I downloaded the HF-ALE software this week and got it working. For those that aren't familiar with ALE, (Automatic Link Exchange), it's a tool that come in software form or can be built into the rig that polls each band for other stations to find out which band can make be used to make the trip. You can also actively call another station, or just put it in broadcast mode for others to respond to you.
I must say that the idea is pretty neat. The sotware has settings to detect if there is already a voice or other digital conversation going on if you have it actively calling. If it detects something, it just moves on. I'm not sure how well that works yet, but that should ease some fears about it just stomping on top of everything else. I must say that the software is pretty difficult to understand. I'm a software guy so I got it working pretty quickly, but it's not for the weak-hearted. The manual is thorough but technical. This software has been written by some pretty smart guys, but it's obvious they are engineers, not software designers. They need to get some user interface experts to help them out
Unfortunately where I was trying this initiall was on the MARS frequencies and my auto-tuner in the rig just can't make the frequencies they're using. I may stick the LDG auto tuner inline and see what happens. If you're going to play with this stuff within the ham bands you may not have this problem. I will say that an autotuner of some type is a must. Anyway, I'll keep playing with it and report back. If you have the station capabilities, it seems like a fun project to get going.
I must say that the idea is pretty neat. The sotware has settings to detect if there is already a voice or other digital conversation going on if you have it actively calling. If it detects something, it just moves on. I'm not sure how well that works yet, but that should ease some fears about it just stomping on top of everything else. I must say that the software is pretty difficult to understand. I'm a software guy so I got it working pretty quickly, but it's not for the weak-hearted. The manual is thorough but technical. This software has been written by some pretty smart guys, but it's obvious they are engineers, not software designers. They need to get some user interface experts to help them out
Unfortunately where I was trying this initiall was on the MARS frequencies and my auto-tuner in the rig just can't make the frequencies they're using. I may stick the LDG auto tuner inline and see what happens. If you're going to play with this stuff within the ham bands you may not have this problem. I will say that an autotuner of some type is a must. Anyway, I'll keep playing with it and report back. If you have the station capabilities, it seems like a fun project to get going.