Leaving aside the proprietary codec, much of the specification has been implemented as open source software; for those that don't like the codec, there is work progressing on a replacement, which I am following closely. For what it's worth, this is the second time today I've had this debate, and hopefully I'm making sense about it.
>________________________________
> From: Sandy <
[hidden email]>
>To:
[hidden email]; Greg Troxel <
[hidden email]>
>Cc:
[hidden email]
>Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 10:13 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] D-Star
>
>Amen, amen! Ditto for the Proprietery PACTOR III !!!! Or anything else
>"Proprietary" PERIOD!
>
>This isn't what ham radio is all about! Can't agree with you more Don!
>
>73,
>
>Sandy W5TVW
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Don Wilhelm
>Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 8:42 PM
>To: Greg Troxel
>Cc:
[hidden email]
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] D-Star
>
>I agree fully, despite the article in the May issue of QST which glosses
>over the proprietary nature of D-Star.
>
>I am opposed to the use of proprietary protocols in ham radio. Ham
>radio to me is free radio. I have passed my license requirements, and
>should be able to use whatever modulation techniques are authorized by
>the FCC. The thought of paying for a license (even though that payment
>may be bundled with a transceiver purchase) is foreign to my views of
>ham radio.
>
>Certainly, I buy computers with Windows loaded, but I do not buy Icom
>transceivers with D-Star loaded. That is what is foreign to my view of
>ham radio.
>
>Until someone comes up with an open source and free to use substitute
>for the AMBE Codec that is owned by Digital Voice Systems, Inc., I will
>not be using D-Star.
>
>73,
>Don W3FPR
>
>On 4/28/2012 9:17 PM, Greg Troxel wrote:
>> I would hope that Elecraft would not add D-Star support; I think it's
>> against the spirit of amateur radio, and particularly contrary to the
>> kit culture, to have an on-air specification that an individual amateur
>> is precluded from implementing without obtaining a patent license.
>>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>Help:
http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>Post: mailto:
[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by:
http://www.qsl.net>Please help support this email list:
http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
>
>-----
>No virus found in this message.
>Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2411/4965 - Release Date: 04/28/12
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>Help:
http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>Post: mailto:
[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by:
http://www.qsl.net>Please help support this email list:
http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
>
>