[TowerTalk] Command Post

[John King]

While these posts don't address contesting, they do involve the use of towers, antennas and Amateur Radio in general.

These posts remind me of a local Sheriff who has issued a press release here in  Louisiana to the effect that his office is going to erect a tower, a repeater and antennas and GET hams licensed to operate on "his" repeater in emergencies.

That doesn't sound like something that would be in the best interest of Amateur radio. Where will he get a frequency? Who will stoop to VE these "shack on the belt Hams"? Seems like Citizens Band Radio with a new twist. Sounds like "don't waste an emergency" because it is "a means to an end" and that "end" sounds like the "end of amateur radio" as we know it.

As an Amateur Radio Operator licensed for 51 years, this new twist of an otherwise wonderful Hobby and Public Service makes me SICK!!

I have a 40 ft. Diesel pusher motor Coach with two Icom 706 MKIIG transceivers, an Icom 718, a 2KW PEP solid state amplifier, a Heath SB 200 amplifier and a Predator Screwdriver antenna. It is not a "Command Center" but do you think I might get a GRANT??
 73, John, K5PGW