That word! The one that means forking out that hard earned cash, however little. There's a principle at stake right? After all it's a "FREE" program isn't it! :-)
Yip, it is, BTL V1.51 is absolutely FREE. If you like, you can pay me nothing at all, I actually get quite a buzz just from the fact that people are using BTL, and like it! I really like the idea that BTL is encouraging many hams who have never used RTTY, or who may have been inactive for some time, to get back into digital modes, making Ham Radio better for everyone. There's no substitute for activity and enthusiasm. What would our hobby be without them? After all this isn't just digging up that old teleprinter again, this is something new, the leading edge of Amateur Radio, with a whole world of new possibilities!
Of course lots of people either can't afford expensive modems, or can't justify buying one just to give digital modes a try. Fair enough too! Well, BTL is for YOU! BTL developed out of me just hacking around on my computer with DSP on a PC, and having put so much effort into it, as a hobby, for interest, I realised that I had something that others would find extremely useful, and with a little work I could release BTL to the ham community and put back into the hobby a little of what I have got out of ham radio over the years. This, I feel is part of the spirit of the hobby, and part of what makes ham radio so much fun to be a part of. Had a program like BTL come out a few years earlier it would have been like a dream come true to me! So I've been aiming to produce a simple, free, download 'n play, RTTY modem using today's technology, to provide today's performance, so people can get onto real RTTY, cheaply. Long gone are the days of low performance op-amp converters!
There's still a few things I would like to add to BTL to really fulfill my aims for releasing a free software modem, but like any ham project there's so much more I'd like to do, but like everyone else, it's a matter of finding the time and getting motivated to do it. Lots of people out there have written to me, offering suggestions and enthusiastic encouragement. Without their encouragement BTL would have probably died a natural death long ago, as do so many other ham projects, so I can't thank everyone enough for your interest, ideas and encouragement, you have truly made BTL what it is today!
But unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) my dreams are getting even more grand,
and other people's wish lists are getting longer. It seems such a
shame to have to stop here! The amount of work now required to continue
with BTL is enormous, and I really need more than just moral support,
especially if I am going to work on BTL full time! Time is money etc, and a hobby only
warrants so much time.
Registering. What's in it for you?
Most obviously, with enough support, BTL doesn't stop here!
Secondly, the free hand-outs are about to stop! With a few more tweaks,
BTL will have achieved what I hoped for a free RTTY modem, ie it's a
great package to get started with on RTTY, with high
performance and ease of use! But modes like PACTOR require licenses,
and I think further development justifies a small charge, given
that there is a decent free alternative, and given the amount of work
involved. After all how much would you spend on any other curiosity
ham project, let alone anything more serious, like an antenna, "bug"
keyer, SWR meter, or some kitset!
Registered users (registered before V2.0) are entitled to free upgrades! That means
you don't pay for later versions that everyone else will have to pay
for! The current price only lasts until the next version is released so you'd
better be quick! Registration after that may cost more! - Say you saw
this and register before the next version for only US$20! (or $NZ 30,
see below for accepted forms of payment)
Of course I can't promise how many new versions there will be, it really
depends upon support, time, etc, but I'm sure you'll agree that what you
have already would be a bargain at twice the price!!
Suggestions from registered users have sometimes, in the past, been included
in new Beta versions and mailed out to the user (and sometimes
other registered users) in a week or so! Registered users can have
a real hands on influence on the development of BTL and get their
features included and on their PC long before any official release!
A "registered user only" rule may be more rigidly adhered to in future.
I don't like "Cripple-ware", programs that don't work properly or
have annoying messages if you don't register them. Make cripple-ware
unnecessary, register anyway!
Registering is not buying the program, the program is free, and
available without registering. Registering in no way provides any
warrantee for BTL. BTL is provided as is, for FREE! Registering
does not guarantee any services either. "Registering" in this instance
is a pledge of financial support, a donation if you like, for which I
will be most grateful! It doesn't cover any specific future or past
production but rather is made in appreciation that some form of production
occurred at all! I will certainly endeavor to show my gratitude
through the ongoing development and support of BTL. Users registering
before V2.0 will be entitled to free upgrades. Many thanks!
.
Fill in the registration form NOW and email it to me at: robglassey@geocities.com
----------------------------------------------------- Subject: BTL registration Hi Rob, I'd like to register my copy of Blaster TeLetype, Version 1.51 I'm <your name>, <your call>, from <your QTH>. My postal/email address is: <your email or postal address> I'll be posting you $US 20 (or other acceptable payment, please state) with a printed copy of this email (or written details) to your address as shown below. This is the reduced registration rate I saw on your web site, so I'll send my funds by airmail as soon as possible so that I can take advantage of this special registration offer before Version 2.0 comes out. Please email me when you receive my funds. <your comments etc> Many thanks, and I will look forward to hearing from you soon. 73's <yourname.. etc> P.S. Registration funds and details posted to: Robert Glassey 52 Bourne Crescent Papanui Christchurch 8005 New Zealand -----------------------------------------------------NOTE: My address has changed since the release of BTL 1.51. Letters sent to the old address shown in BTL 1.51 will still be forwarded to me, but my new address will be quicker.
$US 20 cash
ŁUK 15 cash
$NZ 30 cash
$NZ 30 postal order
$US 20 personal cheque drawn on US bank (your bank my charge a clearing fee, deposited in NZ)
ŁUK 15 personal cheque drawn on British bank (no clearing fees, deposited in UK)
$NZ 30 personal cheque drawn on NZ bank (no clearing fees, deposited in NZ)
$US 20 equivalent personal cheque in any European or most world currencies.
Email me to check if your currency is OK.
ŁUK 15 deposit in Lloyds Bank account in UK. Email for details.
$NZ 30 deposit in ANZ Bank account in NZ. Email for details.
Cheques to be made payable to Robert B Glassey.
Bank deposits should include the details "BTL registration" and your name. You needn't follow a bank deposit with a letter, notification via email is fine.
Please hide cash inside the envelope well. Don't use white paper envelopes.
Many thanks!!
Rob, now ZL2AKM, ex G0VTQ
Brave souls have been tempted to visit this page since 7 January 1998