By Dale L. Puckett, KØHYD
During the birth of the personal computer, clubs popped up across the nation. Many clubs were large. Several SIGs operated in each club. SIG stood for Special Interest Group.
Members using microcomputers based on Motorola’s processor architecture discussed projects in one room. Those owning machines based on other architectures met in other rooms. Then, they all got together and defined personal computing as we know it.
Fast forward now to the second decade of the 21st century. Can we apply parallels in amateur radio clubs like the Wichita Amateur Radio Club today? I’m pretty sure we can.
The microprocessors born in the 1970s became the personal computers of the future. These personal computers revolutionized almost everyone’s life.
These same microprocessors redefined amateur radio. They made efficient and effective operating techniques available to all. Logging software made it possible to maintain accurate records during contests. They also made it easy to chase awards. The evolution of cloud-based databases like Logbook of the World simplified the process even more.
Microprocessors gave us better control of things like our bandwidth and audio quality. They let us automate antenna tuning and any number of other processes.
Today microprocessors are making digital radio not only possible, but practical. WARC already maintains a Fusion repeater at Wesley Hospital. The board of directors and technical staff are busy investigating a digital mobile repeater.
Grounded Grid Editor Randy Fisher, KEØJYU, asked me to tackle the topic of digital radio in monthly installments. This first column is as much a survey of our readers as anything else. Where would you like to see us go in a column about digital radio? How detailed would you like it to be?
Would you like to see a SIG within WARC dedicated to digital radio? How granular should it be? Would you like one generic group that discusses and experiments with digital radio? Or, specific groups dedicated to D-Star, DMR and Fusion? Where does digital TV fit in the big picture?
We now stand on the threshold of exciting possibilities for all hams. To get a feel for the question “Why digital radio?” you only need to think about an earlier transition.
A mere decade ago broadcasters transitioned from analog to digital television. Before the transition if the analog signal was strong you got a good picture. If it was weak, you could see the picture but a field of snow almost hid the picture. With the new digital television you either received a perfect picture or no picture.
Likewise you can hear the difference between analog and digital radios. On our current analog repeaters if you drive into a valley, your signal weakens. Repeater listeners then begin to hear a lot of noise with your voice. On our digital Fusion repeater you will either hear a perfect audio signal or hear nothing.
There are many other reasons to champion digital radio. Take bandwidth for example. DMR repeaters allow two conversations on a single 12.5-KHz channel. Analog repeaters meanwhile deliver only one conversation on a 25-KHz channel.
The good news is that you don’t have to wait to start experimenting with digital radio. Even if there are no repeaters in your area you can communicate with hams around the world. To do this, you set up a hotspot that communicates over the Internet to a gateway that connects you to any repeater. Your digital radio, usually a handheld, talks to your hotspot and bingo – you’re on the air anywhere in the world.
I’ve been experimenting with a hotspot for several months now and it is a lot of fun. Working in this medium is different but it’s not hard. Once you understand the big picture about the various modes it becomes a simple question. What do you want to do?
So, what do you want to read here or in the Grounded Grid? Do you want to know how to configure your hotspot? Do you want to know how to create a code plug for your DMR radio? Do you want to know how to connect to a reflector on D-Star? Please let me know and I’ll do my best to give you an easy to follow path for success in digital radio.
Email your requests and ideas to me at kØhyd@arrl.net within the next few weeks. I’ll do my best to deliver results for you beginning with the next Grounded Grid.