At Dayton this year, it was no surprise that digital technologies got a
lot of attention, including HF software-defined radios (SDRs), Hams are excited about digital radio because
it is something new to explore. As you can see below, it was standing room only
at the DMR Forum at Dayton this year.
One of the reasons for this excitement is that they are software-based,
and unlike hardware radios, SDRs (some are really HF radio servers) are easily
upgraded, and manufacturers can add compelling new features as technology
changes. That means that you get a new radio every year without needing XYL
approvals!
If you follow technology (smartphones, laptops, the internet, whatever),
you know that there are certain common phases that all technologies must pass
through. These include the pioneer stage, the early adopter stage, and then “the chasm.” Once a technology adoption
has survived these three stages, it then reaches the mass adoption phase, and
it begins to grow very quickly. Competing technologies then need to adopt. If
they don’t, they will eventually fall by the wayside.
There is no question that DMR technology (Digital voice Mobile Radio)
for hams has jumped the chasm and is now into the mass adoption phase, and may
soon enter the low-priced commoditization phase. Inexpensive, mass-produced
Chinese DMR digital voice + FM portable radios were being sold inside the Hara
arena for as low as $109 with a color display and free programming software.
Remember that these are Part-90 type accepted, commercial-quality radios, not
low end junk with dirty transmitters and low quality RX audio.
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