K9STH
01-28-2002, 02:40 AM
One thing that we do ask on QRZ.com is a valid E-Mail address so that there is some accountability.
As far as "fearing for your family's safety" is concerned, there is much more of a threat from the telephone book listing (I "assume" that you have an unlisted telephone number), from the bureau of motor vehicles (your driver's license and your car license plate information IS public record and is therefore readily available - someone can watch you driving down the street, get your license number, and get the information from the state!), from any credit card purchase that you have made (that information is sold all the time to anyone who wants it - why do you think you get so many of those "free offers" for more credit cards!).
The fact that you are licensed has no bearing on your safety! I am not trying to "make fun" of your concerns. However, I definitely feel that they are unfounded! I only know of one amateur radio operator that was ever threatened physically for operating and that was from his next door neighbor who had TVI and would not cooperate at all with the amateur. In fact, on more than one occasion the amateur actually had his mailbox completely destroyed by a shotgun blast as he was going to get his mail. Since the person who was doing the shooting just happened to be a county commissioner (elected official) the sheriff refused to do anything about this! This was back in the 1950s in northern Indiana. The amateur lived about a mile from my parents house (he was outside of the city limits) and was not that young at the time (he died in the early 1990s, was almost 100). I was in high school when I first met him.
Anyway, I do hope that you will use a valid E-Mail address, and, hopefully, very soon, start identifying yourself.
Glen, K9STH
Contact: gzook@attbi.com
As far as "fearing for your family's safety" is concerned, there is much more of a threat from the telephone book listing (I "assume" that you have an unlisted telephone number), from the bureau of motor vehicles (your driver's license and your car license plate information IS public record and is therefore readily available - someone can watch you driving down the street, get your license number, and get the information from the state!), from any credit card purchase that you have made (that information is sold all the time to anyone who wants it - why do you think you get so many of those "free offers" for more credit cards!).
The fact that you are licensed has no bearing on your safety! I am not trying to "make fun" of your concerns. However, I definitely feel that they are unfounded! I only know of one amateur radio operator that was ever threatened physically for operating and that was from his next door neighbor who had TVI and would not cooperate at all with the amateur. In fact, on more than one occasion the amateur actually had his mailbox completely destroyed by a shotgun blast as he was going to get his mail. Since the person who was doing the shooting just happened to be a county commissioner (elected official) the sheriff refused to do anything about this! This was back in the 1950s in northern Indiana. The amateur lived about a mile from my parents house (he was outside of the city limits) and was not that young at the time (he died in the early 1990s, was almost 100). I was in high school when I first met him.
Anyway, I do hope that you will use a valid E-Mail address, and, hopefully, very soon, start identifying yourself.
Glen, K9STH
Contact: gzook@attbi.com