[CQ-Contest] Real emergencies

[Joe Subich, K4IK]

> NI1N writes: 
> 
> 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.

That allows an amateur to use any means of communications "when 
normal means of communications are not available."  However, it 
does not permit an amateur to intentionally ignore (fail to own 
and/or deploy) normal commercial communications services.  To 
use amateur communications as a first line substitute for the 
prescribed commercial marine and satellite communications is 
simply illegal. 

Similarly, 97.403 does not permit a non-amateur to use amateur 
facilities - it speaks only to an "amateur station" (defined 
97.3(a)).

73, 

   ... Joe, K4IK