[amsat-bb] Re: Remote control languages

[Randy <hamradio@xxxxxx>]

Bruce:
     That would be great.  But you would have to find someone that could
translate the control commands for all the radios into the "standard." 
Since very few radios program the same this could be a huge job and
would probably require a sample of each radio for final testing.  The
translation file could be distributed via internet periodically much
like virus definitions files are now.  But the trick would be keeping
the data up to date every time a new radio came out.  

     A more practical approach in my opinion would be to get the
manufacturers to set up some kind of standards organization which would
develop and publish them.  They could even standardize audio interfaces,
amplifier-keying methods, packet interfaces, microphone interfaces, etc.
Wouldn't THAT be unique?!!  But the goal of most corporations is to make
money.  And as long as they are making money from selling proprietary
software to work with their unique programming standards, and
proprietary accessories to work with their unique equipment interfaces
they do not have much of an incentive to standardize any part of the
process themselves.  

     It would take strong leadership from many organizations, clubs,
etc., to pressure (shame?) them into doing it.  Part of the pressure
might even include doing as you suggest, even on a limited basis,
despite the difficulties.  And the major ham magazines could refuse to
accept advertising for equipment that does not incorporate standards
(good luck, they need to make money too).  Maybe a good way to start
this going would be to organize a panel discussion at Dayton. 
Meanwhile, radio control software and other interfacing will probably
remain a one-of-a-kind proposition.  :-(

de Randy, W7HR
hamradio@oz.net

     

Bruce Bostwick wrote:
> 
> Now here's a thought:  Has anyone come up with a command language for
> controlling radios that *isn't* custom designed by a radio manufacturer to
> control only their radios?  Could that language be coded into a small PIC
> module that could translate into machine specific code?  Make *that*
> available, and you might see Kenwood, Yaesu, and Icom get the hint and
> start including it in new models' firmware.  Worth a shot, and might break
> us Mac owners into the Windows-only world of radio management .. ;-)
> 
> "Orthodoxy is orthodoxy because it won, not because it is true." -- Bp.
> John Spong
>  "Power takes as ingratitude the writhing of its victims." -- Rabindranath
> Tagore
>                --... ...-- -.. . -. ..... ...- -...
>          Bruce Bostwick  mailto:lihan@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
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