Topband: Legality of Circumventing Commercial MaritimeISP Services??

[Carl]

Is that any different than the traffic nets used on the hambands since the 
20's or earlier?  They were also accused of circumventing MaBell.

If the communications are strictly personal then the emails would 
qualify...no? IMO that should be the dividing line and if it is work related 
then pay the going rate.

OTOH if someone can afford just the fuel for a yatch then a mere $250 a year 
shouldnt be a hardship (-;

Carl
KM1H




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charlie Cunningham" <charlie-cunningham at nc.rr.com>
To: <W5DNT at arrl.net>; <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2014 11:37 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Legality of Circumventing Commercial MaritimeISP 
Services??


> Well, that is exactly what it's all about, Dan!!
>
> Some of us need to press those points really hard with FCC and ARRL!  They
> are trying to usurp our amateur spectrum for commercial and monetary
> purposes
>
> And it really IS about the maritime services!! They are wanting to provide
> Internet services in the amateur bands for commercial and monetary 
> purposes.
>
> 73,
> Charlie, K4OTV
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dan 
> White
> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2014 10:49 PM
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: Legality of Circumventing Commercial Maritime ISP
> Services??
>
>
> Yachtsmen may be using amateur radio in order to avoid paying the fees
> for more expensive maritime email systems, perhaps such as
> http://www.sailmail.com/ , which charges an annual vessel fee of $250.
> This is most certainly a "radio service".
>
> Winlink on the other hand, operates under Part 97 of FCC Regulations.
> They market themselves to boat owners for maritime use. See
> http://www.winlink.org/node/233 for details.
>
> My question is simple and legitimate. After reading FCC Part 97.113
> which deals with Prohibited Amateur Communications, the rules
> specifically state routine communications are prohibited in cases where
> other radio services are available. Are the yachtsmen using email
> servers operating within our amateur spectrum in compliance with FCC
> Part 97.113?
>
> FCC Part 97.113 a:  No amateur station shall transmit,
> (5)Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be
> furnished alternatively through other radio services.
>
> 73,
> Dan
> W5DNT
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