| |
G0TWN > WLAN 14.09.03 14:14l 42 Lines 2081 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 39633-GB7IMK
Read: DB0FHN OE5RCO DL1NT DK5RAS DO6NP GUEST
Subj: Re: It's not ham radio
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0MRW<DB0SON<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<VK3TE<GB7MAX<
GB7COV<GB7BED<GB7IMK
Sent: 030914/1135Z @:GB7IMK.#43.GBR.EU #:39633 [Via TCP/IP] FBB $:39633-GB7IMK
From: G0TWN@GB7IMK.#43.GBR.EU
To : WLAN@WW
People come into this hobby for various reasons. The most basic of which is to enjoy communicating
with others. Just talking. The great exodis from Citizen band for example. A great number of radio
amateurs falls into this basic concept.
I agree with Paula in that Plugging in a Wireless LAN is not 'experimenting with packet radio' but
then, this was the case anyway. Most users plugged their commercial TNC into their commercial radio.
A basic install of programs such as TPK and Winpack bought packet news bulletins to their screens
without even having to understand the basic AX25 or TCP/IP TNC commands, let along the transport
protocol they were using.
These people we lost from packet radio, for various reasons, including the continued use of 1200baud
vanilla text systems. They wanted more. These people, not matter how we tried, were not going to
migrate to 9600baud because they didn't want to touch their little black boxes.
There are many solutions for bringing back users to packet but this group won't do so unless they
are offered a complete solution 'on a plate'.
As I see it, Wireless LAN access is just another carrot to hold in front of the donkey. LAN devices
suitable for a user to stick an external antenna into can be had for under 30 ukp and is virtually
plug 'n' go.
Some, whilst not electronically minded, might be interested in the computer side.
Maybe just the concept of a networking itself.
Replace the entire network with 2.4GHz WLAN? That won't happen. Certainly not in the UK.
Geographically complexities and the cost of high sites, together with the conflict with public and
commercial users who are already saturating the top of the band.
No, inter-linking will still be done by the few die-hards who can handle a soldering iron and volt meter.
Regards from David G0TWN
Sysop GB7IMK [44.131.160.241]
IP Co-ordinator North Buckinghamshire - Region 160
Ampr: g0twn@gb7imk.ampr.org
AX25: G0TWN@GB7IMK.#43.GBR.EU
Email: dhumble@taurus2.plus.com
http://www.taurus2.plus.com/gb7imk/
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
