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G6KUI > PACKET 22.08.05 01:18l 95 Lines 3991 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 95344-G6KUI
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: What do we want to see on pkt?
Path: DB0FHN<DB0MRW<DB0PV<DB0FSG<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2BAU<GB7MAX<
GB7DBY<GB7DBY
Sent: 050821/2304z @:GB7DBY.#23.GBR.EU NPF2.54c [G6KUI PMS Alvaston Derby]
David G4EBT wrote.....
}
} Dick, VK3ABK, wrote:
}
} >What kind of bulletins do we want to see on packet?
}
} The unique feature of packet which sets it apart from internet newsgroups
} (as well as the fact that you need a ham radio licence) is its eclectic
} range of topics. People post bulls on wide-ranging topics which interest
} them, and which they hope might be of interest to others. Lose that, and
} packet is sunk.
}
What are internet newsgroups and what have they to do with Packet Radio ?
Packet Radio is a mode of Amateur Radio and the one aspect that keeps it
going ( at least in this area ( Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire
etc ) is the fact that it IS a RADIO mode.
The userbase here at GB7DBY is a good 50% of what it was 5 years ago.
Most of the users do not send bulletins, but a lot read them and a good
number send personal messages.
EVERYTHING here at GB7DBY is by radio and that is also the case of the
two BBSs that are downstream from me.
The radio links work very well, a heck of a lot better than before I took
over GB7DBY when they were very very fragile.
I believe that Packet Radio is a victim of it's own success. It is probably
the only amateur radio mode that has ever been near 100% accurate - in that
I mean that the recepient gets exactly what was sent from the originator,
with no bits missing and no bits added.
After the initial burst of activity by all and sundry, the interest wained
when they discovered how easy it was, and they went off to find something
a little more challenging in the hobby of amateur radio.
A few of us that were interested in the "network" perfected what we were
interested in and did what we could in the locations that we are in.
What remains of the radio network works very well and it is something
to be proud of.
In general the network runs unattended and requires very little maintainance
to keep it in full working order.
The throughput in terms of numbers of packets sent/received is in reality
very little different than 5 years ago, as although the NUMBER of bulletins
has dropped somewhat, the size of most has grown and has more than
compensated for the drop in numbers. For instance the size of G4EBT's
bulletins now are nearer 10K than the 2K of yesteryear. This is a good
thing that the network now accepts these large bulletins.
Another example is the RSGB News - it used to be in 20 parts - now it's
in just 1 part ( thanks to Trev M1CUK ) - it's now more efficient and
less hastle to download.
Where as 10 years ago there was a lot of huffing and puffing and very little
peace, the opposite is now true - it all goes smoothly.
As to content of bulletins? Well maybe I'm too liberal as to what I let
through here without rejecting or reviewing. I know my neighbouring BBSs
are a lot more strict than me.
I think that I have the balance right, but we are all individuals and must
accept others decisions.
We could have made much more use of sending binary data ( as 7+ ) but a
number of importing BBSs in this country decided that they didn't want
the responsibility of doing this.
I respect the decision of these BBS Sysops - but it has the effect of
turning off certain users that would have remained if those facilities
had been provided. The same goes for the unrealistic size restriction
that some impose on binary data sent via packet radio.
Because of this Packet Radio has remained a predominatery text-only mode.
Why are we not sending Video Clips via Packet Radio ?
There is plenty of spare bandwidth even on a 1200 baud link.
If a single 1200 baud link is insufficient then put on more links or
increase the baud rate.
What we should be doing is keeping it all radio-linked and using it to
it's full - after all it is supposed to be amateur RADIO.
Taking one of David's interests, why not send voice clips of the different
accents that he is investigating ?
There is plenty that we COULD be doing.
Use it or lose it.
73, Pete G6KUI
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