When I was so much younger, I owned a nice 2-meter airwave scanner and an old Yaesu radio receiver to listen to the world of the radio-amateurs. Due to local circumstances it was impossible to attach a huge antenna to my house and get a license to go serious with this highly interesting, technical hobby. However I had an official "listening station" to do some rudimentary ionospheric research. Airwave propagation depends on sky conditions and the Sun.
These days, and merely by accident, I stumbled across Kelly Lindman. He is the inventor of HAMsphere, a dedicated computer program and social network of the very special kind: a simulated HAM-radio network.
It even uses a special ionospheric propagation model, databases and so-called 'QSL-card' exchange between members, which makes this peculiar VoIP network the nearest simulation of the real HAM-world, however not requiring complicated exams and licensing. The software can be run on virtually any computer OS that allows for Java. So it doesn't matter when you are on Linux, Windows, Mac or even Android or iOS. For Linux the only thing to remember is to have Java (JRE) on board and apply "Settings" -> "Mixer Command": alsactl to be set to get audio running. When in doubt use the Terminal -> aplay -l to list your audio devices and see if Mic and Output are channel 0 or 1 respectively. For Windows the mixer cmd is (XP): sndvol32, or (for Win7): sndvol, which comes preset. To run a Java program on Linux you must allow its execution by right-clicking the program icon for 'Properties', to set Permissions to: Allow Execution as Program. Next: double-click the program icon and off you go! To test your microphone find the F-ENT key in the top right numeric/channel panel, press it and punch in: 1.823.45 kHz. Then press the PTT key and speak 2-4 seconds. Release the PTT button and listen to a recording of your voice. My mic-level is 4 for a well-modulated signal. My "HAMsphere" transceiver has an output (Power knob) set to 6, which means 100 Watt. Read the manual before you start and the Code of Conduct to know the do's and don'ts of HAM radio communications!
The program offers a variety of servers with a different selection of stations depending the "atmospheric conditions" and locations. It also offers a Tweet-like chatbox. During 2014 Kelly intends to offer a new version with SSTV on it. It could be a replacement of "Skype" for the more technical minded and those requiring more relative 'privacy'. More can be read here and there. For 30 euro per year you can join this fascinating network, which is at the least tenfold less than the price of the cheapest, real HAM radio. To see if you like it, you may test the program and network 6 days for free. It is a very clever HAM radio simulator indeed, although -of course- heavily criticised by real amateur-radio professionals. That doesn't matter, then this network offers a new way to connect people, to make friends and exchange messages and QSL-contact cards that you can design for your station. And you learn more about the HAM-radio world. If an emergency strikes you'll know how to handle a radio-rig should one wash ashore...
These days, and merely by accident, I stumbled across Kelly Lindman. He is the inventor of HAMsphere, a dedicated computer program and social network of the very special kind: a simulated HAM-radio network.
It even uses a special ionospheric propagation model, databases and so-called 'QSL-card' exchange between members, which makes this peculiar VoIP network the nearest simulation of the real HAM-world, however not requiring complicated exams and licensing. The software can be run on virtually any computer OS that allows for Java. So it doesn't matter when you are on Linux, Windows, Mac or even Android or iOS. For Linux the only thing to remember is to have Java (JRE) on board and apply "Settings" -> "Mixer Command": alsactl to be set to get audio running. When in doubt use the Terminal -> aplay -l to list your audio devices and see if Mic and Output are channel 0 or 1 respectively. For Windows the mixer cmd is (XP): sndvol32, or (for Win7): sndvol, which comes preset. To run a Java program on Linux you must allow its execution by right-clicking the program icon for 'Properties', to set Permissions to: Allow Execution as Program. Next: double-click the program icon and off you go! To test your microphone find the F-ENT key in the top right numeric/channel panel, press it and punch in: 1.823.45 kHz. Then press the PTT key and speak 2-4 seconds. Release the PTT button and listen to a recording of your voice. My mic-level is 4 for a well-modulated signal. My "HAMsphere" transceiver has an output (Power knob) set to 6, which means 100 Watt. Read the manual before you start and the Code of Conduct to know the do's and don'ts of HAM radio communications!
The program offers a variety of servers with a different selection of stations depending the "atmospheric conditions" and locations. It also offers a Tweet-like chatbox. During 2014 Kelly intends to offer a new version with SSTV on it. It could be a replacement of "Skype" for the more technical minded and those requiring more relative 'privacy'. More can be read here and there. For 30 euro per year you can join this fascinating network, which is at the least tenfold less than the price of the cheapest, real HAM radio. To see if you like it, you may test the program and network 6 days for free. It is a very clever HAM radio simulator indeed, although -of course- heavily criticised by real amateur-radio professionals. That doesn't matter, then this network offers a new way to connect people, to make friends and exchange messages and QSL-contact cards that you can design for your station. And you learn more about the HAM-radio world. If an emergency strikes you'll know how to handle a radio-rig should one wash ashore...
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