I love listening to my DMR radio on Brandmeister Worldwide. I hear QSO’s that I would never be able to hear from my QTH since I don’t have a giant beam that I can point at, say, Malta.
But I routinely hear QSO’s between Eastern Europe operators. In fact, I can’t keep my radio on during the day because I get into the conversations or start daydreaming about traveling to having a beer with this operator (OM and YL alike) in their home country.
It kind of sucks being stuck (radio-wise) in the middle of a large country. Sure it’s nice to routinely hit other parts of the US to get their local flavor (and accent) and think about their delicious food and local beer, but there’s nothing quite like listening to people that speak different languages and be able to talk just enough English to hear everyone calling everyone else “my friend”.
It’s been difficult to talk to people on SSB. Definately 1000% easier on FT8 since I’ve been able to DX QSO Canada, Japan, Poland, Hawaii from a comprimised antenna in my attic (9:1 EARCHI 35′ or so) and front yard (49:1 EFHW 63′ or so). It’s great but its not a human voice. Sometimes FT8 feels like a video game. Maybe there is a good way to humanize it a little more, despite the need for a computer and the internet, like DMR (well at least the way we’re using it – to make DX QSO’s that might be otherwise very diffult to impossible on SSB)
The US FCC rules that govern amateur radio include the following:
Part 97.i(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
Amen to Part 97.1(e) and 73
ÆØRS
