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Author Topic: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail  (Read 11561 times)

SOFAR

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #30 on: August 17, 2016, 02:15:35 PM »

I was on CB for a short time in the 90s, it was just about unusable during the day (skip).

Took the exams 2 years ago, not really active. Not sure what direction I'm going to take, if any.

Thinking about MURS, or another unlicensed service.
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N1FM

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #31 on: August 17, 2016, 05:09:10 PM »

 Is the smart phone ham radios death knell?

This is actually a good question. I operate much less now than I did before the Internet got faster sometime in the 90's. With my latest smart phone, my time on the air has lessened even more. There are more distractions to take me away from ham radio.

I have Facebook and all the other apps, and I can surf the net on my phone, or watch Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime. I can buy things online. I can listen to Howard Stern or YouTube.

Are these alternatives killing ham radio? I don't know, but I do think it's becoming a 'quaint an old fashioned hobby' like stamp collecting in the minds of most kids. It's something grandpa does in the basement with his nerdy radio friends and their strange and secret language. Much less sexy than Call of Duty, Tumblr, Reddit, and many other things that weren't even available just 10 years ago.

Of course, the Prepper movement and the Orange Vest guys might be keeping the license numbers up, but what about the art and science of radio, design, and the art of conversation? Interesting questions to ponder, and I'm sure the ARRL marketing department's asking the same kinds of questions.

Tom
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KC8KTN

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #32 on: August 17, 2016, 09:41:42 PM »

 Thanks N1FM. A great reply and not one word or statement of putting me down . Right on. You have stated my op outstandingly. 99% out here just jump on the train of bashing me. Again thank you and thanks for a great point of view. Take care and be safe.. 73s.  Wow I can not believe it. Wow.
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AB3LW

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #33 on: August 18, 2016, 03:43:24 PM »

the smartphone could be part of ham radio. smartphones are capable of using 902-928 band in other countries.
why couldnt we have our own networks in our band. using smartphones and old tower equipment.

i think it would create interest in getting a license.

it would add a new dimension to the hobby. if ppl were able to get into ham radio using stuff they already have could get more ppl into the hobby.

they allowed the gotenna for off network usage of the smartphones, so i dont think this idea is too much of a stretch beyond that.

probably a law against it or patent infringement, right?




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AC4BB

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #34 on: August 18, 2016, 04:17:07 PM »

   Doubling the number of questions on the exam might work while at the same time raising the percentage right to pass?
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AB3LW

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #35 on: August 18, 2016, 04:26:03 PM »

im not advocating that kind of change at all! im just saying that if we had an accomodation for the devices they have, we may attract more new ppl.

we use modified military surplus and part 90 equipment why not the smartphone? the murs service is accomodating smartphones, why dont we?

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SOFAR

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #36 on: August 18, 2016, 07:49:34 PM »

im not advocating that kind of change at all! im just saying that if we had an accomodation for the devices they have, we may attract more new ppl.

we use modified military surplus and part 90 equipment why not the smartphone? the murs service is accomodating smartphones, why dont we?



I don't see how smartphones would be used with MURS.

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AB3LW

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #37 on: August 18, 2016, 08:05:10 PM »

its called a gotenna it is a bluetooth device that gives you text and gps mapping on a smartpone using the five murs channels. go check at gotenna.com. its about 200usd. it needs to come down in price before i go for it. it uses encryption so its illegal for ham.

and they dont have voice capability yet.
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SOFAR

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #38 on: August 18, 2016, 08:19:53 PM »

I've read about the gotenna, haven't read a review from an actual user.

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N8YX

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #39 on: August 19, 2016, 08:49:39 AM »

   Doubling the number of questions on the exam might work while at the same time raising the percentage right to pass?
What exactly would this solve?
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WX7P

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #40 on: August 19, 2016, 09:33:07 AM »

I was on CB for a short time in the 90s, it was just about unusable during the day (skip).

Took the exams 2 years ago, not really active. Not sure what direction I'm going to take, if any.

Thinking about MURS, or another unlicensed service.

You could start by using your callsign instead of posting under some BS fake name.
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SOFAR

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #41 on: August 19, 2016, 09:59:33 AM »



You could start by using your callsign instead of posting under some BS fake name.

I could start what?

If you don't like the name I registered, that's your problem, not mine.
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KD8MJR

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #42 on: August 19, 2016, 01:44:15 PM »

   Doubling the number of questions on the exam might work while at the same time raising the percentage right to pass?
What exactly would this solve?

It would probably fix the over crowding on the Ham bands  ;)
Also it would put a few more Ham related companies out of business.

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“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”  (Mark Twain)

WX7P

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #43 on: August 19, 2016, 02:59:39 PM »



You could start by using your callsign instead of posting under some BS fake name.

I could start what?

If you don't like the name I registered, that's your problem, not mine.

It just shows you're not confident to post with your callsign. A sign of a lack of integrity and an indication of  cowardice, station.

It also means whatever you post doesn't mean diddly.
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SOFAR

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RE: Is the smart phone ham radios death nail
« Reply #44 on: August 19, 2016, 03:26:29 PM »



It just shows you're not confident to post with your callsign. A sign of a lack of integrity and an indication of  cowardice, station.

It also means whatever you post doesn't mean diddly.

You're a chronic complainer, that adds nothing to this forum.

The End
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