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| Reviews Summary for QSOnet CQ100 |
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Reviews: 36
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Average rating: 3.7/5
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MSRP: $$32.00 US per year
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Description: Virtual Ionosphere for Amateur Radio. An internet based HF simulation system.
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More info: http://www.qsonet.com
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You can
write your own review of the QSOnet CQ100.
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K5UJ
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Rating: 3/5
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Jun 12, 2008 05:39
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Does not make sense
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm giving it a 3 because I have to assign some number evaluation and I want to make mine one that will not bring the average up or down. That's because I'm not a QsoNET user but rather an observer due to the fact that I have several friends who use it.
Having given that caveat, there are several things about qsoNET that do not make sense to me, all based on the fact that as a VOIP system, it is free from US Part 97 and all the other ham radio regulations we must abide by in our respective countries. Yet, the management mandates all of these "over the air" type requirements which I find silly. These partly defeat the purpose and advantage of VOIP-it's as if the FCC imposed all of the terrestrial broadcast rules on satellite radio and cable television--it would make no sense. Because of this a big incentive to use QSOnet is gone; one may as well operate on the real ham bands where the rules have to be followed and where they are needed.
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N0JYC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 1, 2008 13:55
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It must be down today...
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Also tried to log on today. It must be down. This is not ham radio. But, its something else that is fun. Try it and use it for what it is...I find it to be a lot of fun.
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KU2US
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 1, 2008 10:11
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CANNOT ACCESS
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I would like to try this, but the website is down? I tried over 10 times..or are they just out of business? Tried google and yahoo searches with no success including the address at the top of this page. NOW, it is NOT ham radio, but where can you talk to other ops over wires for almost free? (for about .09 cents a day?)..All over the world? Try that with your telephone. Ham radio can never be replaced by this VoIP, but it maybe fun, thats why a "5" for the software concept and ingenuity.
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OE3SGU
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Rating: 0/5
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Jun 1, 2008 00:30
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Whats its purpose?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Others already said it. Its not Ham Radio. I cant find any purpose in this programme. The only thing it would perhaps be good for is to train newcomers before they come to the bands. But our hobby is still called Amateur RADIO, not Amateur CHATGROUP or Amateur MESSENGER or whatever. Learn how to use your gear and you will have mor fun!
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VE3TMT
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Rating: 0/5
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May 31, 2008 20:11
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NOT HAM RADIO!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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"MADE MORE FRIENDS IN 3 MONTHS,THEN 40+ YRS IN AMATEUR RADIO. YOU DO THE MATH..."
Maybe you need to get on the radio more or try putting your antennas above ground. CQ100 is nothing more than in internet chat group disguised as ham radio. If it were free, I'd give it a 3, but paying $32/yr for this is nuts. If it is the best you can do in this hobby, maybe you need another hobby. A piece of wire in a tree and a HW101 are more exciting. I uninstalled as quickly as I could.
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N2RJ
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Rating: 3/5
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May 31, 2008 20:04
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A boon for HOAs and condo nazis
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just think of it - when the HOAs get a wind of this, they'll be the first to tell you, "See, you guys don't need those big ugly antennas to enjoy ham radio!"
Sounds like a nice concept, so I'll give it a 3, but at the same time, IT'S NOT HAM RADIO.
I'll stick to my ugly towers and large antennas, thanks very much.
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MAZZ1232002
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Rating: 0/5
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Apr 21, 2008 10:04
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does not do a thing for me
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This would be about as exciting as talking on a telephone conference call with speaker phones. Nothing has the magic of ham radio period. Just my opinion.
Pete
WB4CGA
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N0JYC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 21, 2008 05:42
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Not Really Ham Radio...But Really a Lot of Fun!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Anyone who has tried this neat system knows exactly what it is before they try it. Its VOIP. Not ham radio. But it's hams talking to hams from around the world with crystal clear "QSOs." I've made many friends here and enjoy the QRM -free ragchews. I've found this to be a superbly engineered product, that apparently isn't for everybody, but has added a lot of fun and excitement to my shack for a very reasonable cost.
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G4VKE
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 21, 2008 00:57
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Doesn't pretend to be radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I tried CQ100 after seeing an article in 'RadCom'. I have no HF gear, and for the amount of time I would have available to operate HF it wouldn't be worth paying out for it. I have very little room for antennas, and so CQ100 is ideal for me. I'm not a constructor, I don't experiment, but I do like a ragchew! So there aren't many operators on most of the time, well try the HF bands. When they are open most operators only want the '59 OM next please' type of qso. My local repeater is dead most of the time, and only has the few regular operators, and while not knocking them at all, you do run out of things to say sometimes! Every station contacted on CQ100 has had a nice long chat, and I have yet to hear any bad operating. OK, so it's not radio, but making it available to hams only does help restrict it. I subscribed straight away, $32 well spent. Like most things, if you don't like it, don't use it.
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N7BNT
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 18, 2008 09:18
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5+ Stars for this imaginitive and polished product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I stumbled upon QSOnet CQ100 after I saw it mentioned on an email reflector I subscribe to.
I was stunned at how nice it is! Beyond that, I think the whole idea of this product is innovative and imaginative, while it's implementation across multiple servers is brilliant. CQ100 reeks of pride and a labor of love by the developer, it is a very polished application with huge attention to even the smallest detail. As a software developer, it is clear to me that a ridiculous number of hours have been spent by the developer making CQ100 and it's supporting network a reality.
Reading several of the other reviews here left me quite puzzled - some reviewers seem confused about the concept of a ** simulator **.
CQ100 reminds me of another amazing (and inexpensive) simulator: X-Plane Flight Simulator. Even though it is an amazingly accurate flight simulator, it would never replace real flying (nor was it ever intended to). But when I'm not flying a real airplane, X-Plane is an excellent alternative. The real thing and the simulator co-exist nicely and cooperatively as they should... (plus I can hone certain flying skills and try things safely in the simulator that I would never try in real flight... imagine landing a Boeing 777 at a tiny neighborhood airstrip!) Plus, I suspect that many, many, many non-pilots purchase X-Plane just for the pure enjoyment of "flying" a plane virtually. (p.s. I have no financial interest in X-Plane, I'm just a long-time customer)
And so it should be with a radio simulator, and I believe CQ100 is definitely on the right track. Using it will be in addition to, and not as a substitute for, actual radio operation for me.
In the best of all worlds, enough people will open their minds to having FUN with CQ100, will find innovative and unique ways of using it, and will share a couple bucks a month with the developer so it can grow and expand.
Should a ham license be required to use it? Of course not... flight simulators do not require a pilot's license. Should there be rules and guidelines for users? Of course there should... to make the experience positive for all. Having a purchase price/subscription fee will serve nicely as a "filter" to keep many of the idiots away.
I found a very nice headset to use with CQ100: a Plantronics DSP 500 works great.
Check it out! CQ100 is free to use for 3 months, then about the cost of a half-cup of Starbucks a month to keep. I strongly recommend CQ100 and hope that it continues to grow and evolve.
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