This sort of follows on from my semi-satirical “real” ham radio post. I first heard about QSO1 while lurking on the Brandmeister Worldwide talkgroup. It’s a very nifty app to be sure, but sometimes I do wonder if I’m fooling myself. Like what separates the average QSO1 experience from, say, Discord, besides worse audio and fewer text chat features.
Yes, you are potentially transmitting over any number of repeaters on RF, but if QSO1 becomes the path of least resistance for rag chewers like myself and everyone ends up using it, what makes it “real” ham radio?
I have no issue with digital radio at all and in fact use it quite a bit. But I do find that there has become an over reliance on VOIP in place of actual RF communication.
In my opinion there is no difference in using an app like QSO1 in place of any VOIP application. I just feel as if there are far more interesting things to do within the hobby.
If you are interested in VOIP try out some of the more interesting programs like Mumble, Matrix, or even something radio related like Reticulum.
I see the use case of things like echolink or dmr but I find that most people simply replace their radio with a phone as it is easier. It’s far more fun to use RF
I got licensed because I like the “radio” part of ham radio.
Computers? Cool…hook them to radios.
Networking protocols? Cool, how can I use radios to build networks?
Packet radio? Still has radio involved.
All-star node? Great! It’s hooked into a dedicated radio.
Just got my first HF amplifier for my…you guessed it, HF radio.
OK I’m starting to sound like an ass. I don’t understand why anyone would go through the trouble to test and get licensed only to get involved with things that have…no radio?
A big part of ham ratio for me is figuring out the antenna and signal propagation — having a QSO is a nice proof that I got the system working. How much does QSO1 work out-of-the-box?
It’s pretty seamless, honestly. You make an account and enter any details for the various networks (Echolink/D-star stuff etc)
