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W7RJR
Opinion
Voice Over IP (VOIP)
The internet has become an important communication tool. The
vast majority of hams have access to it. Many have resorted to programs that
emulate ham radio through the voice over internet protocol (VOIP). This has
become an interesting topic of discussion due to the apparent impact it can
have upon the future of amateur radio. Personally I have found this protocol and
the many programs that use it fascinating and efficient. Many ask, "Is this
ham radio"?
The answer I believe is somewhere between "yes" and
"no". When used as a peer to peer/server to client communication
device (one computer to another) it can hardly be called anything more than
another internet application. When used in conjunction with amateur radio
receivers and transmitters to link communications it becomes an integral part of
amateur radio just as a phone patch would. Some of these chat programs cleverly
limit access to those that have amateur radio licenses. The environment then
mimics being on-the-air albeit absent the usual
annoyances such as noise, interference, etc. Those with licenses that do not
normally permit world-wide HF communication are suddenly able to communicate the
world over without 'upgrading' or learning anything more about amateur radio.
They are internet communicators that happen to have an amateur radio license. The
argument for such programs is that it offers those that cannot put up a
legitimate RF station the opportunity to enter or reenter the amateur radio
arena. This could be a valid argument when one considers what is involved in erecting
and maintaining an efficient RF station today. Depending upon your status in
life or where you live it may be almost impossible to put in service a good amateur
radio station. Prohibitions against antennas through CC&Rs and local
government zoning laws can seriously hamper your efforts. Neighbors worried
about the market value of their home don't favorably view towers or antennas
next door to them. RFI and TVI issues can exacerbate these problems. Many hams
decide to live in older run down neighborhoods or out in the country where there
are few if any restrictions. What a hassle, just for a hobby! VOIP amateur radio
emulation programs put an end to all of the hassle for those that simply wish to
communicate. For those that care less about the technical aspect of ham radio it
is a welcome solution. For others VOIP offers an opportunity to communicate with
like minded amateur radio operators using a more reliable medium. Most of
these programs are quite reliable when used with the UDP protocol. Those that
use TCP/IP seem to suffer from connectivity issues.
As to the down side of VOIP. In my opinion, VOIP represents a
clear and present danger to what we now call amateur radio. Young people are not
interested in RF communication or amateur radio. Why should they go through all
the trouble of passing an examination and putting up an RF station that is less
efficient in terms of communication than using VOIP? While many of us older hams
are still enjoying the 'magic' of amateur radio and passing signals through the
ether, it is not generally shared by our generation x and y brethren. I have
already seen and heard a distinct decline in the numbers of amateur radio
signals on the HF bands. Some of this is due to poor conditions and lack of
sunspots but it is obvious that as more of us older hams depart we are not being
replaced by younger operators. The outcome seems inevitable. Ham Radio will
become a nostalgic bit of history. Will VOIP replace it? Perhaps, but in 50
years time who knows what communication technologies will evolve. I will
continue using my antiquated amateur radio RF station because I still feel the
magic that brought me there many years ago. It will pass with me. In the
interim, I recognize and also use VOIP as an alternative but not a replacement
for amateur radio.
The Passing of Morse Code
Now that morse code is no longer a licensing requirement in the
United States (among others), what affect will it have on amateur radio? The FCC
and others feel it will allow the service to grow and encourage those that were
bewildered by morse code to upgrade their license class. I was not a proponent
for retaining the morse code as a testing requirement; however, I do not feel
that this will profoundly change amateur radio or it's future. I believe there
will be a short lived surge of those who wish to upgrade their license. These
will likely be older people that are already part of amateur radio. Likely there
will be an increase in HF activity which in my opinion will be quite welcome. I
can only hope that these newcomers to HF will retain the flavor, self-discipline
and propriety of amateur radio. I do not want to see our bands digress to a
citizens band like atmosphere! I do not believe that young people will suddenly
become interested in amateur radio due to the passing of the morse code
requirement. There is still a written exam that at the very least must be
memorized, the acquisition of amateur radio equipment, the erection of antennas,
etc. The internet and cell phone connectivity have unfortunately put their mark
on the ultimate demise of amateur radio (as we know it).
While I would like to see a reversal in the current trend I feel
the morse code requirement should be replaced with something that requires more
than memorizing a set of questions and answers. I feel that a hands-on test may
be appropriate to demonstrate basic skills necessary to operate an amateur radio
station. While we should do as much as we can to promote ham radio and attract
young people we must not allow it to degenerate to a box top license mentality.
Given the current circumstances I would rather see the service slowly pass in a
respectable and dignified way.
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