Topband: Legality of Circumventing Commercial Maritime ISP Services??

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

I understand the importance of this issue and ham radio but what exactly 
does this have to do with topband?  Are we really concerned that people 
are going to use topband for this?

The best course of action would be to contact your lawmakers in DC and 
get someone to sponsor some legislation to slam the door on this illegal 
activity.

If you own a boat you can afford to buy the right maritime radio 
equipment.  Quit making excuses about wanting to be tracked and all the 
other bs that is bantered about.  There are maritime frequencies and 
services for you.  Use them and quit jeopardizing our frequencies 
especially if you are a ham.

Mike W0MU

On 3/15/2014 8:49 PM, Dan White wrote:
>
> 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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