Your assumption about future reduced need for hams at public functions is
logical. And yes, for those events with a big budget, they can hire
professionals to do the communications. However, the majority of public
functions will need "free" ham radio assistance, especially those raising
money for charity.
OTOH, the need for good communications during an emergency is completely
different. No matter how much money and technology is available, working a
disaster such as 9/11/2001 will ALWAYS rely on ham radio. We are the only
game in town, and this will likely continue in the future, due in part to
public apathy in disaster planning.
Keith NM5G
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 3:47 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Chicago Tribune news: Ham radio tower has the
OKsignal
At 07:07 PM 9/23/2004 +0000, Rob Atkinson, K5UJ wrote:
>Further, it should be noted that Wheaton is the town where the late
>Grote Reber made history when he assembled, in his backyard, the
>world's first parabolic dish radio telescope, which is now on permanent
>display at the American National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Reber,
>who may be turning over in his grave now, probably didn't have
>neighbors putting NO RADIO TOWER signs on their front lawns.
>
>Rob/K5UJ
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
>[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dan Bookwalter
>Sent: Friday, 24 September 2004 5:39 a.m.
>To: Rob Atkinson, K5UJ; towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Chicago Tribune news: Ham radio tower has the
>OKsignal
Rob makes an excellent point. All this talking about emergency
communications is fine and well, but, realistically, public safety folks are
relying on hams less and less, because the technology available to them is
getting better and cheaper, and because the folks with the money are more
willing to spend it on comms. I'd venture to say that public safety
repeaters have battery backups, etc. Certainly, the California OES (Office
of Emerg Svcs) HF links have battery or generator backup. Not to mention
that for long distance comm, satellite phones (which are in the few $K
range) have a ground infrastucture that is not particularly vulnerable.
As the wireless industry grows, and sees the advertising value of providing
free services to public occasions (parades, etc.), the need for amateur
radio in this situation will decrease. (The Rose Parade is a fine example...
NEXTEL provides their walkie-talkie phones to all the staff, which they find
much more convenient than having to relay through a pair of ham "shadows" on
2m HTs). Amateur radio will probably always find a place in low budget
activities without much public exposure (long distance foot races like the
Angeles Crest 100, for instance).
Amateur radio has many aspects, and emergency comms and public service is
but one of the 5 enumerated in 97.1 . The "advancement of the radio art"
(97.1(b), (c))is equally (if not more) important, in my opinion. An amateur
radio licensee "serves the public good" as much by developing and testing
new antenna technology and modulation schemes with that tower as by
providing potential emergency comms. Likewise, such work "expands the
reservoir of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts".
(97.1(d))
To hang all the arguments for towers on the emergency communications thing
is doomed to eventual failure, because we won't be able to make a credible
and believable case for its necessity. It's especially hard because of
basic optimism: that disaster won't happen here, so why would we need this
capability to deal with it.
On the other hand, the U.S. has a long and honored tradition of garage
tinkering. The Wright Bros are a century old example, as are other early
automotive inventors. Hewlett and Packard are more recent, and more directly
relevant to the electronics field. Bill Gates is even more recent.
What's important is not necessarily the shining stars that emerge from such
tinkering, but that thousands have contributed as well. Some succeed, most
don't, but the trial and error process lives.
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
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http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
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