[ax25-layer2] decline of ax.25

[Robert Bruninga]

>>> k5okc at cox.net 08/04/06 5:22 AM >>>
>Short answer:  We need a modem that will work long haul 
>at a bandwidth at or above 9600 bps, full-duplex of course :-)

I hate to say this...

And the other thing we need is a reason.  WIth the global
internet available to anyone even in the palm of their hand,
there is no application I can think of in HAM radio that will
attract any kind of grass-roots network like we had back in
the 80's.

Of course we want to play, but that is not going to motivate
the massive investment needed to re-constitute a ham network
no matter how slick we make the modem...

So it seems that the only thing that has any lasting significance
in Ham radio to offer is the "last mile" extension back to the internet
for emergency services.   But as we all know, unless you play with a
system daily, then you wont be able to make it work when the 
shoe drops.

So I guess that is why I h ave been focused these many years 
on the APRS style of simply a digital channel to support immediate
local low dutycyle needs, such as APRS, telemetry, and remote
control and wet noodle links into the internet...

with 802.11 anyone can do a wireless internet link extension even
without a license and so we are back to square one... and that is
where are we going.  What is the long term killer app that is
driving us?

This is not meant to stir up a discussion on the future of ham radio
which is off topic, but it was my first reaction to the sentence
that said all we need is a great modem.   Because that stirs up
the inevitable question of "why".....   oh well....

Bob