Thursday, October 22, 2009

Ham Radio Simulator

Just like flight simulators, this program ain't the real thing; but for some reason the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio is giving it some free PR:

http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/10/13/11134/

We're speaking of CQ100 that Amateur Radio simulation "game" that has some people confused as to what radio is and what radio isn't. Some folks see it as a God send, while I see it as a "get rich quick" scheme by somebody.

Each to their own, I suppose - however, if you want to read a "no holds barred" discussion on CQ100, you can entertain yourself by going over to eHam. There you can read the typical gentlemanly, courteous and civilized (sarcastic mode on) discussion that took place several months ago.

http://www.eham.net/articles/21611

73 de Larry W2LJ

5 comments:

  1. I'll never understand why some Hams think they can't have fun from an apartment building using an indoor antenna.

    It's just NOT true...absolute nonsense.

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  2. It's about thinking outside the box and some folks just won't do it. I have a friend, AF2Q, whose apartment is in a building that is a Faraday shield. He's using homebrewed magnetic loop antennas with great success!

    Yes, outdoor antennas are great; and those of us who have them are darned lucky - but where there is a will, there is a way.

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  3. I totally agree. Do some real radio - whether it's using indoor antennas, portable in the park or mobile.

    I don't feel we're being "crusty old men" by pointing this out. I just think people deserve to know that not being able to have antennas at home doesn't mean they can only experience ham radio through a computer simulation. I'm surprised the ARRL published this article and don't see how publicizing a VOIP system like CQ100 benefits the hobby.

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  4. Anonymous7:13 PM

    I have a few "newbie" questions. 1) Does it get Ham Operators "GOTA" (Get-On-The-Air)? 2) Does it "Educate" or Re-Educate newbies? 3) Is it a hobby or is it "serious stuff" ? --- Just a Few Questions

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  5. It doesn't help Hams "get on the air" per se, because it's "virtual" Ham Radio via the Internet.

    It may help educate a Ham in the way of operating procedures and protocol; but I doubt you will earn how to deal with any of the real life difficulties of QRN, QSB etc. That's stuff that you can only experience by actually going on the air for real.

    Larry W2LJ

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