View Full Version : Amateur Radio Recognition
k7sbk
10-12-2005, 06:55 PM
The following is an excerpt from a column by John C. Dvorak in Nov 8, 2005 issue of PC Magazine.
" Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina, it was reported that over 100 Internet networks were still down in Louisiana, as well as another dozen elsewhere that had been in the path of the hurricane. So much for the notion that the Web is impossible to kill. Hard to have an Internet with no power! WiMAX and other solutions are useless, too, though I suppose a generator would be useful for WiMAX. Whatever the case, the most overlooked participants in the Katrina relief effort were the ham radio folks, who were doing whatever they could as ad hoc emergency dispatchers, creating their own network within the system. These dedicated persons pride themselves on their ability to do worldwide communications under adverse conditions, and the ARRL and its members, as well as others, were a big part of the aid effort. Of course, since amateur radio is anything but trendy in today's Xbox, gene-splicing world, there was zero coverage of its contribution in the mainstream press, and these people are not the world's greatest self-promoters. At least some of us are paying attention. Good Work, guys! Bush should be giving medals to you all. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
k7sbk
nice message
patrick nn8n
k9zmd
10-15-2005, 03:12 PM
Agreed, a very nice message. #Do your suppose that the author, John C. Dvorak, is related in some way to John S. Dvorak, W9ZUV? If so, we've just seen a neat tribute to that relationship and I'd like to commend John S. Dvorak on his positive image & influence.
I remember discussing this subject with Marty, AE6IP here on QRZ. Of course he said that this type of disaster could never happen. Data networks were too dependable. ROFL!!!
Very nice piece, it is always nice to see credit given to those who don't ask for it. It is a shame that there is usually little or no mention of the ham operators who volunteer to help maintain some type of communications during a disaster to unaffected area's. My hat's off to the hams who were able to assist in the affected area's.
This Dvorak fellow used to be on the radio, as well as in PC magazine. At any rate, you won't find a better remark than his in this note.
KC9EOQ
10-16-2005, 01:40 AM
I just happen to read the column by Mr. Dvorak earlier to day and came here to see if he was a ham also. It doesn't look like it, so that makes his recognition of the Amateur Radio Service even more significant. I plan to e-mail him at pcmag@dvorak.org to thank him for his comments.
Dean
KC9EOQ
n3nkc
10-16-2005, 02:56 AM
John C. Dvorak also used to be on TechTV with his own news-opinion show. He has always hit the nail on the head with his comments and defends them to the end. I believe him to be one of the best in PC news opinions that is out there. I am also very happy to see him comment on 2 hobbies I love. His recognition of amateur radio service does show that people out there can and are seeing what we do (just not as much as we'd like see) and he does once again hit the nail on the head with his comments. I agree that we are not the best in self-promotion (or any promotion for that matter) of ham radio. Hopefully these comments in a publication like PC Magazine could stir some interest from the "geek" sector. I know I am one of those "geeks" who by day is fixing computers and networks, and by night pounding brass looking for DX.
Thank You very much John C. Dvorak for recognizing our hobby and efforts. And a very big Thank You goes to all those who selflessly gave their time in any way helping all those in need in a time of disaster.
73
John "N3 Nat King Cole"
KD8CGF
10-16-2005, 07:42 AM
Also see this article (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05249/566476.stm), originally published in the Wall Street Journal. # It ends with some ambivalence.
k5xyl
10-16-2005, 04:41 PM
In response to the negative comments given by Mr. Screeden of Motorola in the article in the Wall Street Journal (see post above for link) stating that "ham radios are pretty close to nothing".....
"Nothing" seemed to work just fine, regardless of the amount of time that it took hams to relay "nothing" in comparison to Mr. Screeden's non-functioning communications system. Our "nothing" will out-perform his "non-functioning" any day of the year.
I live 55 miles east of Slidell. My OM works for an international medical imaging systems company so we know from first hand experience that the hospitals in Slidell utilized ham radio and now wish to get some of their own staff licensed. They, along with many other hospitals in southeast Louisiana have been sending requests to local radio clubs for information on obtaining licenses and help with setting up permanent stations within their own facilities. Our local club is gearing up to teach a Technician licensing class for three medical facilities in Hammond alone.
So, you see, our "nothing" is valuable to those who witnessed what "nothing" can do. In the end, that is what matters.
73, DeAnne K5XYL
wa8pyr
10-16-2005, 05:58 PM
Quote[/b] (k5xyl @ Oct. 16 2005,09:41)]In response to the negative comments given by Mr. Screeden of Motorola in the article in the Wall Street Journal (see post above for link) stating that "ham radios are pretty close to nothing".....
I'm going bananas trying to find it again, but in a news item a few days ago, someone from Motorola distanced the company from Screeden's rather intemperate remark about ham radio being "pretty close to nothing."
Tom WA8PYR
w7arc
10-16-2005, 06:47 PM
It's too bad that those in the Ham community who want to explore the latest technologies don't or won't recognize the fact that we hams have been handling emergency communications for over 90 years without the aid of computers, WIFI, or any of the other "fancy" and expensive modes that they are now trying to sell us as the best solution to emergency communications since sliced white bread.
It is the ham operator with the QRP radio, field expediant antenna and a knowledge of traffic handling that will always get the message through in times of disaster and emergencies.
We should all have learned from the experiences with 9/11/01, the SE Asian Tsunami and now Katrina, if you are going to rely on anything that relies on any part of the everyday infrastructure to handle your communication in times of disaster or emergencies, you will be left holding the bag.
The Hams who did the job and handled the messages for this disaster are to be commended for making an outstanding effort to handle the communications for this disaster. It's just too bad that not all hams are trained to do this work.
EVERY ham should know how to handle emergency communications and be prepared to do the job when it's required. To do this means more than just doing one or two exercises every year. It means ongoing training in all facets of emergency communications.
Hat's off to those of you who did the work.
**************************************************
William F. (Bill) Frazier
Ham/MARS: W7ARC/AAR0CZ
Lynnwood, WA 98037 N 47° 50' 56" W 122° 17' 2"
Grid Square: CN87uu
ARRL: OES - ORS - STM - VE
ARECC: Level 1,2,3 - Mentor/Examiner
NTS: BPL Medallion Holder
Member - State of Washington EOC ARES®/RACES Team, W7EMD
Snohomish County ARES®/RACES Team
PACKET Address: W7ARC@K7EK.#TAC.#WWA.WA.USA.NOAM
A-1 Operator Club Member
************************************************** *
kb5zcs
10-16-2005, 09:58 PM
thank god for ham operators,But if you want any medals from Bush you better have an Oil well in you back yard.
KD7WHQ
10-17-2005, 12:19 AM
W7ARC, having handled traffic from you a couple of times, you know I'm on board.
And he has it right. What was the first thing to go in either? Comms. The grid was gone, POTS was gone. Internet? Gone.
And, given the choice between using my batteries to run radio + digital, I'd just go with the radio, and pass the comms and messages.
Add that many served agencies REQUIRE NTS style messages, and it only adds to the reason to learn.
For myself, ICS is next. NTS I have down..
Quote[/b] (kb5zcs @ Oct. 16 2005,14:58)]thank god for ham operators,But if you want any medals from Bush you better have an Oil well in you back yard.
Then, there is always one LID who wants to politicize everything.
n5pzj
10-17-2005, 12:36 AM
If people knew the real stories comig out of KATRINA and RITA, Amateur Radio really shined at that unfortunate time.
Like K5XYL, I live in Louisiana I can vouch for the Veracity of what happened. I live in Galliano, Louisiana but had evacuated with my family since My wife and I are caretakers of two special needs persons. We ended up at Rayne, LA., 20 miles east of Lafayette on Saturday, August 27, 2005 with our RV parked at the Rayne Civic Center which had facilities but also was an evacuation center for people from the New Orleans area! the Center filled up quite quckly and the Cajundome in Lafaytte, LA had 7000 people there. Sunday Morning, ad-hoc response by the people of Rayne, LA had started and when they learned that I was a Ham, I was invited to set up a station in the Rayne Civic Center to provide extra communication as they felt it was needed. I spoke to Henry with the Acadiana Amateur Radio Club and they quickly volunteered their W5DDL Communications Van! I was so proud of the ad-hoc response and volunteered for the first watch since I "lived" so close! The traffic we handled was slim at first but then with the advent of a laptop, we started to work both ham and internet trying to hook people up with lost missing ones.
With the Hf net on 40 meters, the Plaquemines Parish Government had set up Operations at Rayne, LA in motor homes and they became keenly aware of how Amateur Radio Works thanks to the efforts of the Club members who helped pass traffic. Plaquemines Parish is at the end of Louisiana where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico and the Parish took a direct hit from Katrina with the lower half totally wiped off the map, not a cell tower left standing! The great ether was bridged by satellite phone and then Amateur Radio when HF WAS RE DISCOVERED for its miraculous properties of long haul communication!
Just monitoring the net for traffic was sad since so many lost so much and these were our neighbors, family and friends with Katrina! Relaying traffic became second nature and the response was overwelming!
Now, for what was observed by hams who wanted to help was even sadder! FEMA and Local Emergency Management was sold on their Cell Phones, Satellite Phones, Nextels and 800 MHZ high dollar toys and when they failed, Hams tried to volunteer but were rebuffed, not out of a sense of not wanteding untrained volunteers but no Emergency Manager wanted to "LOOK BAD" in front of Government Officials who wanted the system to work. Lafayette Parish had a great system of volunteers working with their EOC but some other Parishes had no organized Amateur Radio Response. In my home area, the Nextel and Cell Phone companies had put their service out as a perfect emergency service but it did not work out that way. The telephony system was bogged down and our switching system went through New Orleans and it was out of service.
In the past, Parish Officials wanted to depend more upon the Police and Fire to provide Emergency Communications since they viewed Amateur Radio more like a CB Hobby than a serious radio system like the Cell Phone, Satellite Phone , 800 MHZ Trunking, Nextel-Sprint or the commercial systems. The failure of the Commercial Communications System was a nightmare and the Amateur Community tried to fill the bill on an ad-hoc basis as needed. More communities will be looking at Amateur Radio as the need demonstrated and "sold" itself.
As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS.
k5xyl
10-17-2005, 12:29 PM
Quote[/b] ]As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS.
Yes, the Almighty Dollar. I do understand that. However, I feel that it is very unfortunate that for every positive comment in the media about ham radio there will always be a negative comment to offset it.
In my irritation over Mr. Screeden's comment, I failed to keep sight of the original intent of this post. So, that said, my hat's off to all the hams that provided countless hours of service in a truly trying time for those of us on the Gulf Coast. They deserve recognition and should be proud of a job well done.
73, DeAnne K5XYL
KC7JDS
10-17-2005, 01:45 PM
"As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS."
If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
As said above, kudos to those hams that were able to spend time volunteering along the Gulf coast. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
B Woodman, kc7jds
Quote[/b] (KC7JDS @ Oct. 17 2005,02:45)]"As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS."
If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
As said above, kudos to those hams that were able to spend time volunteering along the Gulf coast. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
B Woodman, kc7jds
Perhaps you do not understand the manufacture of radio equipment. Only the military and hams are allowed to use VFO type equipment. That is, radios that are not channalized and have the ability to tune anywhere. That is why the amateur service is so unique and versitile.
All other radios, cops, fire, ems etc. are channelized and for good reason. If Motorola did make a radio that was tunable, it would have to be for either military or ham radio use.
K2WH
Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Oct. 17 2005,07:52)]Quote[/b] (KC7JDS @ Oct. 17 2005,02:45)]"As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS."
If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
As said above, kudos to those hams that were able to spend time volunteering along the Gulf coast. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
B Woodman, kc7jds
Perhaps you do not understand the manufacture of radio equipment. Only the military and hams are allowed to use VFO type equipment. That is, radios that are not channalized and have the ability to tune anywhere. That is why the amateur service is so unique and versitile.
All other radios, cops, fire, ems etc. are channelized and for good reason. If Motorola did make a radio that was tunable, it would have to be for either military or ham radio use.
K2WH
K2WH:
It's amazing how you sometimes read what you want to read, and insult others for saying what you wanted them to say.
KC7JDS said "If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
He said ham radios.. not police or fire radios.
You've done this before, and it's getting tiresome... Try to read completely what people say instead of jumping to conclusions and putting your foot in your own mouth.
Jason
Quote[/b] (W6SN @ Oct. 17 2005,05:58)]Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Oct. 17 2005,07:52)]Quote[/b] (KC7JDS @ Oct. 17 2005,02:45)]"As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS."
If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
As said above, kudos to those hams that were able to spend time volunteering along the Gulf coast. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
B Woodman, kc7jds
Perhaps you do not understand the manufacture of radio equipment. #Only the military and hams are allowed to use VFO type equipment. #That is, radios that are not channalized and have the ability to tune anywhere. #That is why the amateur service is so unique and versitile.
All other radios, cops, fire, ems etc. are channelized and for good reason. #If Motorola did make a radio that was tunable, it would have to be for either military or ham radio use.
K2WH
K2WH:
It's amazing how you sometimes read what you want to read, and insult others for saying what you wanted them to say.
KC7JDS said "If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
He said ham radios.. not police or fire radios.
You've done this before, and it's getting tiresome... Try to read completely what people say instead of jumping to conclusions and putting your foot in your own mouth.
Jason
Jason, you need to lighten up a little. #Comments on this site are just comments. #Nothing matters on this site since it is not the real world.
Please don't attack me for saying something here that you do not like. #However, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. #I know how it is, new to the site, wanting to get in with a comment here and there, trying to fit in and be part of a group. #And, from time to time you are willing to go the extra mile and defend an issue with some witty remark and even willing to go as far as a word rumble. You will find out, no one cares what you say, what you think or how eloquent your wording may be.
I was there once and had fun. #But eventually, it wears thin and you go do something else. #You'll get to that point some day. #For now have you fun, turn off the radio and set up shop here. #Be the shark waiting to pounce and you will find quickly how useless your life is. #Be smart, ignore what happens here since it doesn't matter in the scheme of things. #Re-evaluate your life and what matters most.
BTW, personal attacks are not allowed on this site. #Be careful, it can backfire. #You do not have carte blanche here to say what you wish. #Be nice.
Anyway, I was addressing the other individual not you. #Thanks for you input however, I do appreciate your comments and concern.
K2WH
n5pzj
10-17-2005, 05:35 PM
Quote[/b] (k5xyl @ Oct. 17 2005,05:29)]Quote[/b] ]As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS.
Yes, the Almighty Dollar. #I do understand that. #However, I feel that it is very unfortunate that for every positive comment in the media about ham radio there will always be a negative comment to offset it.
In my irritation over Mr. Screeden's comment, I failed to keep sight of the original intent of this post. #So, that said, my hat's off to all the hams that provided countless hours of service in a truly trying time for those of us on the Gulf Coast. #They deserve recognition and should be proud of a job well done.
73, DeAnne K5XYL
The Purpose of my rant on Motorola was to explain the nature and copetiveness of the Communications Industry and how they viewed the Amateur Radio Community and Emergency Service.
Motorola makes a dam fine radio is true, but its limitations due to infastructure of towers, switching, etc. As I stated before, the Competiveness of the business makes company people belittle anything that might get in the way of a larger sale.
Does Motorola need to make a "HAM" Radio? I don't think the market would support it, so they stick with the commercial end.
Hoping to clarify my remarks and TAKE MY HAT OFF TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED AMATEUR RADIO AND STEPPED UP TO SERVE, WE SALUTE YOU!
MARTIN D. WADE
N5PZJ
EC & RACES-Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
STAY AWAY WILMA!
Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Oct. 17 2005,10:13)]Jason, I do believe you have nominated yourself as my personal nemisis. That's fine and I welcome the challenge. If you read it again my friend, he says if Motorola would build a series of ham radios that aren't channelized.
Firstly, the insinuation is ham radio equipment is channelized, which it is not! Ham radios are NOT channelized.
Secondly, you can look at it differently and he could be suggesting Motorola make radios that are not channelized since Motorola only makes channelized radios.
Thirdly, if Motorola makes such a good radio then why is it not channelized and if they made it channelized would hams buy it?
Fourthly, if channelized radio is what he wants then that is fine with me, but if he doesn't want channelized radios, then Motorola is not the brand he wants since they only market channelized radios.
Therefore he would have to go to a non-channelized radio such as ICOM. Channelization of radios on the ham bands is not what Motorola makes. They only make channelized radios.
Simple isn't it.
K2WH
Actually, no, and now it seems like you are trying to twist both his and my words to fit your own agenda.
In regards to your third comment, they do make good radios, being channelized has nothing to do with whether said radio is good, though.
"Fourthly", he doesn't want channelized radios, and he is saying they _should_ market non channelized radios.
Yes, it's quite simple. You were the one who immediately started saying that he didn't know what he was talking about, since fire, ems, etc radios can't be tunable. I was merely saying that you've done that before, where someone said one thing, and you read their words in a slightly skewed way and responded somewhat maliciously.
As for being your nemesis, you couldn't be further from the truth. I merely was pointing out that maybe you should clearly read what people say more often.
Jason
Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Oct. 17 2005,07:52)]Quote[/b] (KC7JDS @ Oct. 17 2005,02:45)]"As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS."
If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
As said above, kudos to those hams that were able to spend time volunteering along the Gulf coast. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
B Woodman, kc7jds
Perhaps you do not understand the manufacture of radio equipment. #Only the military and hams are allowed to use VFO type equipment. #That is, radios that are not channalized and have the ability to tune anywhere. #That is why the amateur service is so unique and versitile.
All other radios, cops, fire, ems etc. are channelized and for good reason. #....K2WH
That's right. And the reason is that those people are not communicators. We are. Simple as that.
Quote[/b] (n5pzj @ Oct. 17 2005,10:35)]Motorola makes a dam fine radio is true, but its limitations due to infastructure of towers, switching, etc. As I stated before, the Competiveness of the business makes company people belittle anything that might get in the way of a larger sale.
Does Motorola need to make a "HAM" Radio? #I don't think the market would support it, so they stick with the commercial end.
Hoping to clarify my remarks and TAKE MY HAT OFF TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED AMATEUR RADIO AND STEPPED UP TO SERVE, WE SALUTE YOU!
MARTIN D. WADE
N5PZJ
EC & RACES-Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
STAY AWAY WILMA!
As a matter of interest (communications), Motorola once made one of the best CB radios on the market. Not way out of line on price, either, right in there with the premium stuff of the era ($229). Mass marketing of the things brought import prices plummeting and they left the field.
kc2egl
10-18-2005, 09:00 PM
Quote[/b] (kb5zcs @ Oct. 16 2005,14:58)]thank god for ham operators,But if you want any medals from Bush you better have an Oil well in you back yard.
why do you have to make it political. #as radio operators we are not after any medals. #nor do we go out looking for someone to pile on heaps of praise. #if you want #to earn medals or get heaps of praise for operating a radio I suggest you go look for work at a commercial radio station.
From both Amateur Radio Newsline and the WY5I Report a few weeeks ago:
Motorola’s Director, Communications & Public Affairs, Jeff Madsen, quickly apologized for Screeden's comments which he said “...was taken out of context.”
He went on to say “Motorola fully recognizes the incredible work that the Amateur radio operator community has put forth during the Hurricane Katrina response efforts. We also understand the cooperation and partnership that Motorola has developed with the amateur radio operator community in introducing our Broadband Over Powerline solution. In fact, Motorola has at least 100 of its own employees who are amateur radio operators. Motorola values it's relationship with amateur radio and respects the critical and unique work they are doing to help with the Katrina recovery efforts. We appreciate the work the amateur radio operator community is putting forth.”
The BPL he mentions is the Motorola one that is currently being tested at ARRL HQ and appears so far to protect the Amateur Radio spectrum.
KD7WHQ
10-20-2005, 01:51 AM
But, it does show what amounts to an undercurrent in mentality.
Ah well.
As noted, when it becomes cost effective, Motorola will be making ham gear.
Until then, we might hope for some conversion support, software included..
WA9SVD
10-21-2005, 11:42 PM
Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Oct. 17 2005,07:52)]Quote[/b] (KC7JDS @ Oct. 17 2005,02:45)]"As for Motorola's Screenden comments, you have to remember that Motorola is trying to sell radios and service and if the "FREE" Amateur Radio System is re-discovered as a reliable back-up system, it could cut into the $$$$$PROFITS."
If Motorloa is so concerned over profits, why don't they design, manufactor and market a series of ham radios that aren't channalized and don't require propriatary software and hardware to program them. Otherwise, Motorola makes darn fine radios, rugged and reliable.
As said above, kudos to those hams that were able to spend time volunteering along the Gulf coast. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
B Woodman, kc7jds
Perhaps you do not understand the manufacture of radio equipment. Only the military and hams are allowed to use VFO type equipment. That is, radios that are not channalized and have the ability to tune anywhere. That is why the amateur service is so unique and versitile.
All other radios, cops, fire, ems etc. are channelized and for good reason. If Motorola did make a radio that was tunable, it would have to be for either military or ham radio use.
K2WH
And at a price few hams would be willing to pay. Unfortunately, it would be built to Mil Spec, and not have all the "bells and whistles" of the YaeComWoods. But it WOULD be bullet-proof.
Probably not enough market to make it feasable to design and try to sell Ham equipment.
kg5vk
10-22-2005, 12:24 PM
I was there (New Orleans) at Bell Chase Naval Air Station.
I want to thank everyone that assisted me, you know who you are.
Ham Radio made a difference and we helped save lives !!!
73
Steve
KG5VK
Quote[/b] (KD7WHQ @ Oct. 18 2005,21:51)]As noted, when it becomes cost effective, Motorola will be making ham gear.
Until then, we might hope for some conversion support, software included..
/\/\ already does make at least one model handheld, the GP-68, that has a display and is keyboard programmable. #In UHF and VHF models that do cover 2M and 70cM amateur allocations.
Here's where it gets interesting. #/\/\ knows that these radios aren't type-acceptable in the US, so makes them for export only.
A few have shown up on eBay, and elsewhere, and guess what? #/\/\ complained to eBay, making it sound CRIMINAL to posess or try to sell them in the US!!! To the extent that eBay has banned the sale of the radios!
Quite simply, as long as they are used for amateur use only, they are perfectly legal. #If /\/\ were sufficiently worried, a software revision would probably limit the programmability to the respective ham bands.
But, why didn't they or don't they sell them in the US to hams? #Or, perhaps FEMA or the Coast Guard. #Your guess is as good as mine.
Frankly, from what I heard, the Coast Guard or those hams working New Orleans could have used a couple of those to intercommunicate with. #They would have made a very useful bridge between CG helicopters and hams and visa versa.
Maybe something to ask a Motorola VIP, if someone knows one.
73,
Lee
W6EM
Bradenton, FL
n6mje
10-23-2005, 12:03 AM
Consider this, folks: Screeden works for a company that makes its money from selling high-end comm equipment to PDs, FDs and similar public service agencies. All that high-priced gear didn't work and ham gear did. He was just selfishly protecting his livelihood and his company. Admittedly, a poor defense, but that's all he knew to say to the WSJ reporter.
Quote[/b] (n6mje @ Oct. 21 2005,20:03)]Consider this, folks: Screeden works for a company that makes its money from selling high-end comm equipment to PDs, FDs and similar public service agencies. All that high-priced gear didn't work and ham gear did. He was just selfishly protecting his livelihood and his company. Admittedly, a poor defense, but that's all he knew to say to the WSJ reporter.
The New Orleans system was EDACS, a product of M/A Comm, not /\/\. #From what I've heard, a failed emergency generator atop the high rise building where one of the trunked bases was located caused the failure. #I'm sure they had others, but the whole system died.
Supposedly, as soon as M/A Comm's people were allowed to fix the generator (gee, M/A comm even repairs generators!!), all was well. #Classic single-point dependecy failure. #A conventional repeater system would have fared much better. #Maybe some dead spots, but not total failure.
Lee
W6EM
Quote[/b] (w6em @ Oct. 23 2005,08:22)]Classic single-point dependecy failure. #A conventional repeater system would have fared much better. #Maybe some dead spots, but not total failure.
Lee
W6EM
Even at that, most repeaters have far, far fewer dead spots than cellphones.
N2MMM
12-16-2005, 05:10 PM
Quote[/b] (KD8CGF @ Oct. 16 2005,00:42)]Also see this article (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05249/566476.stm), originally published in the Wall Street Journal. # It ends with some ambivalence.
The wall street urinal has a FAR better reputation than it deserves. the bias in their "reportage" is almost as bad as Fox News.
N2MMM
12-16-2005, 05:16 PM
Quote[/b] (KD7WHQ @ Oct. 19 2005,18:51)]But, it does show what amounts to an undercurrent in mentality.
Ah well.
As noted, when it becomes cost effective, Motorola will be making ham gear.
Until then, we might hope for some conversion support, software included..
Making a low cost amateur only version of RSS (Radio Service Software) available for older Motorola products such as the Saber I/II/III Series would be a fine gesture that Motorola could make.