I'm sure some of you may be aware of this which I discovered while searching for remote controlled Ham Radio/Shortwave radios on the internet.
I'm sure some of you may be aware of this which I discovered while searching for remote controlled Ham Radio/Shortwave radios on the internet.
The application is called HamSphere.
It's cleverly designed to look just like a mult-band Ham transceiver. The app simulates what you would expect to hear on a shortwave radio, while allowing you to have real-time exchanges (QSO's) with other users. Kind of a Skype or Instant Chat that acts like a radio.
They allow one band (labled BC) for those that want to broadcast as a shortwave broadcaster would. In addition it covers small sections of other Ham bands from 160 meters to 6 meters. You tune it just like a radio and can operate DSB voice or CW.
The download is FREE and lets you have full operation as a 3 day trial. After that you pay to continue full use, otherwise operation is limited.
Not a Part 15 operation but another avenue for the "broadcaster" in all of us.
A very interesting web invention. Glad you shared it.
I just came back from a quick visit to Hamsphere and noticed several things. It is apparantly already very popular, which I am saying as one of the people who hadn't previously heard about it. The website makes a very professional impression, it is well written and not over-cluttered. I still have technical questions about what kind of communications interface I'd need to make it work, but it's always fun to figure that out.
Also, the imagination starts to build on what might be possible. For example, since FCC Rules don't apply, it therefore WOULD be possible to re-broadcast conversations from Hamspere, building on the image of 2-way shortwave instead of ordinary 2-way telephone.
Would it be sensible to stream programming on Hamsphere? Yet to be discovered.
Thank you MRAM!
A very interesting web invention. Glad you shared it.
I just came back from a quick visit to Hamsphere and noticed several things. It is apparantly already very popular, which I am saying as one of the people who hadn't previously heard about it. The website makes a very professional impression, it is well written and not over-cluttered. I still have technical questions about what kind of communications interface I'd need to make it work, but it's always fun to figure that out.
Also, the imagination starts to build on what might be possible. For example, since FCC Rules don't apply, it therefore WOULD be possible to re-broadcast conversations from Hamspere, building on the image of 2-way shortwave instead of ordinary 2-way telephone.
Would it be sensible to stream programming on Hamsphere? Yet to be discovered.
Thank you MRAM!
A sound card, speakers and a microphone connected to your PC is all you need to start using Hamsphere.
Although the look and feel of the graphical interface makes you believe it's a radio, it's not. When you "transmit" there is no RF involved hence no license required. But just like real radio, if you "transmit" on a frequency to close to another conversation, you will cause interference to the other frequency. If your "power" setting is to low your received signal is noisey. Your signals can fade in and out, be subject to phase distortion and other typical shortwave problems thanks to the very involved radio simulation which makes it all too real.
You do have to follow basic radio operation such as keeping your audio level correct when transmitting and following basic courtesy used on real Ham radio frequencies.
They do warn not to interface Hamsphere with a licensed service (Ham radio) as that would allow non-licensed persons to operate a real transmitter as there are internet applications that link radios together over the internet.
And yes, you are allowed to "broadcast" a program on the Hamsphere "BC" band. So you could become a "virtual" shortwave broadcaster streaming your Part 15 programs.
The interesting aspect of Hamsphere is how you "tune" across the band to listen in or talk with another user. These conversations are open to anyone just as on a radio. (There is a transmit mode that allows private conversations accessed by command line input.)
Dig in and you will find a short operating manual that details this and more.
A sound card, speakers and a microphone connected to your PC is all you need to start using Hamsphere.
Although the look and feel of the graphical interface makes you believe it's a radio, it's not. When you "transmit" there is no RF involved hence no license required. But just like real radio, if you "transmit" on a frequency to close to another conversation, you will cause interference to the other frequency. If your "power" setting is to low your received signal is noisey. Your signals can fade in and out, be subject to phase distortion and other typical shortwave problems thanks to the very involved radio simulation which makes it all too real.
You do have to follow basic radio operation such as keeping your audio level correct when transmitting and following basic courtesy used on real Ham radio frequencies.
They do warn not to interface Hamsphere with a licensed service (Ham radio) as that would allow non-licensed persons to operate a real transmitter as there are internet applications that link radios together over the internet.
And yes, you are allowed to "broadcast" a program on the Hamsphere "BC" band. So you could become a "virtual" shortwave broadcaster streaming your Part 15 programs.
The interesting aspect of Hamsphere is how you "tune" across the band to listen in or talk with another user. These conversations are open to anyone just as on a radio. (There is a transmit mode that allows private conversations accessed by command line input.)
Dig in and you will find a short operating manual that details this and more.
I've decided to expand my horizons again.
In addition to testing the HOME HOSTING, I will be broadcasting on the HAMSPHERE broadcast band at 6240.00 kHz.
I will be simulcasting the MRAM 1500 programming.
Please send reception reports to MRAM EMAIL.
I've decided to expand my horizons again.
In addition to testing the HOME HOSTING, I will be broadcasting on the HAMSPHERE broadcast band at 6240.00 kHz.
I will be simulcasting the MRAM 1500 programming.
Please send reception reports to MRAM EMAIL.
Hey MRAM!!
Your virtual SW experiment is pioneeric (new word I just made)!
As soon as my streams sign off (in about an hour) I'm going to tune around on the make-believe shortwave radio and listen to see how the reception is. I could probably do it while also streaming, but I worry about causing something to stall.
Maybe I'll request a QSL card.
Hey MRAM!!
Your virtual SW experiment is pioneeric (new word I just made)!
As soon as my streams sign off (in about an hour) I'm going to tune around on the make-believe shortwave radio and listen to see how the reception is. I could probably do it while also streaming, but I worry about causing something to stall.
Maybe I'll request a QSL card.
Having too many computers running 24/7 already, I'm running Hamsphere on my studio production PC.
That being said, I also will have to interrupt the "shortwave broadcast" at times when doing studio work. Otherwise the Hamsphere will continue to broadcast.
I'll print up some QSL cards just in case.
Having too many computers running 24/7 already, I'm running Hamsphere on my studio production PC.
That being said, I also will have to interrupt the "shortwave broadcast" at times when doing studio work. Otherwise the Hamsphere will continue to broadcast.
I'll print up some QSL cards just in case.
MRAM
It didn't take long to get into DX mode with the great 2-dimensional SW transceiver.
I am tuned to 06.240.00
It doesn't have a prefix for kHz or mHz, and that seems like one to few zeros.
A voice in the static is discussing world cup soccer and something about going to jail.
Between 2 and 3 on the S-meter. How much power are you running?
I'll tune to the real MRAM to compare programming.
This is neater than real shortwave. I may fiddle with this all night.
Clear.
MRAM
It didn't take long to get into DX mode with the great 2-dimensional SW transceiver.
I am tuned to 06.240.00
It doesn't have a prefix for kHz or mHz, and that seems like one to few zeros.
A voice in the static is discussing world cup soccer and something about going to jail.
Between 2 and 3 on the S-meter. How much power are you running?
I'll tune to the real MRAM to compare programming.
This is neater than real shortwave. I may fiddle with this all night.
Clear.
YES I am listening to The Radio Dan Show on MRAM Winamp stream, and a slightly more latent Radio Dan Show on false shortwave.
In addition to the imaginary amount of power you're running, where are the pretend towers located?
YES I am listening to The Radio Dan Show on MRAM Winamp stream, and a slightly more latent Radio Dan Show on false shortwave.
In addition to the imaginary amount of power you're running, where are the pretend towers located?