Subj : VoIP modes
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Sat May 28 2016 09:17 pm

While the VoIP modes tend to give "the ham radio purists" heartburn and grief,
as they believe that "internet radio is not ham radio", hams need to realize
that "we are communicators FIRST, and ham radio operators SECOND".

I personally realize that when my power or internet is out, I'm QRT. However,
while I have it, I can still get on the air.

Several years ago, a ham radio operator in Omaha, Nebraska, took his laptop
computer, a desktop mic and speakers, a power supply, and a wi-fi card, along
with the Echolink software, to an area hospital. Working with Echolink Single
User setups only (no RF occured), he pre-arranged QSO's with hams in the U.S.
and the UK -- basically "to take the loneliness out of the days of many of the
patients".

Some of these modes include:

Packet Via Telnet - The N0KFQ BBS in Branson, Missouri, is a full featured
packet BBS, with both RF and Telnet access. They have a digital net every
Monday night at 7pm Central Time. I will post a message on this as soon as
possible.

Echolink - Downloadable from www.echolink.org -- the program can be run in
single user mode or in Sysop mode. One can also get the app for their
smartphone.

CQ100 - Downloadable from www.qsonet.com -- subscribers also get "QSO TV", a
program that's sort of like an "amateur TV program".

Hamsphere - Downloadable from www.hamsphere.com -- not having used it, I'm not
familiar with it, but apparently you can be in as a licensed ham, or just an
SWL user.

CQ100 and Hamsphere charge a yearly fee...details are on their websites.

Daryl, WX1DER

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