Where have they gone?

[df3ei]

Good morning, I notice a significant decrease in stations streaming over BATC facilities, members as well as repeaters. I wonder, is this a sign of fading interest in the hobby, an indication of lack of maintenance, negative experiences of any sort, or are there other reasons why stations keep disappearing?

I personally very much enjoy watching activity especially on repeaters that otherwise I would never be able to reach. And, as a repeater keeper myself, I have always enjoyed feedback from viewers via the chat or e-mail.

Unfortunately, the trend is reflected on our terrestrial repeaters, too, where for weeks on end only the testcard or some relayed content can be seen...

What are your thoughts on this development?

Best 73,
Jörg

[DL1BJV]

Hallo Jörg,

just a few thoughts and comments on your post.

No doubt, the BATC streaming facility is an excellent feature giving, not only Members, the possibility to participate and keep in touch worldwide.

I have also noticed that the streaming activity has decreased somewhat but does fluctuate depending on the time of day and year.
I have been watching the BATC Stream almost every evening over the past 7 years, mainly GB3SQ, GB3HV, GB3KM just to mention a few
and of course the BATC QO-100 Net on Thursday evenings, being able to make comments via the Chat.
There are regular event stations giving excellent talks and lectures and also the RSGB GB2RS-News streamed on Sunday mornings.

At the time of writing, I have counted the following numbers of registered BATC Streams:

- Members Stream: 4 online, 267 offline, a total of 271 registered, (only 12 DL Members registered including our callsigns Jörg)

- Repeaters: 13 online, 53 offline, a total of 66 registered,

- Event Stations: 0 online, 15 offline.

So yes, there could be more activity but I think that there is still enough to watch.

BATC Members can access Repeater Streams and put in audio and video with permission of the repeater 'Keeper' who may give you the 'Stream Key'
which you are not permitted to pass on.

One drawback of the Stream is the delay. Having tried duplex QSO's using our Members Streams, the delay increases over time and can become
somewhat irritating. Using VLC reduces the delay a little.

Of course, RF communication is the real way but as you mentioned not possible over the distances that we are confronted with.

Perhaps not all of the BATC Members are aware that they can activate and use their Members Stream. The BATC-Wiki gives an excellent and detailed
description on how this is done:

https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_new_streamer

73,
Wolfgang.

[VK3IE]

Hello all
I think you may find some have moved to YT or other forms of streaming.

In VK a few streams can be found, time difference may be an issue.
Tuesdays around 9~10 utc, you will find the vk3 and vk5 doing there local weekly thing.
Local content but may be worth a look see,

Alway good to see how the other half of the world operate.

Cheers
Rob
VK3IE

[DL5BCA]

Hello,
I have to admit that we switched to Twitch with DB0OV.
The provider is free, has less lag and can be used in HD quality. There are several entry points within Germany, which is helpful if there are any problems.

I will inform BATC as soon as possible that we no longer need to use their service.

[SkyVision]

If we had an central SRT hub with servers in the areas where DATV is popular
That would be a semi-professional set up
Rebroadcasting to the viewers could be SRT, but could be other formats too
Whichever ones people like really

If everyone has their favourite....Twitch/Discord/BATC/Youtube/Facebook,etc
Then we just become fragmented like other digital modes
The BATC through Phil Crump have provided the closest thing to a centralised service
Therefore to stop the bleed to other formats, is it time for a refresh of the BATC streamer

Lets face it the internet is part of DATV but retaining as much RF as possible would be good
Peter VK3BFG's DATV party relies on SRT and the idea is to bring VK/Worldwide operators together
We need to be united by the internet, not divided by this fragmentation of media used
It's about time we had a common mode of SRT inputs to repeaters too

Let's call it IRLP for DATV, we have it at our repeater VK5RDC and VK3RTV has it too via SRT
I'm sure others have something too, unifying it to one standard and linking repeaters is obvious
The RF puritans will be horrified, but check your licence conditions, the internet is part of Amateur Radio
Personally I'd like an SRT input to QO-100, why should you European's and Brits have all the fun

That's my rant, Roger VK5YYY

[g8gtz]

Hi Roger,

I do agree that there's a real danger that the hobby becomes fragmented if we all go off and use a separate platform and while it would be good to give the streamer a refresh I'm afraid it's down to volunteer time and knowledge again...

BATC does actively encourage repeaters to have a streaming input and developed the hardware to do it: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Stream_Receiver

73
Noel G8GTZ

[SkyVision]

Hi Noel

I'm just making noise and dreaming, allot of us look to the BATC for leadership and admire the work of the BATC
Longmynd is a classic example of making something from nothing against the odds with minimal resources
Most journeys start with the first step, call for ideas, subject for next CAT, roadmap, debate, CQTV article etc.
Volunteers would come later and obviously if the streamer was Phil's baby his opinion should be valued highly

Cheers Roger VK5YYY

Calling all stations: WHERE EVER THEY WENT, PLEASE COME BACK!
Sorry for shouting

[VK3IE]

Roger
Excellent views you have with SRT and Keeping in the ATV/BATC family.
Some users don't feel the need or want to be part of the Interweb Facetime groups.

SRT, excellent format to utilise for inputs to Repeater and a like.
Sure we need to keep it 100% Rf where possible,
A SRT feed in to a repeater for viewing on repeaters or BATC excellent
We are in the Digital world.
Some may disapprove of the idea, its not in the true spirit of the hobby,
Many years ago I believe CW enthusiasts were sceptical about SSB,now SSB/CW enthusiasts scoff at FT8,
it’s just evolution, not a revolution.
Just my opinions.

Cheers
Robert
vk3ie