rant. Good luck with that sir!
Bonnie KQ6XA, who is or was very active on eHam, would be the best person to ask that question of. Also check out her "HFLINK" group, which heavily promotes the mode. I know some of the MARS services use or used ALE in some form, but I don't know the details. Bonnie can be... intense. She does not suffer fools quietly, and if she thinks your interest don't align with hers, well, like I said, she can be... intense. That said, if anyone would know the initial answers to your queries, she would.
Ron is right on both points....tread lightly Other than that it's a niche mode that, for whatever reason, never really took off.