Network Radio on the Zello Platform

Hi All,

Not sure if this subject has been brought up before for discussion, I've been using Network Radio for a month now using the Zello platform and have enjoyed some good conversations with other radio ops from around the globe etc. What's people's opinions on the format and would you consider it radio or just another format for talking liking wattsapp et. Also if there was enough interest would if not be a good idea to start up a CTDX channel, just interested in peoples thoughts.

Hi Andy,

There was a brief discussion surrounding Zello a little while back :-

https://charlietangodxgroup.forumotion.com/t3345-zello-network-radio?highlight=Zello

I'm sure it's been mentioned elsewhere before as well but probably buried amongst discussion in postings.


I know that when certain technologies present themselves there's an initial flurry of interest and then quite often quickly dissipates as speedily as it came. This has been seen on many Zello 'channels' where initial excitement sees much activity and then whether through boredom, lack of interactivity or even heaven forbid less than positive input from others eventually lands up silent.

I know that for my own personal interests I didn't see much point in these technologies being far more interested in the radio pursuits of 'old'. Purchasing, repairing or restoring radio equipment that actually squirts RF out of the back along with setting up commercial or home built antennas really 'floats my boat'. 

It's all point-to-point RF for me and why I've even embraced technologies like FT8 digital modes where my licence low power limits and lack of foreign language skills still sees me making 'contacts' to real people all around the world. I'm also still at the mercy of Mother Nature and the Radio Gods of whether radio propagation or conditions will give me the contacts I desire and the 'pot luck' nature of that enthrals me no end.

Not afraid of burgeoning technologies I also experimented somewhat with DMR radio after being gifted a handheld that had the facilities to perform such. I still had to build an antenna with enough gain to make the trip to a DMR repeater the next county over and was initially excited at the prospects. However it didn't take too long before 'boredom' set in hearing the same voices again and again, some treating it like their own private chat room with also less than welcome attitudes. One time someone randomly sent a 'blocking code' to my handheld which was easily reset from but I couldn't do with such silly nonsense and gave it up. Being 'chucked off' or dialled out of the repeater for no reason except someone's weird sense of 'fun' also filled me with similar loathe. (The handheld is still an awesome 'analogue' 2m & 70cm radio though and used as such much of the time.)

So yeah, initially seems like a good idea but can soon falter much like the 2m/70cm repeater rush to digital technologies in the hope of enlivening their activity and often results in the opposite unfortunately.
(I find the 'digital' linking to one of my local repeaters with a feeling of dread for some of the subject material and would rather hear the local traffic as they wend their way to & from places of work in the vicinity.)
I also dislike the almost continuous 'ker-chunking' of said repeater with people busying themselves pressing DTMF buttons on their mics but then obviously bored as they then don't bother making contacts.

I also often have a hell of a time refereeing my young grandchildren as they argue over 'Roblox' or some such and would hate to be moderating such nonsense from adults on other digital platforms.

At least with a forum there is a delay between someone's incensed differences of opinion and the keyboard but vocally there is no such 'gate'. You even spot the differences where with Amateur Radio there is an apparent responsibly that holds such nonsense mostly at bay but seems to relinquish on unlicensed radio systems altogether.


Always good to hear ideas and see enthusiasm for such technologies but quite often the end result is not what is expected.....

Heck, have you seen how many CT call signs we've issued over the years to radio enthusiasts?
With just about every UK town or city having at least one and often many more members you would think that the CB and PMR airwaves would be alive with activity. It's amazing how that initial enthusiasm can wane for so many.



Great posting Andy and ideas are always welcome but I apologise now for my infamous 'waffle' and maybe less than enthusiastic stance to it all.

If you do set up your own channel you'll have to let us know how it all goes with not just the initial positivity but also the longevity of such. I wish you well and glad that you're currently enjoying it all.


All the best,
Victor

+1 on the above lol.
You covered everything i would have said and some Victor.