Subj : VoIP Modes
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Mar 01 2018 10:43 am

    ANTENNA PROHIBITIONS?? USE VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL MODES
    =============================================================

  For an amateur radio operator to have a station setup like veteran
contester Tim Duffy, K3LR...with acres to put numerous antennas, a
budget for every type of radio to work all bands and modes, and a setup
to make a "clean sweep" in contesting...that may seem like "Ham Radio
Heaven".

  Unfortunately, not every amateur radio operator has this luxury...let
alone a shack like what K3LR has. And, more and more ham radio operators
are being put into situations...either through moving to a new area of
the country...a new residential area with Covenants, Creeds, and
Restrictions (CC&R's)...or into a medical needs facility...where antennas
and/or RF gear is EXTREMELY LIMITED, or PROHIBITED ENTIRELY. To these hams,
this is "Ham Radio Hell", compared to what K3LR has.

  However, with the advent of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and
internet modes of Echolink (single user setup), Packet Via Telnet, D-Star
(DV Dongle), RemoteHams, CQ100, and Hamsphere, to name a few...these
amateur radio operators can still maintain a presence in the hobby...even
though the "purists" say that "internet radio is not ham radio".

  The hams using the internet to get on the air realize that if the
internet goes down, that they are off the air. However, if a massive
electromagnetic pulse (EMP) occurs, it's going to fry all the electronic
equipment, anyway.

  But, EMP and internet outages aside...there are benefits of using these
modes, which just requires a computer a DSL/Broadband, or Wi-Fi Internet
connection (dial-up mode is not recommended, due to bandwidth requirements),
plus the needed software and devices...such as a DV Dongle, a speaker mic
or headset mic, or a desktop mic and speakers.

  With these, you can do these modes from practially anywhere...including
a demo at a hamfest or mini Field Day event, or use it on vacation from
your hotel room, or even from a moving train!!

  Validation of your ham radio license is required in most cases.

1) Echolink (software) is free, and is available for desktop or laptop
computers, as well as for iPhones and Android devices. However, working
with proxy servers on desktops and laptops can be difficult, if not set
up properly.

For details, go to http://www.echolink.org

2) D-Star (software...DV Tools and D-Rats) are free, and available for
laptops, desktops, and Raspberry Pi setups with a DVAP. However, the
DVAP and the DV Dongle (the latter just plugs into a USB port) start
at $200, with the DV Dongle being the least expensive. These can be
purchased from such places as Ham Radio Outlet (www.hamradio.com). The
DV Tools program runs the main program, while D-Rats allows the exchange
of messages, files, and real time chat, with other D-Star users.

For details, go to http://www.dstarinfo.com 

3) Packet Via Telnet (software, using the Outpost Packet program) is
free. With the iptelnet program, you can chat in real time on a net,
such as the PCL Net on the N0KFQ BBS in Branson, Missouri. The Outpost
program allows downloading of packet messages in the categories you
select, then allows you to read and reply "offline", and then upload
your "replies" or new messages.

For details, go to http://www.outpostpm.org

For details on the N0KFQ BBS, please leave Feedback to Sysop, or see
the related bulletin in this door.

4) CQ100 and Hamsphere. Unlike other VoIP modes, no RF actually occurs
with CQ100 and Hamsphere. And, unlike other VoIP modes, there is a
yearly fee for each one (around $40 a year as of mid-2014).

For more details on CQ100, go to http://www.qsonet.com

For more details on HamSphere, go to http://www.hamsphere.com

Daryl Stout, WX1DER, Sysop
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