The first is to make each channel narrower – in the past we went from 25kHz channels to 12.5kHz and now there’s pressure for 6.25kHz channels. There are two fundamental ways of achieving this improved efficiency and every technique really boils down to one of these solutions. Inevitably, this technology is finding its way into the amateur world, often helped along by those same professionals. That is more conversations in less spectrum. If you want to join in, sort yourself out with some gear, you’ll be very welcome.Īs pressure on radio spectrum increases, the professional communications world is coming up with ways of squeezing more into less. Some people want to use it and some don’t.
Lastly, it’s not elitist (or similar) – no more so than someone you know using a band you don’t have (yet). So, it’s definitely not a data mode and there’s no typing! If you want that, go elsewhere. Next, we are talking about a telephony mode – that is, you talk to people. It also has repeaters which can be networked together to increase their coverage area. It has mobile and handheld radios (which are almost all dual-mode so they can be programmed with normal FM channels as well).
It has aerials which, if you don’t install them correctly, still don’t work – just like with FM.
It’s proper radio, with RF which follows the same laws of physics as any other mode. Philips / Simoco PRF10 Series Yahoo! Groupįirst of all, what digital radio isn’t, is the “sit at a computer and type” mode that some, ill-informed, people have called it. Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society Website
IOM Department Of Infrastructure Stations Tait Radio Academy - Introduction to DMR Study Guide