WRDE563 Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 Has anyone seen this or tried using it? https://www.ribbitradio.org/#/ Ribbit, is a new digital text messaging mode for VHF/UHF simplex and repeater communication, leveraging the computing power, GPS, and touchscreen interface of modern smartphones to enhance the capabilities of a simple Handy Talkie (or mobile transceiver) without requiring a cable or additional hardware. Ribbit primary focus is on emergency communications when cellular connectivity is down. WRQC527 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 This is the first time I've seen it, but it does look very interesting. I've tried sending text messages over APRS with varying levels of success, mostly frustrating, bit I'll definitely check this out. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 Do I see this correctly ?!? We are back to the days of Acoustic Couplers but without the devices being mechanically linked ... So now you only need a smartphone that is charged, has the app installed, and is constantly listening to your HT... I what universe is it the better and more reliable option to add a tech component and an air gapped audio connection ... Sounds like someone is trying to burn some research funding ?!? However, I agree with one aspect - - if we are experiencing a catastrophe, please let it and everyone be silent I am not convinced ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 So if I want to communicate with someone, I need my cell phone and radio tied together somehow? I was thinking at that point I would just use my radio and ignore my cell phone. gortex2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sshannon Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 8 minutes ago, back4more70 said: So if I want to communicate with someone, I need my cell phone and radio tied together somehow? I was thinking at that point I would just use my radio and ignore my cell phone. How did you think you would generate the text messages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 1 hour ago, back4more70 said: So if I want to communicate with someone, I need my cell phone and radio tied together somehow? I was thinking at that point I would just use my radio and ignore my cell phone. "Tied together" would actually make sense but this scheme is having the phone and the radio "yell" at each other and listen ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweiss3 Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 This can already be done with any digital mode Fldigi has. There is a mobile version for android phones, and it works pretty well. Our ARES team uses it weekly after the net to send all the announcements in text format using MT63 with a 2000 pass band. Borage257 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borage257 Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 Btech has an aprs cable for the Kenwood connector radios. I find Andflmsg has better capabilities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sshannon Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 I think maybe you guys are missing the point. This is something that doesn’t rely on having the right cable for the right radio. It can be used with any radio. In an emergency situation you could set up a beacon using the cheapest radio and phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 33 minutes ago, Sshannon said: I think maybe you guys are missing the point. This is something that doesn’t rely on having the right cable for the right radio. It can be used with any radio. In an emergency situation you could set up a beacon using the cheapest radio and phone. Not missing the point but questioning the functioning in a real-life / emergency situation. Beacon and Emergency sounds like a radio taped to a pole or tree with duct tape - - that to me negated a reliable audio connection between the radio and the phone. It sounds like an "easy" option for any situation, but I question that it is. The fact that I can set something like that up in a ham shack is not prove of concept for the intended use-case. (Apart from the fact that my shack would have the right cable for the available hardware). I guess what it boils down to is that I do not oppose the idea. But I do question the "marketing". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted September 4, 2023 Report Share Posted September 4, 2023 On 9/2/2023 at 5:21 PM, Sshannon said: How did you think you would generate the text messages? I was making a joke that I don't need to send text messages if I have my radio, I will just speak into the radio Or I guess I could just channel my inner Picard and encode a binary message in Data's positronic brain to be found a few centuries later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted September 4, 2023 Report Share Posted September 4, 2023 4 hours ago, back4more70 said: making a joke In my personal experience, jokes here are a mixed bag. Five people will LOL, one person will write me a dead-serious technical service bulletin explaining the joke and why it's not really a joke. Also, my wife never types to generate text messages, she insists on voice-to-text. So I guess she's ahead of the Ribbit curve. WRUU653 and Sshannon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted September 4, 2023 Report Share Posted September 4, 2023 24 minutes ago, WRQC527 said: ... one person will write me a dead-serious technical service bulletin explaining the joke and why it's not really a joke "Some People"... WRUU653 and WRQC527 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted September 4, 2023 Report Share Posted September 4, 2023 12 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said: "Some People"... Yes, them people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYK453 Posted September 19, 2023 Report Share Posted September 19, 2023 On 9/4/2023 at 2:56 PM, WRQC527 said: In my personal experience, jokes here are a mixed bag. Five people will LOL, one person will write me a dead-serious technical service bulletin explaining the joke and why it's not really a joke. Also, my wife never types to generate text messages, she insists on voice-to-text. So I guess she's ahead of the Ribbit curve. Jokes aren't just a mixed bag here...I find that jokes fall flat everywhere post Covid - people just take things way to serious nowadays. WRXB215 and WRQC527 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sshannon Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 So I sent a link to a couple friends of mine in Washington state. One of them is really into EMCOMMs. Here’s what he said: “Anyway, I was wrong in my initial assessment of this. It's SO EASY to use on VHF/UHF and probably HF (if noise is low) that it's a must have.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQF702 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 I love Ribbit I even have my kids using it. so simple and works well. Totally worth the install and testing it out. It will win you over when you do. so fast to transmit just what you need. I do want to try it on HF to see what it can do for us over the 40m and 80m bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRHS218 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Since this topic has been semi-resurrected I have a question. If two radios are at the fringe of receiving signals to the point that voice is breaking up or coming in and out while receiving will the Ribbit signal be more receivable than voice? I know that a digital signal will often be stronger on fringes than analog voice. I don't know if I am articulating my question clearly but hopefully someone will get it. WRUU653 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxCar Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Digital signals are decoded until the bit error rate reaches the point the signal can no longer be decoded. That said, it means the signal doesn't fade, it just drops off entirely. Analog FM fades as it gets further away but digital is there till it isn't. WRHS218 and WRXB215 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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