[OZAPRS] Gating DPRS to APRS

[Zik Saleeba]

On 9/20/07, Hamish Moffatt <hamish at cloud.net.au> wrote:
>
> I have to disagree that "it's not a big deal."

I agree Hamish that it's not ideal. But the important caveat here is
that people are working on alternative open vocoding schemes which
will fit within the D-STAR standard. The trouble is that pretty much
all decent modern vocoding schemes are currently patent encumbered. I
expect that the closed vocoder will be replaced with free alternatives
in time. Until then we have something which isn't perfect from a
licensing point of view but at least it's effective, cheap and
available.

> > d) The data service isn't here yet but it will give us mobile internet
> > capability with decent bandwidth. It's much better than anything of
> > this kind readily available to amateurs right now.
>
> Would this be legal to use, and even if so why should we be providing
> internet access over the radio? I think amateur radio is best used for
> things that can't be delivered commercially, not just as a freebie
> alternative.

I believe that the WIA is looking at the legality of internet
connectivity right now. My understanding is that in Australia right
now it's _not_ legal to gateway D-STAR data to the internet. In most
other countries it is legal and amateurs are very enthusiastic about
the benefits. From my own point of view I can think of five great ham
projects I'd love to use this feature for. If it can be made legal
then what's not to like?

Cheers,
Zik
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