Paraphrasing Frank Zappa [Jazz isn’t dead, it just smells funny] should give you an idea that I don’t take myself too seriously, even if I sometimes have strong opinions. My last post kinda took a detour into EMCOMM issues, and I stand by those comments.
But EMCOMM is a valuable resource bot for hams and the general public. I do think the technology needs a refresh. I do think hams in general are using tech that is outdated or incompatible with modern emergency communication systems. But that doesn’t mean I think the EMCOMM ops out there are wasting their time.
I will keep thinking about these issues along with other RF tech that I am interested in. Expanding and modernizing our operating scope should be part of radio tech education, spectrum defense, software development, user networking, and more. With the current threats to HF spectrum in particular these tech issues become more important. Ask your friends at the ARRL, or professionals in the commercial radio industry. It will only get harder to defend our generous spectrum allocations as our tech ages out and we fail to add value to the amateur radio service with technical innovation.
With hurricane season bearing down on the western Atlantic it’s a good time to think about what kinds of tech, or integration of existing tech, would provide a real benefit to our communities. I’ll be doing that. Chime in with any suggestions or ideas you have.
73, N1QDQ
petebrunelli 
Comments
2 responses to “EMCOMM Isn’t dead… It just smells funny”
Good post Peter, we do need to do a better job of showing the government that we are a valuable resource in times of disaster and make no bones any it, the climate related disasters will increase at an unprecedented rate. I have given up on repeaters using vhf, no one is using them or they won’t answer you if you put out a call. Compare this with HF where there is always someone on and other operators will go to great lengths to make a contract with you.
We have a mode now which is perfect for emcom , it’s called js8call. Let’s face it, unless you’ve been an island with a soccer ball called Wilson for the last 5 or more years you’ve heard of or use FT8. An absolutely amazing mode which provides excellent information on signal strengths and actual distance to the other station . JS8call combines this with real message ability. Qrp works and with wire antennas, anyone can be involved. Think of the possibility of an immense group of individuals able to offer communication in times of disaster.
Just my two cents, I enjoy your articles Peter.
Vy73/72,
Rick VE1RNM
Hi Rick, Thanks for the great comments. Check out my previous post where I mention JS8 and how it is a way to pass messages. I think it is pointing in the right direction as a weak signal messaging mode, but the character rate is pretty slow. Maybe VARA Chat is more like it, or just VARA. Even if the internet connection is down at your location a Winkink/VARA node with a connection is probably in reach. Also, we are talking about this while Starlink nodes are being sold at retailers. That should be a wake up.
Aside from being a ham and a life long user of tech, I was born into a family who made their careers in electronics. I had, and continue to have, visions of what technology could provide to the people. I’m pretty well disappointed with the quality of both tech and software available to the consumer today. Even companies like Apple have given the best of their tech to the data mining industry and we users get a decent interface but not an amazing one. Communications networks often provide just enough access and bandwidth, but are still pushing it based on profit not quality. Broadly, the consumer gets just enough tech to hook them on a subscription plan. My question is what can a legion of radio amateurs do to leverage their amazing spectrum allocations and privileges with regard to use of that spectrum? We have to go further and provide a truly useful service. We have incredible latitude to experiment and innovate and we will be ripe for the picking if we continue to fail to take advantage of that. The current proposal to reset HF allocations is just the start.