[RFI] Today's Wall Stree Journal front page article on hams & BPL

[Tom Horton]

At 20:51 03/24/04, dgsvetan at rockwellcollins.com wrote:
>To be fair, I do personally
>know DXers and contesters who participate in public service events and
>support work in association with various local radio clubs and RACES, ARES,
>etc.  However, many more do not.  I have frequently seen where contesters
>and DXers write letters to editors extoling the virtues of their activities
>as "utilizing the amateur radio frequencies".  Yes, that's true, but to
>what or whose purpose?  IMHO, it is exactly that sort of distorted thinking
>that can lead to our HF spectrum getting trampled by the greedy (and well
>heeled) power lobby and our VHF/UHF bands being parceled off to other
>interests who offer more "public service", however it may be defined.

  Frankly, I think that a very large majority of the DXers and Contesters DO
provide services in situations where communication skills are needed.
  I would say that these types of operators (of which I am proudly a member)
have the communication skills that are needed in emergency situations.
I think that these folks are as well trained for communicating, or more so, 
than
all those trained by the ARES, RACES, etc training nets that are so popular.

73, Tom K5IID

Finally back home in TEXAS!

"E"  Sorter for the ARRL W5 QSL Bureau
Hillsboro, TX