Hacker News Reader

Comment by ourlordcaffeine | Hacker News Reader

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

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

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.

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.)

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

Over a weak radio signal, it will be a nightmare. Sticking to numerics will be far easier.

I have encountered many positive statements about What3Words for emergency response. Just one news article: 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).

There exists vast experience in aviation to learn from. When you’re having radio readability issues you really want a small and clear vocabulary.

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.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com