Avoid double-keying

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You might have done this yourself. After you speak on the radio, you released your PTT, then remembered that you needed to add one more thought, and pressed your PTT again to say what you just remembered. Well, that’s not so bad, right? I mean, we do it all the time on the phone. And I suppose that’s where the habit comes from, because we’re so used to speaking in full-duplex, which is that you and I can talk and hear each other at the same time.

This is a small annoyance known as double-keying. It can be irritating to the person you’re speaking with, especially if that other person believes it’s his or her turn to speak. The result is often that you two will be speaking on the radio at the same time, and unlike with a phone conversation, neither of you will have heard the other. Of course, this’ll require your friend to repeat what he or she just said.

Avoiding double-keying takes a little practice and a little patience. When you say something on the radio, then release your PTT, resist the temptation to press the PTT again, and train yourself to wait for the other person to respond before pressing yours. This might not come naturally, because we don’t talk that way, and we don’t use a PTT button when we’re on the phone.

It’s very possible that what you have to add at the end of your transmission is very important. Is it important enough to stomp on your friend’s transmission and cancel everything he or she said? Probably not. Now, are there times when double-keying is acceptable? Yes, if, for example, you’re delivering a training topic or telling a story over the repeater, it’s very acceptable to un-key, pause for a second, then resume, because nobody is expected to speak next except you. (By the way, there’s no need to say anything like pause for reset, although there’s no problem with saying it either.)

How Cold Weather Affects Your Internet

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As winter settles in and temperatures drop, you might notice changes in your internet connection. Whether it’s slower speeds, intermittent disconnections, or poor streaming quality, cold weather can have surprising effects on your internet performance. Here’s a closer look at how cold weather impacts your internet and what you can do to stay connected.

1. How Cold Temperatures Impact Internet Cables and Equipment

Cold temperatures can affect the physical infrastructure that powers your internet connection. Fiber-optic cables, while highly durable, can become brittle in freezing conditions, increasing the risk of damage. Similarly, copper wiring used in some internet systems can experience signal degradation due to temperature fluctuations. Outdoor modems and routers can also suffer from exposure to freezing temperatures, potentially leading to slower speeds or disconnections.

2. Ice and Snow: A Major Culprit in Internet Disruptions

Ice and snow accumulation on overhead lines, satellite dishes, or other outdoor equipment can cause interruptions in service. Heavy snow can block satellite signals, leading to poor performance for users relying on satellite internet. Additionally, melting snow and ice can seep into equipment enclosures, potentially causing water damage and further connectivity issues.

3. Wireless Internet Challenges in Cold Weather

Cold weather doesn’t directly affect Wi-Fi signals inside your home, but it can impact wireless internet connections that rely on outdoor transmission towers. Frost and ice can create barriers to signal transmission, resulting in slower speeds or increased latency. If you’re far from the nearest tower, the effects may be more noticeable during extreme weather conditions.

4. Increased Internet Demand During Winter Months

When temperatures drop, people spend more time indoors streaming, gaming, and working online. This increased usage can strain local networks, especially during peak hours. While this isn’t a direct effect of the weather, it’s an important factor that can amplify connectivity issues during the winter months.