[VHFcontesting] Rovers and the Authorites

[Jeff Thomas]

While I'm sure every state is different, here in Kentucky "ham radio" comes up from time to time during the training law enforcement and the Fire/EMS service folks go through. It's usually just a mention of us and how we can come to play during a major disaster when communications are disrupted. Often "ham radio" comes up during ICS (Incident Command System) training and large scale disaster response is being covered. Not that this makes the average beat cop an expert on ham radio, but it would not be their first encounter with the term "ham radio."

My approach has always been:

1. Be nice and open with them. Keep your hands in sight and don't be reaching for stuff in your vehicle as they approach. Cops are trained to watch your hands and body language as they approach you initially. How things go during this initial approach can set the tone of what is to follow ;-)

2.  Put yourself in the cop's shoes. He's approaching you most likely
thinking "what in the heck is this guy doing" (I'm using G rated
language here). Put simply, there's nothing normal looking about the
average rover's vehicle, you are going to attract attention.

3.  Show them your ham license and explain what you're doing in general terms they can relate to. Explain that these efforts help us test our equipment, it's range, and that such "tests" can help us help our communities when a communications emergency arises. They can relate to this. Treat it as a goodwill and "teachable moment" for ham radio rather than a disruption. You may very well be the cop's first encounter with an actually ham radio operator and you know what they say about first impressions ;-)

4. Obviously realize that you could be watched (from afar) even if you're not approached, act accordingly, clean up before leaving the site/stop, don't create a safety/traffic issue, and be careful of accidentally trespassing..

5.  In our post 9/11 world, if you're on or near a bridge, tunnel, or other potential terrorist target...you should expect to attract EXTRA "attention" from the folks in blue ;-) You may even be asked to move along, don't argue (doesn't ever help).. just politely move on. If you feel you were treated wrongly, there's a better time and place to deal with it.


73
Jeff
WA4ZKO

http://twitter.com/wa4zko