[aprssig] Re: D-STAR video on YouTube

[Danny Messano]

There's no FUD here.  The statements being made are fact. 

There is something keeping D-STAR from evolving into a "Public Domain
Standard"... fact is, it may as well be a CLOSED system.  If the codec is
proprietary, it doesn't matter if someone comes up with an open source
version.. Someone OWNS it.  They will flex muscle if you vilate their IP,
and could care less about some amateur radio operators in the process. I
love the this hobby, but Amateur Radio has NO power against commercial
interest.  If a company can get -><- this close to shutting down a giant
like RIM over patents, they can make everyone box those radios up forever
and not be late for lunch.  

If you are going to play with someone else's ball, you had better know what
is at stake.  You can call me silly all you want, but I have seen what it's
like to have a product nearly drop off the map because someone decided their
loose licensing suddenly wasn't so loose.  If you think it won't happen to
an Amateur Radio product in the next 10 years as we start moving into world
of IP and patent trolls, think again.

I think you're REALLY confused about what is being said here.  I don't think
D-STAR is a bad product or bad idea at all.  I had been debating putting up
a D-STAR repeater, but besides the IP issues, I know something better will
come along.  This is version 1.0 of digital voice on the ham bands.
Something better will come along and have less attachments, and all will be
good in the world.


-----Original Message-----
From: aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org [mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org]
On Behalf Of Mark Fellhauer
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 1:26 AM
To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
Subject: [aprssig] Re: D-STAR video on YouTube

At 09:27 PM 9/23/2007, Danny Messano wrote:

>I think we've already established that he doesn't care how the radio is 
>made, and how the RF is generated.. What is going out over the air is 
>the issue.

FUD is FUD.  You can wrap it up in any argument you like.   It's still ends 
up being an old man yelling and waving his cane at the passing newfangled
horseless carriages.


>I think it's almost hysterical that Kenwood comes out with a few radios
that
>essentially lock-in the APRS protocol until a successor arrives and there's
>a huge outcry, and then Icom comes with the proprietary lawyer-protected
>D-STAR system and it's the best thing since slice bread.  Don't talk bad
>about the D-STAR.


More FUD  =  "lawyer protected"    Yes, those evil lawyers.    I'm waiting 
for Godwin's Law to come into play.

It's another mode.  It has its flaws, we've acknowledged that.  All the 
people bellyaching now had the opportunity to do a better job a decade ago 
and still have the opportunity now.   Come up with a better standard, 
release it to TAPR, market a kit.  Anything less is sour grapes.

ICOM steps up to the plate and offers a working digital voice mode for the 
Ham community and all you guys can do is throw stones.   Just like we still 
have APRS detractors, and it took a lot of work to unify APRS into what it 
is today.  I personally went and asked for 144.39 to be set aside for APRS 
use among the ATV'ers in SoCal a decade ago.    Where were you?   Had they 
adopted the stance I see here, there would be no coordinated APRS frequency 
and no growth of APRS.   I remember APRS in Phoenix when it was me, George 
Poland, Jerry Wyatt, and a couple of other guys.  We got laughed at a lot.

As I pointed out, there is nothing in the history books that precludes 
D-Star evolving into a true Public Domain standard.     D-Star is 
invigorating and re-defining Ham Radio.   I'm amazed at the growth and 
interest it's generated in hobby that hasn't seen much new in the last 7 or 
8 years.

So go ahead and bad-mouth D-Star all you want.  It just makes you look 
silly.   We even have people here rooting for its demise.  AND, IMHO, 
that's the same thing as rooting for the demise of Ham Radio.  Thanks for 
nothin'.


Mark
KC7BXS



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