Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
Jeff Nyberg (KF5KWO)
on
August 2, 2009
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Whenever I get a road trip, I jump on the air
with my 10-meter mobile rig. So, having the
opportunity today (Saturday, August 1, 2009)
to drive from San Antonio to Houston, I
prepared for 7 to 8 hours of calling CQ and
making a few contacts -- just a few since 10
meter conditions aren't the best right now.
I alerted the County Hunters on http://www.countyhunter.com/ with my plans --
albeit late last night -- including my route
(along I-10) and the counties through which I
would pass. But then it hit me: With band
conditions being so poor, I want to alert
folks as to the county I'm in so they don't
have to search and search and probably miss
me. So I created a Twitter account
(http://twitter.com/kf5kwo) and sent updates
via my cell phone as I entered each county.
I added that URL to my post on
countyhunter.com, the idea being that folks
could go onto the Twitter site and see when
I'm in each county and give me a call on my
frequency. They could even choose to receive
updates on their phones via text message if they so desired.
My plan was flawed from the standpoint that I
didn't advertise my trip until late last
night -- don't the best ideas always come up
at the last minute? Yeah, that's the
ticket... Also, I'm not sure how many hams
use Twitter, or how many would care to create an
account for this kind of short-duration
event.
A quick search of "DX" on Twitter shows a few
DX sites are there, including the DailyDX,
which I have elected to "follow."
So, that's great idea I hatched late last
night. I will be going that same route next
Saturday (August 8), and will post that info
on various websites and also on Twitter.
Hope to garner a few more contacts.
Comments?
73 de Jeff, KF5KWO
Helotes, TX
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by KG4RRN on August 2, 2009
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Can you say twittering while driving = death???
There have been numerous cases of people loosing control of their cars whilist twittering, therefore it is not a recommended mode of communication, while you are driving.
Latest story up here is of a two truck driver who had a car on his roll off truck who decided to twitter, he and the truck ended up in a swimming pool. Try explaining that to the boss, and there is no more tow truck driving job.There are also laws now in several states that ban the use of operations of mobile devices (like cellphones) while driving. If you are convicted of causing an accident (provided you are alive to be bought to court)you will loose the privilage, for up to a year in some states.
PLEASE DON'T TWITTER YOUR LIFE AWAY FOLKS!!!
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by KG4RUL on August 2, 2009
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Right now, many States are trying to restrict, or ban outright, the use of cell phones and other communication devices while driving. Often, Amateur Radio operation is being swept into this effort. PLEASE do not do something as insanely stupid as twittering while driving. This will only give the advocates of bans more ammunition if such activity results in accidents, or worse yet deaths!
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K1CJS on August 2, 2009
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While it is nice to chase DX while mobile, texting while driving is unsafe and shouldn't be even attempted. I agree with the others. Leave Twitter out of things while driving. The life you save may be your own--or mine!
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N9DG on August 2, 2009
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Why doesn't anyone want to call CQ anymore???
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K0BG on August 2, 2009
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My opinion...
Twittering, texting, typing, call it what you may, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Board has determined that such activity is more dangerous by far than using a cellphone. It is even more dangerous than inserting a CD into your stereo (heretofore the most dangerous).
I echo the comment about calling CQ. The summer E layer opening on 6 meters is about over. Yet, every time I'm in the vehicle, I call a few CQs on 6. I've managed to pickup about 10 new grid squares by doing so. Ten meters is no different. Just get on!
This said, you do have to pick your frequencies, obviously, but that's part of the fun.
As for County Hunting. I used to do a lot of that, but was chastised a lot for not accepting signal reports below Q4. It's gotten to the point now, they're accepting 22, and I've even heard one with 11! Geez!
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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Excellent Use For Twitter
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by N4CQR on August 2, 2009
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Pull off the road, sent a tweet, get back on the road. During a drive that long, you need ot take breaks anyway.
Good idea!
73 C r a i g
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KE5KDT on August 2, 2009
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Well Jeff anything hatched late at night is sure to bring a salvo of comments and its working. I TRUST you are not using the cell phone to text while driving and I come to that conclusion since it is only about 200 miles from San Antonio to Houston, an easy 3 to 3 1/2 hour trip on IH 10. So I conclude, from your estimated 7 to 8 hour drive time, you must be stopping along the way, maybe driving the back roads, and taking your time in the counties to twitter and try for contacts. All that aside, the concept is interesting and akin to using the internet to boost ham radio contacts. Personally, I like CQ but it all adds to making new contacts and new friends in the world of ham radio. Be sure and stop in Schulenburg for German pastry. From the San Antonio area, Bob, KE5KDT.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K4DPK on August 2, 2009
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What sort of vehicle are you driving?
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K8GJP on August 2, 2009
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I wont beat a dead horse but i agree with everyone about not text/twittering and driving. If you had a passenger that would be ok. I would rather recommend some form of APRS. whether it be actual APRS or something like google latitude. that way the people who are interested can just look you up and you can concentrate on driving.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KQ4KK on August 2, 2009
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I understand the theme of this thread is ANOTHER resource to track county hunting. Twitter, is another new way.
But, I would have to agree that using APRS with a GPS would be an AUTOMATIC, passive, safe way to update everyone on the internet of your exact location. County Hunters, your friends, girl friends and/or wife.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N2RRA on August 2, 2009
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I don't normally give my opinion on subjects such as this one but Im compelled to add mine's to this list.
THIS TOPIC IS JUST PLAIN STUPID!
I agree with the other fellow. What ever happened to just calling CQ? I understand what he's trying to say here, but some people can barely drive with keeping two hands on the wheel imagine one. If a major accident was caused by this could you imagine the field day the media would have with it or state officials.
Bad suggestion to twitter via mobile!
73's
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N0FPE on August 2, 2009
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I will not be joining Twitter to chase DX or any other thing. My choice. I will just "tweet" on the band of my choice until I find someone to talk to. I will also not be joining Facebook or any of the other online networking site just to find other hams to talk to. The bands are not THAT bad. I find folks on all the time. I just call "CQ" its amazing how well that works.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K4DPK on August 2, 2009
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There's already growing national pressure to make cell phone useage, texting or any other diversion while driving illegal, and for good reason. It's unsafe.
The last thing ham radio needs is for some ham to be involved in a wreck caused by such a diversion.
We'll have a hard enough time escaping all that legislation with our mobile operating privileges intact, without giving them more fuel for argument.
I'd still like to know what the author is driving. I hope it's not an eighteen-wheeler or a gasoline tanker.
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K2WH on August 2, 2009
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Twitter's for kids and certainly not ham radio. Grow up.
K2WH
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KD5SFK on August 2, 2009
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Jeff,
Unfortunately, the very title of your article was destined to set off flames galore on eHam. I trust that you are twittering safely by pulling off the road while you are doing it, or someone else is driving and you are free to twitter and ham to your heart's content.
OK, now that the safety issue is out of the way, I want to address another theme that is running through this thread...why not just call CQ? I've been there, done that, and have the t-shirt. Calling CQ on 10 meters when the band is "dead" (like 99% of the hams out there think it is right now) is just a waste of your vocal cords. If everyone thinks it is dead, then it is dead, because no one is listening.
However, call CQ on 10 meters on a contest weekend, even with no sunspots and no E-skip and an amazing thing happens...the band comes alive! My unscientific hypothesis is that 10 meters is quite often actually "open" yet no one is listening unless it happens to be during a contest weekend. Think I'm crazy? Just compare 10 meters on contest/non-contest weekends. This, of course, applies mostly during solar minimum. 10 meters will be hopping all the time if we ever get out of the sunspot drought.
I think trying to stir up activity on 10 meters as you have proposed will be an interesting experiment. If you don't have any luck this weekend, try again next weekend. With more publicity, you may get a better response. Please post again so we will know about your results.
There is another option for reporting your position other than Twitter...APRS. However, I can assure you that there are APRS dead spots between San Antonio and Houston, so you're going to want to run more than the typical 5w APRS set-up.
Good luck!
KD5SFK
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KC0RBX on August 2, 2009
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Cripes! Who says the man isn't smart enough to pull over and twit then drive again? I think its a good idea and if he wants to twit his new counties and others want to follow that on twitter, that's their business. Typical that everyone wants jump all over someone for a new idea. Shlubs.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KD5SFK on August 2, 2009
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One more comment....Just for grins, on a day that 10-meters is nothing but static from one end of the band to the next, flip over and give a listen to 11 meters (go ahead and flame away for the mere mention of "chicken band" by a ham!). I suspect that you'll hear activity that is not local. So if 11 meters is open, why not 10? Sure, the MUF could be at 27 instead of 28 MHz, but they're really close!
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by VE3TMT on August 2, 2009
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BAD BAD BAD
I assume you are not driving down the interstate while texting. Also, not really the "radio" way to garner contacts. What ever happen to calling CQ? Or why not operate 40m for the counties? Guaranteed to make contacts there.
Max
VE3TMT
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N4CQR on August 2, 2009
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RE: Reply by K2WH on August 2, 2009
Twitter's for kids and certainly not ham radio. Grow up. K2WH
You could not be more incorrect. You do however prove your missunderstanding of the concept.
Twitter is used by, Procter And Gambel, LexMark, Toyota, and a large number of govermental agencys. We use it to keep track of 65 people who are in/out of the office, in a meeting or on a job site. We also use it for a "heads up" on production changes (which happen hourly) and to keep people on the production floor in the loop.
No, Twitter, IS NOT, just for kids.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"Cripes! Who says the man isn't smart enough to pull over and twit then drive again?"
Well, he didn't say that he did.
And I see idiots around my area driving while texting, even on 4 lane 65 mile per hour, densely packed highways. They're easy to spot, largely because they're not quite staying centered between the lines.
There are a fair number of people who think they can safely drive and text. It's not some sort of ridiculous urban legend. I see it pretty frequently.
If you're going to write an article like this and you don't want people to get all worked up about how dangerous driving while texting is, you should mention it explictly... like, "when I reach another county and park to wait to see if someone wants my county, I tweet my location"
73
Dan
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"I suspect that you'll hear activity that is not local. So if 11 meters is open, why not 10?"
Because there are a few million CB operators packed into the 40 CB channels and a bit above and/or below, with no access to other bands that have better propagation than the 26-30MHz region, while there are quite a bit less than a million hams in the US with a bunch of other much *more* open bands to choose from.
When all I had access to (before I did CW) was 10m SSB, I parked there and dug deep in the static for any signs of life, and that was pretty fun, but now that I've got a lot of bands available I will tend to go where propagation is better.
And if I want to dig in the static for signs of life on the higher frequencies, I go up to 6m, which is relatively new to me.
73
Dan
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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'Course that makes your points about the futility of calling CQ all the stronger ;-)
Good luck getting some activity going on 10.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N0YXB on August 2, 2009
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A recent marketing article I read indicates most kids don't like Twitter, it's mostly used by adults. I took an unscientific poll of my kids and they don't see the point and would rather use regular texting. PLEASE don't text and try to drive.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by W9OY on August 2, 2009
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No cwazy wabbit
Trix are for kids
73 W9OY
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Using Twitter isn't Childish, Grow Up OM
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by K4RAF on August 2, 2009
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K2WH's comment is indicative of the childish views many have of "progress" in ham radio.
Twitter is a tool, just like a shovel. You can use it as a weapon, you can stand around supporting yourself while holding it & doing nothing or you can dig a hole with it.
Some are content with the same ways they operated when they were in Mayberry in 1970!!!
Raf
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RE: Using Twitter isn't Childish, Grow Up OM
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"Some are content with the same ways they operated when they were in Mayberry in 1970!!! "
Oh c'mon.
Look, I think Twitter from a cell phone is a fine way to announce some roving plans.
But I hardly think mere use of Twitter is "progress" in ham radio.
Its use is orthogonal to progress in ham radio. It is neither fundamentally an advance or a regression in progress in ham radio.
I don't agree with K2WH's comments either but there's a difference between thinking Twitter is stupid (which is a commonly held opinion of a sizable subset of the general population) and thinking there's nothing new to do in ham radio and we shouldn't even try.
73
Dan
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It's the CQ that makes it real.
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by AI2IA on August 2, 2009
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Do what you wish. Think what you will. Propose the best excuses you can think of.
No look ups. No supplementary assistance. No internet. No cellphone. No Twitter. One rig to another directly, antenna to antenna, and followed up with the final courtesy - a card stock QSL card - now that is without any doubt genuine ham radio.
Yes, you can do the other things. You can crow about the fine results. Go ahead, but when you do as above, you do one hundred per cent ham radio.
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RE: It's the CQ that makes it real.
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"followed up with the final courtesy - a card stock QSL card - now that is without any doubt genuine ham radio"
No, way! The postal system is not real ham radio.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 2, 2009
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Hmmm...
Just curious, but why does it take 7 to 8 hours to drive from San Antonio to Houston?
Round trip, maybe.
Unless you mean, 2.5 hours to drive from San Antonio to Katy, then 5.5 hours to drive to downtown. That might make sense. :)
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RE: Using Twitter isn't Childish, Grow Up OM
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by K4RAF on August 2, 2009
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N3OX,
I see you are an anomaly in ham radio because of your age. I am sort of as well. The problem is crankbait curmudgeons have taken over this hobby in the last 20 years. Gone are the days when we were on par or actually had a lead on the tech envelope. KA9Q presented TCP/IP to ham radio about 1983. Look at where that has lead the world!
Fast forward to today when everything even mildly seen by a few as innovative is dismissed by the masses as "childish", "consumer" or "toys"... Try suggesting embracing of 802.11 technology to battle the BPL argument. You are quickly accused of trying to compete with common carrier services, playing with consumer toys or childish that you would suggest using something that is QRP to communicate. I THOUGHT we were Wireless Communicators but I guess that definition has changed as well these days.
140 characters is easier to utilize efficiently if you were on AX.25 packet in 1982. We didn't have an internet & AFSK was truly innovative. Now the world has Twitter & ham radio still clings to AX.25 as innovative. LOL
Raf
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RE: Using Twitter isn't Childish, Grow Up OM
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"Gone are the days when we were on par or actually had a lead on the tech envelope"
In my opinion, this is less because of how the average ham radio operator decides to conduct him or herself, and more because most advances in communications technology today very much require you to work full time on communications technology!
"Try suggesting embracing of 802.11 technology to battle the BPL argument. You are quickly accused of trying to compete with common carrier services, playing with consumer toys or childish that you would suggest using something that is QRP to communicate."
If that's happening, and you're not actually competing with other internet providers for providing general internet services to yourself or others, that's a shame. Working on improvement for long haul WiFi using by exercising our privileges as hams to use higher power and bigger antennas on some of the channels is great. Use of commodity consumer equipment is great too... easy and cheap.
And there's no point in setting up such a link if there's no data to transfer. If I were doing this sort of thing, I'd probably do things like serve up my web page over it, and yeah, maybe I'd even update my ham-radio-centric Twitter account.
But there's a line. At some point, if it stops being your "ham radio experimental internet connection" and starts being your only internet connection, it becomes the 2009 equivalent of running a phone patch 24/7 because you live out in the boonies and don't want to pay for a phone. It starts to be a gray-area application at best, or possibly illegal pursuant to Part 97.113a, which reads, in part
"(a) No amateur station shall transmit:
...1 thru 4 omitted...
(5) Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services. "
I don't know what your situation is, but some of the backlash I've seen/heard about regarding high speed networking on the ham bands does indeed center around this part of the rules. Of course, the definition of "reasonable" must be a matter of legal precedent, etc.
Anyway, aside from the content and purpose of transfer of that content, and how that could veer toward questionable use of the ham bands, I think working on long haul high speed networking is a good front for advancement in ham radio techniques.
But then we're talking about something that actually uses ham radio to transfer data, so it makes a lto of sense to frame even an argument over it in "is this an advancement of ham radio or not."
It doesn't make nearly as much sense to do that for use of mobile phone networks and the internet to announce ham radio operating intentions. It's not an advance in ham radio in any way that I can think of except *possibly* a slight public relations boost.
I personally think that announcing your current county for the sake of the county hunters is a worthwhile use of Twitter (as long as you're not in motion). But to disagree with that doesn't mean in any way that you're holding back the progress of the Amateur Radio Service.
73
Dan
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K4DPK on August 2, 2009
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There are two distinctly separate issues here:
1. Safety
2. Combining the use of internet with ham radio
These are becoming confused, and we’re losing sight of the very important aspect of whether ham radio might be caught up in the movement to make all driver-operated distractions illegal.
Irrespective how you feel about DX clusters, e-QSLs, CQ-100 and the like, thinking people must agree punching numbers on a keyboard is a distraction when driving.
None of us want the public to conclude our work as just another unsafe, number-punching distraction that should be made illegal.
That has the potential to eventually stop all of our mobile operating.
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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RE: Using Twitter isn't Childish, Grow Up OM
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by W7ETA on August 2, 2009
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Sounds like a novel solution to increase your FUN playing radio while mobile.
73
Bob
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RE: Using Twitter isn't Childish, Grow Up OM
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"
None of us want the public to conclude our work as just another unsafe, number-punching distraction that should be made illegal. "
Agreed.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K2WH on August 2, 2009
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RE: Reply by K2WH on August 2, 2009
Twitter's for kids and certainly not ham radio. Grow up. K2WH
You could not be more incorrect. You do however prove your missunderstanding of the concept.
Twitter is used by, Procter And Gambel, LexMark, Toyota, and a large number of govermental agencys. We use it to keep track of 65 people who are in/out of the office, in a meeting or on a job site. We also use it for a "heads up" on production changes (which happen hourly) and to keep people on the production floor in the loop.
No, Twitter, IS NOT, just for kids.
They use twitter because they are not hams and don't have 2 way radios so you do not understand my comment. This guy (ham) can call CQ on his 10 meter radio but decides to let everyone know where he will be using the internet. Big deal, lots of effort there, only a step up from Echolink. I hope he remembered to bring the mic or for that matter the radio.
K2WH
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by AI2IA on August 2, 2009
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The light turns green. The car ahead does not move for a full two minutes. The driver has to detach himself from whatever electronic gadget he just had to use while the light was red.
Mobile ham radio used to be distinguished from cell phone and other gadgetry in motor vehicles by the fact that it was a licensed stand alone communication. Now ... it has become ham radio plus ... Ham radio plus Twitter, Ham Radio plus cell phone, Ham radio plus GPS, Ham radio plus computer, Ham radio plus etc - all the while supposedly watching traffic, pedestrians, your own speedometer, oil pressure, engine temperature, rpm, rear view mirror or TV cameras, and listening to the passenger on the seat next to you, and looking at the scenery and the girls, and drinking bottled water, or coffee, and attempting HF DX, High Power HF DX, VHF, or UHF.
Oh! The light just turned green a few minutes ago. I better get going. I have to step on it.
How to live, but not for long.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF5KWO on August 2, 2009
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OK, folks, it's obvious I didn't fully explain my idea.
1. I certainly called CQ, on the frequency I specified, the entire trip. I also went up and down the band and was able to make contacts in the 10-10 contest. The purpose of using Twitter was to alert anyone interested in any of the specific counties that I was there, kind of like on the DX cluster - "this guy is on this frequency at this time." Example: Let's say you needed Waller County, just west of Houston. But rather than search up and down the band, not knowing where to find me or if good propagation even exists, you could look at my Twitter page and see where I am. Or better yet, you could get updates on your cell phone in the form of a text message so you can continue your daily routine at home (housework, yardwork, regular work, whatever
your weekend routine happens to be) without sitting at the radio all day long. You will have known exactly when I was in Waller County, and jumped on the air and hopefully heard me calling CQ. A nice chat could have ensued, you would have gotten that county, and all the
world is a happier place. That right there is the reason for updating Twitter with my county and frequency: to allow you, the fellow ham with plenty of work to do otherwise, to spend just a few minutes chasing that county. That is, unless, you'd like to
hunt up and down the band calling me, not knowing where I am, unsure of a band opening, etc.
2. It sounds like everyone thought I was texting away like a madman while flying down I-10 not watching traffic. Quite the opposite is true. I simply took the nearest exit ramp, sent my update via my phone, then got back on the highway. A few times I pulled off the highway onto the shoulder, but I think that can be unsafe. Taking the exit ramp and pulling off there is the way to go.
I certainly didn't mean to get everyone's blood in a boil, either with the safety concerns or the supposedly "not using RF to solicit contacts." The concept was simply to alert specific hams (county hunters) to the specific time when a specific county was active.
As a concept, I feel my idea is simply an extension of the DX cluster, only you can get an alert of your choosing while you tend to work and family, saving you lots of time.
73 de Jeff, KF5KWO
Helotes, TX
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N0AH on August 2, 2009
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Just another example of stupid people tricks- Har!
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N5ACK on August 2, 2009
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Assuming you are a passenger, then ok, but not my cup of tea. I like using the more traditional methods.
If, however, you are the driver and twittering while operating a vehicle, then you should have both your licenses revoked for pure stupidity.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 2, 2009
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Jeff,
I see you are enjoying the erudite opinions of the Lycopersicon-launching audience.
I did look up your web page and see that the "7 to 8 hours" refers to a round trip between San Antonio and Houston, thus explaining the length of time. That's a pleasant drive--until one nears the outskirts of Houston, hihi.
quote "kind of like on the DX cluster - "this guy is on this frequency at this time." Example: Let's say you needed Waller County, just west of Houston. But rather than search up and down the band, not knowing where to find me or if good propagation even exists, you could look at my Twitter page and see where I am. Or better yet, you could get updates on your cell phone in the form of a text message so you can continue your daily routine at home (housework, yardwork, regular work, whatever "
My weak understanding is that in some contests this is considered OK, in some it is not, and in the remainder it is a gray area.
Will you be participating in TQP coming up in September? I'll check the rules to see whether this is allowed (I don't believe it is, but I may be mistaken.)
I hope you write more articles. Your writing style is an enjoyable one for the reader.
73
LK
PS. Say 'hello' next time you are in Houston. Lots of good Hams in this area.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K2WH on August 2, 2009
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"The concept was simply to alert specific hams (county hunters) to the specific time when a specific county was active."
Well, county hunting is another thing. I have to ask though, how many hams do you know along the route and how many hams are using this thing Twitter? I would guess in the jargon, you have a bunch of 10 meter "Followers". Right?
K2WH
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by NY7Q on August 2, 2009
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oh for god's sake, its not even ham radio you edjet;
also very dangerous. I hope the county hunters realize you are doing a death defying act.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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OK guys, the author came back and told us that he wasn't texting while driving, so we can drop that ...
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF5KWO on August 2, 2009
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K5END,
I will be participating in the TQP, already made my reservation with the family for that weekend.
Regarding "spotting" in contests, you're right, I didn't think to check on this kind of thing being allowed in the 10-10 contest. Will check next time I go mobile to make sure I don't provide bogus contacts.
K2WH,
All I have in the car is an HTX-100 for 10m. And since I never used Twitter until this weekend, I have no followers that I know of. Anyone that does happen to decide to follow me will be sad when they realize that I'm not really worth following except when I'm mobile. I'm not a twitterer. Also, folks don't have to be just "along the way" between my way points. Twitter is a worldwide (kind of) thing, so virtually anyone can be alerted to an active county they need.
For all,
Verily, it's not everyone's cup of tea to use Twitter, that's for sure. I never used it until this weekend, and have no intention of using it for any other purpose except for mobile spotting. The Twitter phenomenon is all the rage, since lots of people have this urgent need to update the world on whenever they leave the house, go to the bathroom, or have a random thought. I can't even take my cell phone into work, so I won't be joining the throngs of Twitterers out there. And I only anticipate having "followers" whenever I announce I'm mobile somewhere. Maybe. Judging from the response here, probably won't be many ;-)
Regarding Twitter and hams in general, I don't expect there are a lot of hams using it at this time. I had no illusions about hams flocking to Twitter to track my progress from SA to Houston and back, was just suggesting a "mobile cluster" of sorts.
Anyway, I'll be mobile again, same route, same counties, next Sunday (09 August). If you are in need of the counties between San Antonio and Houston, I'll be CALLING CQ and tweeting as I enter each county -- off the exit ramp -- so you don't have to sit in front of the radio all day waiting to possibly hear me, with no idea of what freq I'm on. Seatbelt on, doors locked. :-)
Many thanks to those with positive, or at least civil, responses. It was nice to have an island of sugar in a sea of...not sugar.
And I almost forgot - thanks for the new names! I grew tired of "Jeff" or "KF5KWO", so I'm glad a few hams were able to do some mental cogitation and come up with a few new names for me. Hope I don't wake you up on the wrong side of the bed again :-)
73 de Jeff, KF5KWO
Helotes, TX
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KD8OK on August 2, 2009
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I personally think that this is a really great idea. I just wish I would have thought of it.
Have fun with it and keep it up. I hope that this catches on with more people.
Oh, and for those that think twitter is for kids, most kids use facebook, not twitter.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF5KWO on August 2, 2009
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Sorry, forgot to say: My mobile shack is a 2001 Honda CRV.
73 de Jeff, KF5KWO
Helotes, TX
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K9FON on August 2, 2009
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I think we all should forget internet and cell phones and just go back to using rotary phones on a party line. While we are at that, we need to get rid of our digital flat screen TV sets and go back to all tube black and white console sets, and listen to our faveorite tunes on our 8 tracks and lp 33 records. Oh, and sell our new cars and drive around in our caburated gas guzzlers.
Geeezz people, with all the complaing about Twitter, facebook, cell phones, internet and I-pods you would think hams hate anything that is new technology!
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K9CTB on August 2, 2009
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Good idea for county-hunting as well as other stuff, Jeff. For all we know, you're making a short stop in order to do all that "twittering" or whatever it's called hihi.
I used to love 10 meter mobile operation a few years back, because it was cheap. I had a converted Cobra CB - I think it was a 140GTL - and an illegal (for them) CB amp. I remember building an output filter from the Handbook, and it winded up costing me 3dB, but at least I felt better about my signal! Some of us had found out by accident that the old Hustler 2 meter mobile collinear vertical (CGT-144, still in production) would also resonate (?) on 10 meters! If you had good bonding to the car chassis and a good coaxial switch, you were in business on 2 bands! It was great fun then, but I sort of feel like a piker now compared to the efficient mobile setups guys are running nowadays. In fact Alan, K0BG and others have interesting articles on the very thing around here someplace. Anyway, I really enjoyed it when the 10/10 club was a really big thing. (do they still do that?)
It would have been even more fun if we'd have had something like twitter or even APRS to sort of "set up" contacts in advance along our travel route.
Thanks again for a good idea.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K9FON on August 2, 2009
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Jeff. I dont use Twitter but if i did, i would have made an effort to give you a contact.
Oh BTW, just ignore the jerks on here calling you names. I already have a name for those guys, but its not something i want to post public! :-)
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N4CQR on August 3, 2009
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Some of you folks are a really sad lot..
C r a i g
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by NZ4O on August 3, 2009
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I've always been an excellent driver. When I went through the police academy I was #1 in the driving class.
In 37 years of driving I've had one "not at fault" crash and only one speeding ticket. With my driving skill I've avoided many crashes.
Having said all of that if I use my cell phone when driving my driving skill goes down the toilet. So I let the XYL do the cell phoning.
I just can't imagine twittering or texting while driving. When I hear or see the word twitter I can't help but think of the word twit!
73 & GUD DX,
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
http://www.nz4o.com
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by WW5AA on August 3, 2009
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Well...when driving in Texas, I just stop at a rest station (all have wi fi) and bring up the DX cluster. My APRS mobile is a digi and igate when in wi fi range. Then if there is something on any band I just go for it. I usually do not have to resort to this since I can't remember not making a lot of contacts even on 10 and 6 meters. Have fun!
73 de Lindy
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by WA7NCL on August 3, 2009
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Nobody calls CQ any more because nobody listens anymore. They are all on eham here posting flames.
With activity down and the ham population (at least on HF) less active and more distracted, new ways to make more contacts and activity are to be encouraged.
BTW, isn't tuning around on an HF rig and trying to call CQ while driving, distracting?
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by N2UGB on August 3, 2009
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I signed up once for Twitter and Facebook. Forty-eight hours later asked myself what the heck I was doing there. Pulled out. No regrets.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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> "Geeezz people, with all the complaing about Twitter, facebook, cell phones, internet and I-pods you would think hams hate anything that is new technology! "
Yep.
Suppose I sked a QSO with an OM in a county, state or DX I'm hunting many miles away.
How is a routable protocol service different than using a telephone, email or snail mail?
If you call the other Ham long distance, chances are you are VOIP anyway and not even aware of it.
As long as someone isn't breaking contest rules or creating a traffic hazard, I say, "go for it."
One of the first things I ever heard on HF after I was licensed was two OM on 80 m between Hondo (near Austin) and Houston. The QRN and QSB were pretty bad. Finally, one of the guys said, "heck Walter, just send me an email."
When one forgets this is a hobby, one tends to become a flame thrower. As long as no one is breaking rules or causing a hazard, lighten up.
Zeal is an admirable quality, unless it is misplaced.
However, there is a use for this sort of diligence.
Read on.
Some of the "experts" who dispense their wisdom (like the emperor wears his new clothes) here on eham or on their own web pages have given some DANGEROUSLY incorrect opinions about grounding and RF exposure, and not so long ago.
Don't just take someones word posted on the internet as factual, especially when it concerns your safety.
Just because some OFs have adamant, unwavering opinions and they have been hams since the day after radio was invented doesn't mean doo-doo for their technical credibility. But no one seems to want to take them to task. I don't argue with them (anymore) because it doesn't do any good. I just hope no one gets hurt by taking the poor advice.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by AJ4MJ on August 3, 2009
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Jeff-
I'm surprised noone chastised you for driving around with your fly open. After all, you didn't state in the article that you had zipped your fly prior to starting the trip, so we have to assume you didn't :-)
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by W1XZ on August 3, 2009
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Take some time to learn the propagation characteristics of 10 meters. Is it e skip season? Is there a MUF that supports f layer propagation on 28 MHZ? Can you listen to 11 meters to see if the band is open to somewhere? Can you copy cw enough to catch the location or call of a 10 meter beacon?
I'm not saying what you are doing is wrong; just perhaps unnecessary. Though you are combining retro nerd with contemporary dork quite nicely. Keep up the ham radio spirit...perhaps a hard hat with a yellow beacon atop (for safety of course) would further drive the chicks wild.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by WA4JM on August 3, 2009
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When mobile texting is outlawed, only cops will be mobile texting!
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by WD8T on August 3, 2009
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Nothing left to do here but watch the buzzards pick at the carcas. WOW.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by WI7B on August 3, 2009
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Not to even deal wiht the legal or safety issue of texting while driving, my question is whay stop at annoucing your presence in a county?
Why not just Twitter the whole QSO?
I think a texted signal report would be clearer to read and recorded easily as you drive. Scratching voice on 10m is pretty unbearable after 7-8 hours. Just Tweet!
73,
---* Ken
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by AB7E on August 3, 2009
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A. Let's say that KF5KWO announces ahead of time (via email to one of the reflectors or on a web site or via a notice to some newsletter) the date and times that he's going to be operating from a few counties in Texas. Anyone have a problem with that? If so, you have a much greater target audience for your displeasure than KF5KWO.
B. Next, let's say that I make a cluster announcement that KF5KWO is traveling through Texas and is currently in such-and-such county. Anyone have a problem with that? If so, your target audience just got a whole lot bigger. This is just a semi real time version of (A).
C. Now then, let's say that KF5KWO pulls off the highway to call me on his cell phone each time he arrives in a new county, and I then post that information to the cluster. Anyone have a problem with that? If so, please explain.
D. Finally, let's say that KF5KWO pulls off the highway to send a Twitter announcement (a text message to a web site that isn't a cluster) via his cell phone each time he arrives in a new county. Anyone see a difference between that and (C) above? If so, please explain.
Contrary to the technophobic responses here, I can't find anything fundamentally different between what KF5KWO has suggested and that which goes on in different forms (clusters, skeds, DX or USA-CA bulletins) thousands of times each day.
73,
Dave AB7E
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by KC8RWR on August 3, 2009
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Wow, let's chase away another Ham! Keep it up till they are all gone!
I can see politely suggesting he have a passenger do the twittering or he pull over each time but there is no excuse for jumping on him when you didn't know his actual plans. As he ended up pointing out, he did pull over. There is nothing wrong with that. Also, no one on the list knew he didn't have a passenger to do this. No one really cares how many air heads have almost run you over while they clicked away at their cellphones. There was no evidence he was one of them.
The APRS suggestion was a good one. It isn't a good reason to say he shouldn't Twitter. He may not have a dedicated APRS device available to him. We can't all run out and buy a Byonics tracker or one of those nice Kenwood mobiles on a whim. If you can then please, buy me one! :-)
Can you imagine him rigging up a laptop with soundmodem or AWGPE in his passenger seat if so many are worried just about him Twittering? Still, it is a good idea and I too would recommend APRS if he can get it set up in a way that doesn't take away from driving.
There is nothing wrong with him using Twitter if that's what he wants to do though. He's really just providing a service for those Hams who are looking to make their contacts. If someone wants that contact and whatever they intend to submit it to allows that in the rules his Twitter feed is there for them. If someone doesn't like that they don't have to use it. His twitter feed is not going to take away from the rest of ham radio in any way whatsoever.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by K4DPK on August 3, 2009
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There are predictions of 18 million folks using Twitter by the end of 2010 (source: mashable.com). This doesn't count other texting media, so who knows the real total.
Hams or not, I don't think any of us seriously believe every one of those who are driving will pull over while engaged in texting.
I think it's a matter of time til the governments restrict distracting activities while driving, and I would certainly hate for ham radio mobile operation to be caught up in that frenzy.
I think it's commendable the author drives safely. Unfortunately, not everyone will follow his example.
My concern had nothing to do with whether Twittering or any other internet protocol should be interfaced with ham radio.
Almost every time I get out, I see people driving while dialing or texting, or someone in a big way of talking on a phone who is obviously not paying attention. This isn't safe, and everyone knows it.
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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Don't mix Twitter texting and Mobile Operation
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by WI7B on August 3, 2009
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My comment is meant to be in line with that of K4DPK. The point is not about interfacing technologies or using tehcnologies with ham radio, in general.
It is specifically about encouraging mobile activities which make ham radio "guilty by association" in the eyes of the motoring public or lawmakers.
While texting is not YET illegal in the State of Texas, it is in many states. what do you say to the trooper when he pulls you over and you have both a cellphone text box open and a ham radio microphone in your hand? You were using BOTH in the pursuit of you hobby?
Just Twitter, and leave the mobile rig off. Or, communicate via ham radio while driving. Don't confound the two.
73,
---* Ken
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by W1XZ on August 3, 2009
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Well put....If we keep on texting and tweeting and gabbing on the cell while driving before long enough accidents will cause us to lose the ability to have mobile operations on radio frequencies in a moving vehicle.
There is nothing wrong with announcing your availability to contact anyone on any frequency via any medium. It Just seems silly to some of us.
Geek on.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by WA8MEA on August 3, 2009
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On our family trips and vacations, we like to play a little game while traveling down the interstates.
It's called:
"Wireless, Whopper, Whiskey or White Hair"....
Every time we see someone weaving in and out of traffic, each of our family members yells out a guess as to what is causing them to wander....
Cellphone/texting
Eating while driving
Drunk driving
Just friggin' too old to be on the road....
We can generally get a visual on three out of the four activities. If we don't see burgers, cellphones or an old geezer/blue haired lady....we simply assume; DRUNK.
It's fun and educational! Try it on your next family outing!
73, Bill - WA8MEA
"Just havin' HamRadioFun.com"
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF5KWO on August 3, 2009
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Some of you no doubt didn't see my addition - I did _not_ do the twitter thing while driving, and I definitely wasn't waiting for folks to call me; I was calling CQ on the specified freq (and other places as well) and participating in the 10-10 contest. Twitter certainly isn't for everyone, but it might provide a service to a few.
///KC8RWR said: Wow, let's chase away another Ham! Keep it up till they are all gone! ///
Thanks for your support! But I've been a ham since 1996 or so, started as a Novice. None of these "gentlemen" could chase away a stray dog, let alone me.
AB7E's post nicely makes a comparison between the various ways we announce ourselves (or get announced) and my idea which I put forth in the article. It's just another way of announcing ourselves. Wish I would have opened my article with something like that!
So...I hope my explanations have cleared up misunderstandings. I hope blood pressure readings have returned to normal by now. But I'll be sure to check all packages that arrive at my house :-)
73 de Jeff
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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Ahhh, yes.
Nothing like a good, thoughtful article someone
TOOK THE TIME
to write for you ungrateful Philistines--just to fuel the flamers and awaken the self-endorsed critics from their Nosferatu-like brain dormancy.
Based on his comment in the article, (made before any of you guys had a chance to flame) "7 or 8 hours," the man had to stop to tweet.
Do the math (those of you who got past the first grade) and you'll see that adding a few minutes for a stop at each county line along Interstate 10 makes for roughly a 7.5 hour (round) trip from San Antonio to Houston.
Let me make it easier to understand for those who don't catch on to things very quickly.
For this to have been an 8 hour round trip, his average speed would have been 48 miles per hour.
If you drive 48 mph on an interstate in Texas, you are more hazardous than a texting drunk driver.
Based on the fact the man survived to tell the tale, he had to stop for a minimum amount of time along the way.
Maybe he drank too much coffee and that is why he stopped so much, you say?
Well, maybe he tweeted while relieving himself. It only takes one hand to text on a cell phone; am I right? Either way, he still stopped the vehicle.
Moreover, the speed limit for everything West of Waller and Fort Bend County to the Eastern outskirts of San Antonio is 70 miles per hour. This is 22 mph FASTER than his average speed.
That's all the evidence I need to know the man is honest, and therefore I take him at his word that he did stop to make the posts.
Is it starting to sink in now?
No?
Give it some more time. Maybe it will eventually ooze in and permeate the thick skull.
Here is some advice for the boors.
You want good articles?
If so, quit flaming the authors.
If you don't like an article, stop reading it.
It's really not that complicated.
Just stop reading something you don't like.
It's EASY.
"Spin the knob," as they say.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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Jeff,
Except for the times next weekend for which I am previously engaged, I will be looking for your posts and trying to work you on whatever band you choose during your drive.
73
LK
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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Wait...next weekend is Summerfest in Austin.
Jeff, you'll be driving the other way, right? :)
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by WI7B on August 3, 2009
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I read your comment:
"2. It sounds like everyone thought I was texting away like a madman while flying down I-10 not watching traffic. Quite the opposite is true. I simply took the nearest exit ramp, sent my update via my phone, then got back on the highway. A few times I pulled off the highway onto the shoulder, but I think that can be unsafe. Taking the exit ramp and pulling off there is the way to go."
I believe you are be absolutely disingenuous. You did not imply this at all UNTIL your received some scathing criticism.
Just look at the title of your article: "Using Twitter DURING (my caps) Mobile Operation". It's not, for example "Using Twitter to Update Your Mobile Position", its DURING MOBILE OPERATION.
73,
---* Ken
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by W7ETA on August 3, 2009
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I don't like beets, vile, loathsome, odious, disgusting, barf balls!
SO. I don't eat 'em.
Can't say I ever worried if anyone else ate them.
Wouldn't even consider telling someone else they shouldn't eat feted tasting roots.
I don't chase counties; don't have a mobile rig; don't twitter.
If a fellow ham enjoys county hunting, mobile Qs, twitters what county he is in, have at it OT!
If you don't like what he does don't work him--don't do what he did.
Quit complaining and pass the buttered parsnips.
Best from HOT and Humid Tucson
Bob
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KE4EX on August 3, 2009
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I have to agree with other comment's about texting while driving. Not looking at the roadway long enough to TWEET or TEXT, is asking for trouble.
As a police officer, I strongly, no, highly reccomend, not doing anything that will take your eyes off the road, that my friend, is looking for a problem......
In Virginia is is a violation of State code.
73 Ira ke4ex
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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"I believe you are be absolutely disingenuous. You did not imply this at all UNTIL your received some scathing criticism. "
"you are be?"
Ohhhkay.
Actually, he did imply it in the article by stating beforehand how long it took to make the drive.
Read the posts immediately above yours for the math and explanation.
It's not rocket science.
Why would you accuse him of lying without even knowing the facts one way or the other?
The acerbic criticism of this article and inappropriate and personal comments made toward the author are like bugs on a windshield.
The comments, like bug guts, are unpleasant, unsolicited and unwelcome.
They don't do anyone any good and they are gone and forgotten within a short time.
The only one really hurt is the stupid, brainless bug who would have been better off keeping his unpleasant guts to himself.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF5KWO on August 3, 2009
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WI7B said:
//Just look at the title of your article: "Using Twitter DURING (my caps) Mobile Operation". It's not, for example "Using Twitter to Update Your Mobile Position", its DURING MOBILE OPERATION. //
OK, Ken, I'll play your semantics game. My title/article should have been clearer, but I've certainly clarified the subject matter since (please find my additions in the midst of the comments). Congratulations on your Superior Dance, though, really. Nothin' but love for ya!
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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Ken, do you use any of these cell phone interfaces from your web page "during" mobile operation?
http://wi7b.org/Cellphones%20in%20Service%20to%20Amateur%20Radio.htm
Let me guess.
You just use these while stationary in parking lots, right?
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF5KWO on August 3, 2009
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W1XZ said:
//Take some time to learn the propagation characteristics of 10 meters. Is it e skip season? Is there a MUF that supports f layer propagation on 28 MHZ? Can you listen to 11 meters to see if the band is open to somewhere? Can you copy cw enough to catch the location or call of a 10 meter beacon? I'm not saying what you are doing is wrong; just perhaps unnecessary. Though you are combining retro nerd with contemporary dork quite nicely. Keep up the ham radio spirit...perhaps a hard hat with a yellow beacon atop (for safety of course) would further drive the chicks wild.//
Yeah, I drive the girlies absolutely wild, regaling them with stories of DX contacts, contests, and propagation. That really gets them going!
As to your points, perhaps the "Twitter" aspect of my article leads you and others to believe I'm a youngster just coming into amateur radio. Not so. :-) 10 is actually my favorite band because of the up-and-down aspect, been on it, mostly mobile in the car, since returning from overseas in 2003. Your points are pretty much what I do. I have to confess that the nerd factor is pretty high on this end though. All my life :-( Thanks for the kind words.
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 3, 2009
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.
>"drive the chicks wild"
the only thing any nerd, geek, ham or other repulsive, non-babe-magnet need do is get a guitar and learn some easy 5th chords.
that will offset the electronics factor that repels, well, females.
the fine foxes will be stalkin' ya.
hold out for a rich one to buy you a large QTH with antenna farm etc.
and she will do something very special for you while you drive down the highway.
she will...yes, truly, she will...
do your "twitter" while you're 'easin' down the highway in your new cadillac.' (bfg)
problem solved!
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PLANKEYE
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by PLANKEYE on August 4, 2009
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Whenever I get on the road, I jump on my 10M rig.
________________
PLANKEYE:
Jeff, the next time you get on the road, jump on your 10M Rig!!
You folks are silly.
THINK!!
PLANKEYE
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The Horse is Dead.
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by W0JRM on August 5, 2009
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A guy writes an article about "spotting" yourself on Twitter. A very interesting and worthwhile concept. The bulk of replies are "don't do that, it's unsafe" and "just get on the radio and call CQ."
How about actually contributing to the thread instead of acting like the guy's mother? Good grief. The guy didn't ask for your opinion about his driving habits, he simply pointed out an useful way to notify others of his operating frequency/position while out and about.
He's looking to contact specific people. He's merely saying, "Hey, I'm here now. Keep an ear out." Sounds smart to me. Then the people looking for him won't have to wonder if he's calling and they can't hear him, or if he's not on at all.
Learn the propagation characteristics so that you know exactly when and where to transmit to guarantee success? Yeah right. People, we're looking to have fun, not study for an EE degree. If you want to do that, great. If not, that's just as well. It's a flipping HOBBY. It's about having FUN, not being master of all things electron-related.
Threads like this make me wonder why people even bother to contribute to this site in the first place. I rarely visit here because all most authors get in return for their efforts is a bunch of vitriolic nonsense.
If the moderators and operators of this site want to ensure its success, they'd best implement some sort of moderation system to make sure the content is worthwhile and not a bunch of petty sniping.
(Yes, I realize the irony of my comment.)
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eHam article FAIL: Sorry Jeff, you asked for it
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by W4UDX on August 5, 2009
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Jeff,
This "article" deserves another:
"When being slapped, you'll take it and you'll like it"!
(Quote from the Maltese Falcon)
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K5END on August 5, 2009
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>>"Learn the propagation characteristics so that you know exactly when and where to transmit to guarantee success?"
That would a pretty good trick.
I'm with you on the hobby aspect, but there are a few eggheads who enjoy the egghead factor. I like the egghead factor, but not sure if I qualify for the level of eggheadedness. I'm just interested in all kinds of stuff.
Having said that (and speaking as an armchair egghead) my opinion of predicting, much less guaranteeing propagation success is a toss of the dice--at best.
Not even the most informed experts (I've met a couple) on plane wave propagation in low-density ionized gases (such as within and of the E and F layers) can guarantee success much more than to say, "when solar radiation is higher, especially in the UV band, the 'plasma frequency' and the ion density to collision frequency ratio will allow better reflection and refraction at increased frequencies, however with the high UV and X-ray radiation increased the D layer (daytime only) will have a gas density such that the collision frequency will present significant losses on lower bands, such as 160 meters and the AM broadcast bands.
In other words, it's like the weatherman saying it will be cold next winter. Remember to bundle up, now and then, as needed.
Contrary to popular, uninformed belief, it is not the sunspots themselves that cause better propagation.
The sunspots are just an indicator of something else going on (that you cannot see with the naked eye) that causes our ionosphere to work for us.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KD4LLA on August 5, 2009
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I once watched a traffic light go through two cycles while "looking at the scenery and the girls."
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by W7ETA on August 6, 2009
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Did you spot them on a DX cluster or twitter about them?
Bob
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RE: The Horse is Dead.
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by N3OX on August 6, 2009
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"How about actually contributing to the thread instead of acting like the guy's mother? Good grief. The guy didn't ask for your opinion about his driving habits"
Peoples' driving habits affect my ability to continue living, and to continue having the full use of my faculties.
And I've seen people drive and text and weave because they're driving and texting. They are damned dangerous individuals.
It turns out that KF5KWO does indeed have the good sense to protect his life and the lives of others by appropriately pulling over in a safe location to send his text messages. But that was not clear from the original title or article.
This is actually a serious problem, and I think it's a problem well beyond the "general distractions" of talking on a hands free or taking a drink from a cup of soda or having a kid bouncing around in the back seat.
I think that things that require a great deal of fine motor control of one hand while another foot and hand engage in a fine motor control task that's completely independent of the first is particularly distracting. I know it is for me. Add to that the time it takes to enter the message and the occasional look to make sure the T9 text entry got it right, and you have a real menace.
It's not leaning over to adjust the volume on your car stereo. It's more like programming your clock while you ride down the highway.
I think people should take the time to read subsequent comments for errata. But I think the anger and vitriol and fear of legal consequences to regular mobile operation are totally appropriate when directed toward someone who texts and drives.
And maybe we should all have a warm optimism instead of a blind rage toward an author who doesn't make it clear in the article that that's not the case. But I see people texting and driving who I'm sure are only delusional dumbasses in small subsets of their daily behavior, and aren't generally bad people, just specifically moronic when it comes to what you can actually do in a car while you're also trying to pilot it.
These are otherwise normal, probably reasonably intelligent and decent people who don't actually realize that they're weaving quite as much as they are. Some of them probably only do it "sometimes," not realizing that it's probably more dangerous to do so than to be a seasoned veteran with lots of practice.
I think this is a natural response to an article entitled "Using Twitter DURING Mobile Operation." I suppose it might not seem that way to someone who lives in an area where common sense seems to prevail.
I suspect that driving-while-texting morons are probably a fixed fraction of the population, and if you don't live in a densely populated area you don't find many of them. But they're not unicorns or the tooth fairy. They exist and make me, and others, fearful and angry.
73
Dan
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Why not just....
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by KASSY on August 6, 2009
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Why not just add a few more bands to the mobile rig? 20 and 40 are open 24 hours a day. Then you can do "real" ham radio, where you find your QSOs right on the bands where you work them, instead of having to LEAVE ham radio to make a ham radio contact.
- k
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Twitter and APRS
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by AE5HO on August 6, 2009
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This sound interesting -- what about setting up a server to connect twitter to the APRS network. We could then let the folks around with APRS receivers know when we twitter while we are driving down the road.
BTW, has anyone see those silly little notices that warn not to drive your car with the windshield blocked by your sunshade?
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RE: Twitter and APRS
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by N3OX on August 6, 2009
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"This sound interesting -- what about setting up a server to connect twitter to the APRS network. We could then let the folks around with APRS receivers know when we twitter while we are driving down the road. "
You can do it the other way around and auto-update twitter with your APRS:
http://www.eham.net/forums/APRS/1495
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RE: Twitter and APRS
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by AE5HO on August 6, 2009
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Hmm -- I thought I'd be flamed for mentioning Twitter and APRS in the same post. The thread you posted looks very interesting. I wonder if one could create an APRS gateway for SMS using Google Voice APIs as well.
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RE: Twitter and APRS
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by KA1GMN on August 6, 2009
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Funny you should mention this.
I have been working on a script that would do just that. I need a list of the local digital repeaters in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.
Should I use WIDE-2 or WIDE-3? After all, we want to make our activities known to all. As soon as you provide me with a list of the local digital repeaters, I'll get it up on line and let her rip.
BTW, should the Twits message include a control-g at the end of the text to alert all stations of an arrival of a twit message to the node?
Sorry, I will not be able to GPL the code.
philw
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RE: Twitter and APRS
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by W5HTW on August 6, 2009
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...
Uh, I think you guys have been taken in. This whole thread is a joke, right?
...
Ed
...
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by PULLRAFTT on August 7, 2009
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Sure, twitter while you drive. There's a fine suggestion. Just because many states have outlawed cell phones and texting while driving shouldn't stop us.
STUPID IDEA.
-zw
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KF4PGV on August 7, 2009
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The replys to this sound alot like the code or no code debate(safety concerns aside).Back in the day,our grandfathers thought pounding a code on 160 or 80 meters was the cats meow.Fast foward to today and its EME,moonbounce,APRS,packet,satellite and having a QSO with a crewmember of the space station.Who woulda thunk!New uses for technology are found all the time.If you subscribe to it or not,you still have to respect it.Maybe something like this could bring some new blood into the ham radio hobby.Kinda like that code thing.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by WA9PIE on August 9, 2009
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Interesting. Posting things on the eham forum almost guarantees that you get attacked - no matter what you say.
If you say you wanna use Twitter within ham radio, you'll get one of two reactions:
1) You're an idiot for using Twitter. We're ham radio purists - using the Internet as part of ham radio is not consistent with the spirit of ham radio. Besides, it's dangerous.
2) That's genious!! It's such a good idea, I'm going to try it. Let me know when you're out there again and I'll work you.
It's really kind-of absurd - but you could write anything here and you will get attacked by at least 50% of those who comment.
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K2GW on August 10, 2009
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If you're not stopped and parked while sending a tweet, e-mail, or text message in New Jersey, you're broken the law and can be pulled over and get a traffic ticket.
It's this type of message sending behavior that led to our current "electronic device use prohibited" while driving" law. It was only through the extensive efforts of many hams in New Jersey that we were able to get the Amateur Radio transceivers themselves exempted from the prohibition.
So the unplanned consequences of tweeting about your location while driving in other states might be an eventual prohibition of the amateur mobile operation that you're tweaking about in the first place!
Drive carefully!
73
Gary, K2GW
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RE: Using Twitter During Mobile Operation-Deadly
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by N6HPX on August 15, 2009
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Well alot of Hams are doing Twitter these days just like alot of the guys/gals in the old days learned and passed the tests for code, as the saying goes it was a good idea at the time and worth doing.
Seen alot of faces on twitter and facebook and also other groups so if you want to join its up to you but its like all the other groups out here like yahoogroups where ones can post about the latests catches or code comments etc.
73 from Marine mobile
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by K2JX on August 23, 2009
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Hey Jeff,
Come with me sometime when your on Long Island and as a member of the local PD I'll escort you through the county impound yard. We have just a few mangled cars, SUV's and trucks whose drivers are no longer with us.
They were texting, twiting,or yaking while driving instead of driving and paying attention. Or a innocent driver doing the right thing was killed by another driver who didn't know that a car is not an office or a phone booth.
Ridiculous post.
73/de K2JX
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Using Twitter During Mobile Operation
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by KG4TKC on August 29, 2009
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"2. It sounds like everyone thought I was texting away like a madman while flying down I-10 not watching traffic. Quite the opposite is true. I simply took the nearest exit ramp, sent my update via my phone, then got back on the highway. A few times I pulled off the highway onto the shoulder, but I think that can be unsafe. Taking the exit ramp and pulling off there is the way to go."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
KF5WKO,
Hi, I finally started laughing at all the 'don't tweet and drive' comments that followed your disclaimer. I do not see how you could have made it more crystal clear that you did not intend for anyone to 'tweet and drive'. You even went so far as to note that you yourself felt it was best to take an exit to do your tweeting rather than pull off beside the interstate highway. I guess your article just released those 'don't tweet and drive pent-up posts' in a bunch of folks,,:) Thanks for the article,it was interesting.
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