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Reviews For: CQ100

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : CQ100
Reviews: 32MSRP: Free for 90 days, then $32/yr
Description:
The so-called "virtual ionosphere" to allow legally licensed amateurs world-wide
the ability to make QSOs via the Internet
Product is in production
More Info: http://qsonet.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00324.2
KK7CQ Rating: 2009-06-07
CQ100 - Great 24/7 communications... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
CQ100 offers great Worldwide communications between all licensed operators anytime day or night. This is not RF radio...It wasn't meant to be...period. But what a fun way to chat with other amateurs all over the globe. The program is easy to install and configure. One doesn't
need an expensive microphone or headset. I currently use a 99 cent label mic plugged directly into my pc sound card..thats it.
Some CQ100 operators have had fun enhancing their mic audio response with mic equalizers
and gain amplifiers to produce studio quality audio.
I have made some great contacts to amateurs in Europe, India, remote locals in the Pacific, Japan, the Caribe, to name a few.
Some U.S. operators can even be found mobile in motion, using their laptop with a wireless aircard.
The QSOTV feature allows instant exchanging of
ham shack photos while chatting. Neat feature.
When the HF bands are unusable, CQ100 offers a relaxing means to communicate. I also use both
CQ100 and Echolink to act as a means to coordinate with other stations when "chasing Dx" on the RF bands.
Give CQ100 a try...It is what it is...a unique way to communicate. Have fun...
K8LEN Rating: 2009-05-22
good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
GREAT system, sure beats buying equipment at todays prices, and if your in a restricted neighborhood, this works just fine.

Also a free one is hamsphere, which is full of many stations, and not cb type of operators..

cq 100 lets one get on the and experience in some ways amateur radio.

N8FXH Rating: 2009-04-20
boring Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Tried this one for free and can't imagine why i would want to pay for it. VOIP programs are available all over the internet. No radio is ever involved in this process which makes it one step removed from Echolink orIRLP. The Program loads well and is easy to operate but it's not Ham Radio
NJ6F Rating: 2009-04-20
Great Program Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have just used the 3 month intro without the video.
Perfect for what it is...nice to be able to ID the operators that are on, less wasted time when scanning around, when you front the $/yr you get the video part as well.
If someone is hooked on radio NOISE and fading, for god sakes just go and try out this other program called hamsphere... put it in Google.

I personally like nice quiet perfect audio....
I am in the hobby to enjoy a nice conversation, not be a human DSP unit. It is bad enough trying to understand them when the audio is good, with foreign accents, dialects, and slang let along compound the problem with radio noise and conditions. Enjoy our new advances.
WY3X Rating: 2009-04-19
I guess if you want to pay for AOL Instant Messenger.... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I give it a "3" for effort because it seems like it simulates radio much better than other VOIP software, and will give clueless newbs a chance to get their feet wet without embarrassing themselves on the air. But really- why be embarrassed? Every ham has to learn how to act on the air eventually, right? Might as well jump in and try the real thing! Whoever heard of "virtual water" when teaching someone to swim? You take kids and put them in the shallow end of the pool, where their feet can touch bottom, and watch what happens! My recommendation to the software author is to remove the requirement to have a license, and let teaching teams point their students to the website so they can "practice" being on the air before getting their license and buying a REAL radio. Throw in some simulated static, some fast and slow fading on voice signals, some missed letters in someone's callsign, some poor CW fists, etc. and let it be a training tool. Make a Digipan and HAL-DXP38 console available. And have multiple "virtual" radios to choose from- an Icom IC-7000, a Ten Tec Orion II, a Yaesu FT-9000, etc. so potential buyers could get a feel for how the real radios operate. Have antenna, PL-259, and power patch cords on the screen and make users click and drag them to the proper locations on the radios and connect them to a virtual power supply, where they can "test" voltage and current draw. Simulate a shorted and/or open antenna. Have a manual antenna tuner on the screen and let them tweak the knobs to lower SWR before they can "transmit". Make all the knobs function in software just like they would on the real radios! This software concept has potential, but it appears to me it's become just another internet chat room... and ONE of these is one too many!
NV8G Rating: 2009-04-19
I don't get it? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am giving this product a good rating simply because it works. However....I just don't get it? Why would you want to "subscribe" for $32.00 a year when all you need is a laptop or desktop computer with "free" Echolink software, or something like that? Or, you can use a Ham radio with a very small antenna that will reach the nearest Echolink repeater. Seems to me like Echolink is awesome, and does everything the CQ100 can do...and is STILL Ham Radio! I far prefer the Echolink system to the CQ100, and wonder why anyone would want to pay for a subscription for this other item? I also wonder why the CQ100 requires a license?? crazy!
K6XR Rating: 2009-04-19
nice product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It does not matter if it is a internet chat room, it serves a purpose and is enjoyable. There are other means to communicate other than by a radio and antenna. It is a great idea and works well. I have been a ham since 1955 and have no problem with new idea's and technology.
It does not matter how we communicate with each other as long as we are talking to each other no matter what the venue!
N0JYC Rating: 2009-04-19
No Lectures, Please! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This VOIP has been great, for those that enjoy it. I haven't read about anyone claiming this is ham radio. It's a beautiful, clever option for those that have limited antenna space, broadcast restrictions, etc. situations. And, a nice alternative, for others, just because they like it. I always find someone on. For my money, a great value. Thanks again, Doug.
N0FPE Rating: 2009-04-19
No Thanks Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Nothing more than a internet chat room. Big deal that it is for hams only. If this is what you think ham radio is then that too bad. There is little challange in talking to someone one an internet VOIP hookup. Hoot the horn all you want, you are STILL not on the air and are just using a VOIP chat room hookup. I can do that anytime without PAYING MORE money. what did hams of past times do when they couldnt have a huge station? They LERANED how to make things work and got on the air in any way they could. Now here we have CQ100 and all of its cousins and there is no learning how to make do with minumum antennas and low power radios. Just pay the money and DL the program and play fake radio. Maybe thats all ham radio is for you and thats fine. That leaves more bandwidth for me!!! CQ100 I will pass.
And yes I tried it for the free 90 days...BORING
AB9PM Rating: 2009-04-19
great idea! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The CQ 100 was a great innovative idea. For those hams who cannot maintain their permanent station because of age, or living conditions it gives them a great venue to continue in the hobby. No it doesn't give you the ability to put your "signal" on the air, but it allows communications for amateur radio operators with restrictions. It can also be a good venue for new hams to learn protocol while not on the air yet. It is a hams only association and I think that is a positive thing.

It was a great idea, and more amateurs are joining over time. I am glad to have had the opportunity to participate, and I did join the group. I have experienced some very good conversations with different hams in other countries. It gave me a new perspective on my own living in the United States.

I complemented the owner of the system for his innovative idea. I like the look of having a rig in front of me with controls and a fake "s" meter. If you have a decent hf station it may not be for you, as you can realize your ham experience on the air. However for those less fortunate it is a great alternative experience and I hope other amateurs around the world continue to join.

Dave
AB9PM