4 reasons why we need more digital voice modes (not fewer) Working for a ham radio dealer, I get to hear a lot of perspectives on a lot of topics. By far, one of the strangest concerns I have heard voiced is that the major radio manufacturers cant agree on a standard protocol for digital voice. With Yaesus introduction of System Fusion a few months ago, some are concerned that these disparate systems will somehow compromise the effectiveness of ham radio. This attitude may be the minority opinion, but I believe its worth pointing out a few reasons why more digital modes are better than fewer: 1) For over a century, ham radio has been the hobby for innovators in electronics and communications. But for all of the technologies pioneered by hams, including those in the early digital days like packet, PSK31, and even APRS, we are sadly behind the times on innovating new digital modes and new uses for them. If we hope to one day lead the way again to new and exciting technologies for the industry, we should be fostering an environment of creativity and innovation, not letting a few vocal critics hold us back from change. 2) The RF spectrum we occupy is becoming increasingly valuable real estate every year, and traditional analog FM on VHF and UHF may not be around indefinitely. Just in the last 10 years, neighboring radio services (like land mobile) have had to squeeze in an ever-growing number of users with a fraction of the bandwidth. As usual, necessity drove innovation to make this possible with things like new trunking or digital protocols and narrower bandwidth hardware. Meanwhile, were enjoying National Park status on the ham bands, but only so long as the regulators see fit to allow it. If we hope to keep our wide open spaces much longer, continuing to pioneer the innovations related to efficient use of the spectrum certainly makes it easier to justify the existence of the ham radio service. 3) Having more digital voice modes doesnt necessarily mean incompatibility. For example, with System Fusion, the latest development in the digital voice market, its been very interesting to see how much effort Yaesu has gone through to facilitate analog and digital in a single system. As an “insider” in the industry, I can also say were currently seeing significant investments in infrastructure to support several digital modes simultaneously, including System Fusion, P25, DRM, and D-STAR. And the components already exist that would allow the major manufacturers (or accessory manufacturers like DV Dongle or DV MEGA) to make a single radio capable of communicating on any of those four systems, and more. I know its only a matter of time (and consumer demand) before we see interoperable radios hit the market. 4) Having more modes means more fun. Its interesting to see how many of our customers that have a standing order for any new D-STAR product are also making a reservations for System Fusion radios. Its not a Ford/Chevy rivalry for them; its just another mode to experiment with, another tool in the toolbox. From where I sit, its awesome and energizing to see these guys having so much fun in this hobby of ours by taking advantage of everything it has to offer. What do you think, friends? Are you afraid your analog VHF radio will become obsolete? Or do you agree that innovation is an important facet of our hobby? Carl Jordan, KJ4RYP GigaParts
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:08:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015