[Dstar] Comment from a D-Star Rptr Project person

Thu Sep 3 22:33:57 CST 2009

Well put Rob! 

What people forget is that a lot of this gear, ie 23cm gear does not
exist, even in the commercial world. Its only now that the vendors are
making duplexers etc.

On a final note, if it wasn't for the actions of Richard VK3JFK we would
not have DSTAR. The countless amount of time he has put into this
project is unbelievable.

Well done Richard, hats off to you!!!

Best Regards

Danny Ainsworth - VK6ZUK

West Australian Repeater Group Vice President

VK6 DSTAR Site Owner

From: dstar-bounces at lists.wia.org.au
[mailto:dstar-bounces at lists.wia.org.au] On Behalf Of Robert McKnight
Sent: Thursday, 3 September 2009 11:51 AM
To: 'Dstar Digital Radio Mail List'
Subject: [Dstar] Comment from a D-Star Rptr Project person

Hi All (especially to my fellow often unfairly criticized D-Star
repeater project people),

Mark Kyle has just posted a polite email to those questioning the
commitment, roll-out, quality & functionality of the Australian D-Star
repeater systems.

Congrats to you Mark for being so nice to the many that have been so
sarcastic & critical of these systems over the past months in not
meeting their lofty expectations.

My take on these unwarranted, ignorant & self-centred comments is the
following.....

Many of you have bitched & whined about buying your D-Star radio & not
(in your opinion), being supplied with the service that you feel you
deserve & are entitled to. 

All I have to say to you is - what a load of crap! 

All you have managed to do is:

1) Buy a radio 

2) Connect it to power & antenna

3) Decide that things aren't up to YOUR expectations

4) Then whinge, bitch, whine, blame & complain to anyone who will listen
(or are forced to)

Many of you have contributed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to the many D-Star
repeater projects & installations, but you feel it is your God-given
right to then air your feelings in the most public way (eg: over the air
& via emails) while also "feeding" off each other with your stupid,
ill-informed, opinionated, smart-arse & sarcastic comments.

I've heard & seen you blame:

1) The WIA 

2) Icom

2) Richard VK3JFK

3) The wankers in Melbourne who don't care about the rest of Australia

4) The D-Star hierarchy (whoever they are)

5) The local D-Star repeater project people (because we're
useless/lazy/stupid/lack technical knowledge/beyond our ability/don't
care/don't contribute enough effort/etc).

Some of you are so funny (not) with your "e-waste" comments or how about
"Actually I've got the s-its too so me is spitting the dummy, being
geared up for Dstar close to 2 years, WIA member 11 years, donated some
cash to the local Dstar club project and my ID-1 purchased in good faith
may as well be in the ------- trash can."

Ignoring the lack of ability in typing a grammatically correct sentence,
if you really feel that way, why don't you actually chuck your radio in
the trash can?

Have you not heard that actions speak louder than words?

I couldn't care less about how long you've owned your radio or been a
WIA member. Those of us who are working on getting the D-Star repeaters
(both WIA & non-WIA) on the air & running 24 hours a day, who quietly
work away in the background, spending our own money, repeatedly driving
to repeater sites, organizing ACMA licensing, dealing with site access &
legality issues, up late at night trying to figure out connectivity
issues, climbing towers to install feed-lines & antennas, giving up our
own family time, making dozens of phone calls, etc etc etc are sick of
hearing your crap.  

Most of you offer nothing but criticism & aim your unfair comments to
people who are doing all of this TOTALLY VOLUNTARILY & who don't forget,
are also your fellow Amateur "brothers".   

If you feel you can do better than us, the WIA, Richard or whomever, why
don't you put your money where your mouth is & go to the effort of
putting a D-Star repeater & gateway on the air & connected to the
internet......then many months later, when you've outlaid considerable
money/time/frustration/effort & it's still not on the air, maybe you
will start to understand how rude & unfair your comments have been.

And those that have tried to blame Richard VK3JFK for his lack of
commitment, effort or ability should hang your collective heads in
shame.

You may have opposing opinions & think he should do things differently
(like the D-Star dashboard crap), but to suggest it's his fault in some
way or he has some sort of political motivations, is downright rude &
shameful. 

Yes, you are entitled to an opinion (as we all are), but perhaps you
should be a bit more considerate of your fellow volunteer Amateurs &
also get yourselves a bit more involved & informed, rather than sitting
back in your chair, firing-off your nasty, vitriolic, rude, sarcastic &
mostly ill-informed opinions to all & sundry. They serve no purpose but
to put a smug smile on your face & perhaps make you feel better about
your lack of actual help & involvement, but in turn alienate & upset the
very people who are working their arses off trying to get these systems
on the air for your friggin' benefit.

Of course some of you will now feel compelled to fire-off strongly
worded replies to my comments, but may I suggest that only those who are
guilty of the above should feel that way & by replying you are only
exposing your own guilt.

Let's all work together, help each other, offer support, speak kindly of
each others efforts & get D-Star flying in this country. 

Yours in Amateur radio,

Rob McKnight - VK2MT

D-Star Project Officer (VK2RDS)

Repeater Chairperson (VK2RMP/VK2RUW/VK2RIS/VK2RBT)

& Vice President

Illawarra Amateur Radio Society inc

PS: I have included my email address if you wish to discuss any of the
above off the mail list.

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