Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) is a flagship program within the League's portfolio of managed programs. Its function is most closely aligned with corporate governance and is an organizational strength. What is the next 100 years going to look like for ARES? What about its capacity to execute at the local level? Perhaps, ARES is the bell weather program, as personal priorities shift within our avocation from high frequency to that of very- to ultra high frequencies.
The Rise Of The Hand Held
Organizational alignment, at least from my perspective, suggests continued resource emphasis flowing in the direction of emergency communications. The tide is not going to turn as manufacturing focus and technological improvements advance portable devices such as a handheld units.
Secondly, affordability of hand held units are not cost prohibitive nor a barrier to entry unlike that of high frequency activities. Additionally, there are far less attachments that is, the challenge of operating on high frequency is resource intensive especially within regulated communities and densely populated urban areas.
Thirdly, proximity to mobile communication devices like a mobile phone, facilitates everyday familiarity with the object.
A hand held unit fits into one's palm. It has button function like that of a mobile phone. And, the screen is an almost mimic, of Internet connected devices. Perhaps, the next generation of hand held units, will transcend current design and look more like one's mobile phone or pad in the next 100 years?
API?
What would happen if these units are smart that is software driven with open architecture that allows downloading of application program interfaces into its operating system?
ARRL Second Century Campaign, Third Objective --
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.
The Rise Of The Hand Held
Organizational alignment, at least from my perspective, suggests continued resource emphasis flowing in the direction of emergency communications. The tide is not going to turn as manufacturing focus and technological improvements advance portable devices such as a handheld units.
Secondly, affordability of hand held units are not cost prohibitive nor a barrier to entry unlike that of high frequency activities. Additionally, there are far less attachments that is, the challenge of operating on high frequency is resource intensive especially within regulated communities and densely populated urban areas.
Thirdly, proximity to mobile communication devices like a mobile phone, facilitates everyday familiarity with the object.
A hand held unit fits into one's palm. It has button function like that of a mobile phone. And, the screen is an almost mimic, of Internet connected devices. Perhaps, the next generation of hand held units, will transcend current design and look more like one's mobile phone or pad in the next 100 years?
API?
What would happen if these units are smart that is software driven with open architecture that allows downloading of application program interfaces into its operating system?
ARRL Second Century Campaign, Third Objective --
Enhance Amateur Radio's capacity to serve local, national and global communities by applying and sharing our radio communication skills, technical knowledge and volunteer ethic in response to disaster and in public service communications.ARES, at least from my perspective, will continue its growth as a flagship program within Amateur Radio's portfolio including that of the American Radio Relay League. The next 100 years is certainly going to present significant capacity challenges.
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.