[CQ-Contest] Real emergencies

[Tom McAlee]

> K0SR wrote:  Unless an emergency is declared by the appropriate
authorities it is not up to an individual amateur radio operator to decide,
on his own, that something is an emergency and begin non-amateur
communications

Last time I read the rules, anyone is allowed to use any means of
radiocommunication at their disposal when life or property is at risk and
other communication systems are not available.

Have I misinterpreted section 403 of part 97?  I see nothing about having to
wait for an offical to declare an emergency.

Tom, NI1N

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve.Root at culligan.com" <steve.root at culligan4water.com>
To: ""Bryan W5KFT"" <w5kft at nts-online.net>; <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 6:19 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Real emergencies


> Still a tough call.  Would you risk losing your license to save somebody's
> life?  In a stituation like a traffic accident minutes mean everything and
> there probably isn't time to go through proper channels.  I hope none of
us
> ever have to make the choice that W5KFT did, but if it comes down to
helping
> somebody in dire need I think most of us know what we would do.
>
> 73 Steve K0SR
>