[Lowfer] Opera (and more)

[JD]

>>>Newest version of Opera at....

Can you use it at all without an Internet connection?  It would be helpful 
to know before I go stuffing any more software onto my marginally adequate 
little notebook for field use.

I often kid that WSPR stands for "Web Surfing Passing as Radio," but so far 
as I can tell, at least it doesn't force spotting on you.  The Internet is 
an option that's just not going to be available at my monitoring post for 
the foreseeable future, so that's one reason I'd kind of hope more stations 
will be using standalone, communication-oriented modes in future..."generic" 
WSJT, for instance, instead of WSPR.

The other reason is that one big justification given for 600m ham operation 
is its potential for groundwave communication.  I would personally define 
communication as an exchange of self-contained messages of arbitrary length 
and content...not simply highly formatted propagation reports.  At the risk 
of being a curmudgeon, I really do get the impression some software packages 
have more elements of online social networking than than radio operation 
behind them.

I've finally been forced to join the late 20th century with regard to 
demodulating and decoding a wider range of digital modes lately, but I must 
admit, I like to start with a track record of proven results then build from 
there rather than opt for the latest novelty.  MFSK modes may be able to 
achieve worthwhile results, but they are proliferating too rapidly for an 
old geezer to keep up with who's sending what--or to know if my software is 
even capable of whatever specific variant is being sent at a specific 
instance.  By the time I click a few buttons to see what works, the sending 
station has switched to another mode anyway.

On the other hand, I like to fantasize that more stations might someday 
further explore modes that are becoming more 'standardized,' like PSK31 and 
its other speeds, with a focus on real-world communication below the AM BCB. 
Before having to dig into digimodes myself, I thought PSK31 sounded like 
just another sort of trendy deal, but I've since developed an appreciation 
for it.  Even with the strongest Amtor/Navtex transmissions, I seldom get 
more than low-90% decoding accuracy.  But Ralph's PSK31 segments as WD2XSH/7 
have always given me 100% perfect copy thus far, even during a few moderate 
fades.

Sorry for the rant, and I certainly don't mean to put down _any_ hobby 
activity anyone enjoys for its own sake, but I've been curious lately where 
folks feel the emphasis really lies for future 600 m operation.

John