![]() Last week when I was putting the story together regarding JOTA 1992 – I realised how far we have come with technology – the stuff that sits a little left of centre in our hobby. What am I talking about – the internet. Sure – some of us are using the internet for IRLP, EchoLink, AllStar, WebSDR, DMR… the list goes on. We tend to use these technologies as an extension of RF – allowing us to use short-range communications to listen and occasionally – talk around the world. But what else…? Once you have your callsign, there are a bunch of sites and applications you can register with, to extend your new identity, should you choose, for others across the world to see.
…not to mention a never-ending list of Google Groups. These websites are generally FREE to register, and most will ask for proof of qualification or radio licence. Some offer the ability to donate funding – whilst others are funded by commercial sponsors. Something you will find, like most things in amateur radio – they are staffed by a crowd of volunteers – all keen radio amateurs. Your callsign, although short, is also pretty unique – so some people even register their own internet domain name and go on to build a website to share their love of the hobby – their journey and their ideas with fellow amateurs. You can share as much, or little information as you like. Often you need to be a registered member to be able to access this information – but when it comes to your personal information on these sites – your privacy is in your hands. Once your licence is issued – there is also a current publicly listed database provided by the ACMA – often referred to as RADCOM. So… what’s the point. It would not be abnormal to walk into a shack and find a PC running with a number of these sites up – to help provide context and information about you to the amateur on the other end of the QSO. If you can’t remember what a QSO is, there’s a site for that too. There are many times when I’ve been on the second or third over – and from the questions being asked it is obvious the voice on the other end has already checked their computer log for previous QSOs, something you’d struggle to do with a paper log – and they also have some of my details up in another window. Some of these sites link to each other – and to “the cluster”, where radio signals are being spotted around the world – to let you know who is getting out – and help you gauge propagation. They’re a great set of tools, and extend aspects of our hobby possibly further than you can imagine. Working portable or SOTA – well… many of these site have worked their way into the mobility app space, with a light version you can take on the road. If you think this suits you – then sign up. Look for this story on VK6.net – with links to all the sites mentioned included. |