[ARC5] "What's Old is New..."

Tue Aug 8 21:29:37 EDT 2017

Let’s not forget that radio navigation and international voice, text and image communications were possible in the days before artificial satellites were placed into orbit.  How’d they do that way back then?

I’m reminded about a couple of truly amazing telecomm systems from the WWII era – SIGSALY and Hedy Lamar’s patent for a  frequency-hopping torpedo control system.  You can find details on that intergoogle thing.

But I digress…..

73 de

Gene Smar  AD3F

From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Leslie Smith
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2017 8:09 PM
To: jeepp <jeepp at comcast.net>; ARC-5 List <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ARC5] "What's Old is New..."

Hello Jeep,

Yes, certainly there is zero (or near zero) interest in CW.  (There are a few die-hard CW operators left).   The time when radio amateurs could provide a pool of competent technology (for public service) will soon be gone.  Even graduate engineers may be of limited service due to lack of knowledge caused by mass production.

I see all this wonderfully complex technology as fragile.  When it's going - well, it's the "bees knees".  But you could easily tell me a dozen ways the entire system could crash (and a virus is only one potential problem).   On the other hand, even if every satellite fell out of the sky, some form of basic comms could be provided by HF/CW/SSB or VHF/FM.   Again, contrasting complexity and reliability, digital broadcasting is certainly superior to the AM broadcast band - but the coverage and simplicity of AM broadcast says a great deal for keeping some AM/MF service alive for Tornadoes, floods and so on.  I worry about the loss of services in storms (and so on).

I easily hear the ABC broadcast in Sydney (100km distant) day and night.  In the evening I regularly LISTEN to ABC "local" from Brisbane (1000km distant).  This is on a cheap clock radio such as I can buy for $10 in any "el-cheapo" shop.  My "toy" home-brew sets receive the same broadcasts easily (including a 2 tube 2-transistor superhet).  

Here, in Australia, we see the mobile phone service "die" during cyclones (tornadoes).  Now, with the advent of broadband, power is needed IN MY HOME to run the landline phone service.  The time is gone when the power for the tel system was at the exchange.  I have seen times when I had no power for 4 days (and longer in other places).  No mobile service, no landline - I see problems, including loss of life during storms (and so on).

However, one problem with my argument is this:  That the equipment (and training) needed to provide HF/SSB (or VHF/FM) is quickly disappearing too ...

New is good, (mostly better) but basic equipment can provide basic service when elaborate systems fail.

None of this involves "command" radio, (and is therefore irrelevant)  but I think some on this list will agree.

Others will deny my observation completely.

   73 de Les Smith

   vk2bcu at operamail.com

On Wed, Aug 9, 2017, at 02:56, jeepp wrote:

Wayne,

There is currently zero interest in cw. With the wholesale implementation of the NTIA Red Book some time ago, the number of amateur radio ( hence qualified cw operators)  went way down as virtually all amateur equipment was said to be non-compliant.  By that action, CAP was able to convince the DoD that funds were necessary for new equipment, HF SSB and VHF FM.  Unlike MARS and other Govt. agencies, no waivers or accomodation (clearly available) were requested by CAP.  This still a hot political topic in many circles.

Jeep K3HVG (50+ years in CAP)

Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: Robert Eleazer <releazer at earthlink.net> 

Date: 8/8/17 12:32 (GMT-05:00) 

To: arc5 at mailman.qth.net 

Subject: [ARC5] "What's Old is New..." 

Back in the mid-70's I was surprised and disappointed to find that the Civil Air Patrol ran its own HF radio networks, using SSB - but that CW/Morse was not allowed without special permission from the local commander.

One would think that such organizations would be a reservoir of expertise in that crowbar-simple highly reliable means of communication, but the reverse proved to be true.

Wayne

WB5WSV   

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