3 ms·

I mean there are also normal co-ordinates, and also the grid reference system in the UK. What3words will be a nightmare over a weak voice radio signal, if amat

I mean there are also normal co-ordinates, and also the grid reference system in the UK. What3words will be a nightmare over a weak voice radio signal, if amateur radio experiences are anything to go by

bfieidhbrjr 7y ago
It’s literally designed to be used over voice, that’s the entire point.
- ourlordcaffeine 7y ago
  Over a weak radio signal, it will be a nightmare. Sticking to numerics will be far easier.
  - snodnipper 7y ago
    I have encountered many positive statements about What3Words for emergency response. Just one news article: https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/17935101.what3words-app-used-south-western-ambulance-find-patients/ https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/17935101.what3words-app-us... Can you comment more about "weak radio signal"? Perhaps one can deduce the a number by hearing a small sample of a sound...whereas W3W has a wider vocabulary? My guess is that if necessary, one could repeat each word several times (e.g. over a period of 10 seconds).
    - ryanlol 7y ago
      There exists vast experience in aviation to learn from. When you’re having radio readability issues you really want a small and clear vocabulary.
      - snodnipper 7y ago
        Thanks - I can see that. I am guessing that the smaller vocabulary is particularly useful in analogue systems. Perhaps W3W is viewed positively for (digital) cellular connections but might be inappropriate for other radio technology.
bloak 7y ago
You're right, I think. Non-native speakers trying to communicate over a bad audio channel is particularly difficult. Much better to stick to digits in those circumstances. (In aviation you can use letters, too, because you can rely on both parties knowing their Alfa Bravo Charlie. Unfortunately, that spelling alphabet is not taught to the general public.)
kawfey 7y ago
The Maidenhead Locator System, paired with the phonetic alphabet (or via CW) is extremely robust, but requires a relatively long string to get to 3m accuracy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System What I would suggest to W3W or WFW is to have a alphanumeric "backup" similar to the gridsquare system that can be spoken over rough radio channels.

bfieidhbrjr 7y ago

It’s literally designed to be used over voice, that’s the entire point.

ourlordcaffeine 7y ago
Over a weak radio signal, it will be a nightmare. Sticking to numerics will be far easier.
- snodnipper 7y ago
  I have encountered many positive statements about What3Words for emergency response. Just one news article: https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/17935101.what3words-app-used-south-western-ambulance-find-patients/ https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/17935101.what3words-app-us... Can you comment more about "weak radio signal"? Perhaps one can deduce the a number by hearing a small sample of a sound...whereas W3W has a wider vocabulary? My guess is that if necessary, one could repeat each word several times (e.g. over a period of 10 seconds).
  - ryanlol 7y ago
    There exists vast experience in aviation to learn from. When you’re having radio readability issues you really want a small and clear vocabulary.
    - snodnipper 7y ago
      Thanks - I can see that. I am guessing that the smaller vocabulary is particularly useful in analogue systems. Perhaps W3W is viewed positively for (digital) cellular connections but might be inappropriate for other radio technology.

bloak 7y ago

You're right, I think. Non-native speakers trying to communicate over a bad audio channel is particularly difficult. Much better to stick to digits in those circumstances. (In aviation you can use letters, too, because you can rely on both parties knowing their Alfa Bravo Charlie. Unfortunately, that spelling alphabet is not taught to the general public.)

kawfey 7y ago

The Maidenhead Locator System, paired with the phonetic alphabet (or via CW) is extremely robust, but requires a relatively long string to get to 3m accuracy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System What I would suggest to W3W or WFW is to have a alphanumeric "backup" similar to the gridsquare system that can be spoken over rough radio channels.