Good points, Rick. That is probably why the ARRL
came up with contests and the DXCC program. Both
programs motivate vast numbers of hams to maintain
top notch HF communications capability. DXers and
contesters are probably not the best prepared (unless
they are also active in RACES/ARES) in terms of
interfacing with first responders and other government
disaster recovery organizations (response protocol
stuff), but they are probably best prepared in terms of
being capable of deliverying good readable signals
under adverse propagation conditions.
73 de Mike, W4EF..........................
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Karlquist" <richard@karlquist.com>
To: "Jim Lux" <jimlux@earthlink.net>
Cc: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2004 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Re: Importance of Amateur Radio Emergency Comms
> Jim Lux said:
> > Also, the "tower in backyard" has a very tenuous connection to "skilled
> > communications operator", unless you're approaching as a sort of quid
pro
> > quo argument... I'll be available as an operator (something YOU want) in
> > exchange for you letting me have an aesthetically undesirable tower
> > (something I want). One could make the argument that you'd be an even
>
> I've long thought we should advance the above argument. Hams invest a lot
> of their own time and money to provide a free-to-the-pubilc communications
> infrastructure in time of emergency. If ham radio were like the "War
> Emergency Radio Service (WERS)" during WWII and solely consisted of
> emergency drills, the amount of time and money invested would drop
> precipitously. It's similar to the duck hunters investing in duck
> habitat to let ducks live so they can then kill the ducks. Sounds
> illogical, but it is perfectly logical. Why can't they just be
> conservationists and not hunt ducks? Answer: because they are
> motivated by hunting, and wouldn't spend their money otherwise.
> That's why they belong to hunting clubs, not the audibon society.
> A lot of seemingly non-emergency related ham radio activities
> contribute to the general infrastructure that is needed in emergencies.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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.
>
> _______________________________________________
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> TowerTalk@contesting.com
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>
_______________________________________________
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.
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