Keeping in mind that I'm a newbie at all this, I have a question that might seem a bit silly.
I've been reading threads about DStar and other similar digital modes and had to use google to see what's going on and how this stuff works.
I spent a month learning how to decode the various digital modes on HF frequencies. Learning how to recognize PSK31, used software to decode CW, and about a dozen other modes that all reminded me of my days with a 2400 baud modem and a dial up connection to my prodigy account. I found the data transfer modes fascinating and spent quite a few hours listening and decoding to learn the in's and out's of it all. I decided that using the PSK (and other) digital modes could be really useful.. that is, if the internet or my phone ever stopped working.
I got into the Ham radios because I wanted a standalone communications capability.. The ability to talk to the outside world (both local and long distance), that didn't depend on any infrastructure except my own. In fact, I thought that was what ham radio was all about.
Along comes these other digital modes like DStar that inevitably require a repeater and an internet connection.
So my next thought is why? Why would someone spend the money on an expensive ham radio that requires 3rd party infrastructure when you can just pick up your smart phone and do the same thing (only better) at a fraction of the price?
Do I have a misunderstanding? Am I missing something?
Seems to me, and I hope I'm mistaken, that they're slowly morphing radios into smart phones. If I find an iHam at the apple store, I'm going to be disappointed.
I've been reading threads about DStar and other similar digital modes and had to use google to see what's going on and how this stuff works.
I spent a month learning how to decode the various digital modes on HF frequencies. Learning how to recognize PSK31, used software to decode CW, and about a dozen other modes that all reminded me of my days with a 2400 baud modem and a dial up connection to my prodigy account. I found the data transfer modes fascinating and spent quite a few hours listening and decoding to learn the in's and out's of it all. I decided that using the PSK (and other) digital modes could be really useful.. that is, if the internet or my phone ever stopped working.
I got into the Ham radios because I wanted a standalone communications capability.. The ability to talk to the outside world (both local and long distance), that didn't depend on any infrastructure except my own. In fact, I thought that was what ham radio was all about.
Along comes these other digital modes like DStar that inevitably require a repeater and an internet connection.
So my next thought is why? Why would someone spend the money on an expensive ham radio that requires 3rd party infrastructure when you can just pick up your smart phone and do the same thing (only better) at a fraction of the price?
Do I have a misunderstanding? Am I missing something?
Seems to me, and I hope I'm mistaken, that they're slowly morphing radios into smart phones. If I find an iHam at the apple store, I'm going to be disappointed.