Subj : Da Di Dit  Dit - Rulz
To   : ROY WITT
From : STAN PHILLIPS
Date : Thu Aug 24 2000 02:50 pm

RW> MSGID: 1:10/22 39a2d10c
RW> REPLY: 2:252/171 cc6d22c5
RW> PID: GEDW32 3.0.1
RW> CHRS: IBMPC 2
RW> TID: FastEcho 1.46.1 8614
RW> Hello STAN.
RW> 
RW> 20 Aug 00 22:45, you wrote to me:
RW> 
RW> 
RW>  RW>  SP>> Not really, it is still in use with navigational beacons, and
RW>  RW>  SP>> as ID on most satellite transponders.
RW>  RW>>
RW>  RW>> I believe you'll find that this only applies to Amateur Radio
RW>  RW>> beacons and satellites.
RW> 
RW>  SP> I was referring to navigational beacons used by both marine
RW>  SP> (shipping) and aircraft.
RW> 
RW> Since marine and aircraft no longer use CW, there's no need for CW
RW> beacons. I think you'll find that they're all using digital
RW> communications now.  I think it was France who announced back in 1998 that
RW> the end of that year (or the following February) signaled the end of their
RW> CW in their maritime service. I believe the announcement said that they
RW> were the last country to do so.
RW> 

Perhaps there is no need, however they are there and are still being used.
They may indeed give a digital signal however I have no info on that,
other than the operating frequency is rather low (below 500 Khz) and
I would have expected a digital to be heard as well as the code
identification is.

RW>  SP> The satelites I am referring to include the commercial television
RW>  SP> satellites. Each transponder has it's own identification in code.
RW> 
RW> In a digital format.

Well,  I suppose that normal morse code could be classed as 'digital'.

RW>  SP> A person who is unable to speak and has only very limited movement of
RW>  SP> their body is able to operate a key with some part of their body.
RW> 
RW> Well, unless they're HAMs, they'll be limited to what we call 'Part 15 -
RW> no license required' radios.

They are not using radios. They are using normal AF though a loudspeaker.

Some are now using code to ascii converters as input to a normal
computer. 

RW>  RW>> Actually, this echo is seeing more traffic than it's seen for the
RW>  RW>> better part of this year.
RW> 
RW>  SP> It is very good to see.
RW> 
RW> .....Meanwhile, as long as there's still some traffic in this echo,
RW> I'll keep it going.  I hope to be the guy who turns out the lights when
RW> Fidonet finally takes it's last breath in Z1.

Very good.  

73  Stan

 * They do not love that do not show their love.
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