[aprssig] Kenwood slow maybe... but still makes APRS radios

[khufford at comcast.net]

"..react slowly to innovations produced in their own markets."

At least KENWOOD makes an APRS radio(s)....  and gives you free software to load it.

Kent
KQ4KK

-------------- Original message -------------

- 
From: Steve Bragg <steve at hamhud.net> 

>Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:19:55 -0700
>From: "Stephen H. Smith" <wa8lmf2 at aol.com>
>Subject: [aprssig] To: TAPR APRS Mailing List <aprssig at lists.tapr.org>
>John Habbinga wrote:
>> http://www.kenwood.co.jp/j/products/amateur/mobile/image/M2A200.exe
>>
>> The help file has some interesting information.

>After installing the required Microsoft Dot-Net 2.0 sludgeware on a PC, 
>I have installed the control program. [...]
>
>10) NO VISIBLE MENU SUPPORT FOR SMART BEACONING !!

I have to say I'm not surprised Kenwood did not decide to do SmartBeaconing in the D710.  For one, they didn't contact me or anyone else connected with HamHUD, which they would have had to do to use the protocol for a commercial enterprise.  

Second, while there are some TinyTraks being used in Japan, SmartBeaconing is primarily popular in N/S America, Europe, and Australia.  While I know for certain they were pestered about it at Dayton '07, the Kenwood designers probably haven't seen what SmartBeaconing can do.   And if WB4APR is still advising them, I trust he is being consistent with his public position on this, which, as I understand it, is that 'PROPORTIONAL-PATHING' is superior to SmartBeaconing.   ('P-P' is fine, it's just that SmartBeaconing's main goals area somewhat different, more related to map display than digipeater capacity.)

Third and finally, Kenwood is a giant multinational corporation.   It is natural that companies that large become 'ingrown,' and react slowly to innovations produced in their own markets.  

If we want quick market response and innovation in ham radio, we'd better leave that to the small and maneuverable companies like HamHUD, Argent Data, Byonics, Coastal Chipworks, Elecraft, and Flex Radio (and many more).

My US$0.02.

73,

Steve Bragg KA9MVA
www.hamhud.net  
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