FCC Adopts RM10-124

[K4YZ]

no, that is NOT correct. you do NOT have to belong to ARES to get an EMERGENCY plate in tn.

however, the fee structure can be different if you do belong http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVVbrrj...mergsaftey.htm

Amateur Radio - This plate is available to owners or lessees of passenger motor vehicles who are residents of the state of Tennessee and who hold an un-revoked and un-expired official amateur radio license issues by the FCC.

The annual fee for automobiles is $46.50. If the applicant is a member of emergency or rescue squad or ARES, the annual fee is $21.50. The annual fee for motorcycles is $39.50. If the applicant is a member of emergency or rescue squad or ARES, the annual fee is $14.50.

Your information is inaccurate on several counts.

Yes, you are supposed to be an active member of ARES in order to get an Amateur Call on an Emergency tag in Tennessee. County Clerks are SUPPOSED to verify your status when you submit the application (along with verifying your Amateur license...I've seen old CB call signs and MARS calls on Emergency tags which indicates the clerks aren't reading their own criteria)

Furthermore, the costs you cite vary by county based upon local wheel taxes or other fees. I pay less than $25.00/year for each car here in Franklin County. It was the same in Sequatchie County, but almost double that in Hamilton County (Chattanooga).

73

Steve, K4YZ

[KC5FM]

Amendment of Part 97 of the Commission's Rules Regarding Amateur Radio Service Communications During Government Disaster Drills.
Report and Order: Word | Acrobat

Don't forget there's a comment period for 60 meters as well.

This would be a good time to address the automatic antenna tuner issue, IMO.

Also, I can see where five channels is not enough.

ARRL comments ask for increase in power and additional modes.

73

[K4YZ]

Excuse my for being so honest, but this particular topic bores me to tears.

Then may I respectfully suggest that you exercise your right to not read it and move on...?!?!

73

Steve, K4YZ

[K4YZ]

Ed, it's very difficult to make a comparison between a nurse and someone working for, say, a plumbing company. There is, at least on the part of the nurse, some justification for a clarification on FCC rules. What justification can a plumbing company provide to warrant a change in FCC rules? You are the one painting this sort of picture, so, explain to me how businesses would present their case to the FCC.

James, Ed's comments were a thinly veiled ad hominem attack. Unable to validate his opinions in fact or the letter of the law, he chose to try and 'shoot the messenger'.

It backfired.

Vaya con Dios

Steve, K4YZ

[ND6M]

Your information is inaccurate on several counts.

Yes, you are supposed to be an active member of ARES in order to get an Amateur Call on an Emergency tag in Tennessee. County Clerks are SUPPOSED to verify your status when you submit the application (along with verifying your Amateur license...I've seen old CB call signs and MARS calls on Emergency tags which indicates the clerks aren't reading their own criteria)

Furthermore, the costs you cite vary by county based upon local wheel taxes or other fees. I pay less than $25.00/year for each car here in Franklin County. It was the same in Sequatchie County, but almost double that in Hamilton County (Chattanooga).

73

Steve, K4YZ

no YOUR info is incorrect.

the ONLY verification the local county clerks do is to verify you amateur license.

the state application form doesn't even mention ARES, RACES, MARS as a requirement. READ it.

did you even follow the link to the TN STATE DEPT of REVENUE site that CLEARLY states :

Amateur Radio - This plate is available to owners or lessees of passenger motor vehicles who are residents of the state of Tennessee and who hold an un-revoked and un-expired official amateur radio license issues by the FCC.
The application for Amateur Radio license plates must be supported with a copy of the FCC Amateur Radio license submitted to the Taxpayer & Vehicle Services Division."

notice that the above QUOTE and the APPLICATION form both do NOT require the amateur to belong to ANY group such as ARES, RACES, MARS (ect).

in TN the EMERGENCY amateur plate is NOT a "vanity" plate as defined by law. it is a "non-passenger" plate. the same as : Antique Auto, Dealer, Government Service, Rescue Squad, fire-fighter, semi-trailer, state Government, State Trooper, ect.




show me in writing where i am required by the state to belong to one of these groups. if you can, then i will return my TN EMERGENCY plate

[NN3W]

http://www.tn.gov/revenue/vehicle/li...mergsaftey.htm

ARES members get a reduced annual fee rate, but all amateurs apparently can get the plate.

[K4YZ]

no YOUR info is incorrect.

the ONLY verification the local county clerks do is to verify you amateur license.

the state application form doesn't even mention ARES, RACES, MARS as a requirement. READ it.

did you even follow the link to the TN STATE DEPT of REVENUE site that CLEARLY states :

Amateur Radio - This plate is available to owners or lessees of passenger motor vehicles who are residents of the state of Tennessee and who hold an un-revoked and un-expired official amateur radio license issues by the FCC.
The application for Amateur Radio license plates must be supported with a copy of the FCC Amateur Radio license submitted to the Taxpayer & Vehicle Services Division."

notice that the above QUOTE and the APPLICATION form both do NOT require the amateur to belong to ANY group such as ARES, RACES, MARS (ect).

in TN the EMERGENCY amateur plate is NOT a "vanity" plate as defined by law. it is a "non-passenger" plate. the same as : Antique Auto, Dealer, Government Service, Rescue Squad, fire-fighter, semi-trailer, state Government, State Trooper, ect.

show me in writing where i am required by the state to belong to one of these groups. if you can, then i will return my TN EMERGENCY plate

Too bad you don't actually live in Tennessee. You're depending on what you're reading on line and it's not what's current.

Secondly, and assuming your FCC Amateur license reflects your current domicile, you were required to surrender your Emergency tag upon moving out-of-state. According to the FCC, you live in Florida.

So...what the truth?

Steve, K4YZ

[ND6M]

...Too bad you don't actually live in Tennessee. You're depending on what you're reading on line and it's not what's current...

FYI,

i DO live in SAVANNAH,TN,
i DO have a TN DL,
i DO have a TN EMERGENCY plate,
any FCC mail sent to fl will be forwarded to TN.

some of us own more than one home

[WU8Y]

For many years we knew what amateur radio was. Decades and decades.

Yep, all the way back in 1935.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gld/?n=1935flood-aftermath

Airplanes and Amateur Radio aided in the rescue and relief efforts for days after the flood with roads, bridges, railroads, and communication lines damaged.

You may rail against it, but as others have pointed out without other hams' willingness to step up and serve, we wouldn't have the frequencies for you to play radio. You should thank ARES/RACES hams.

[W6EM]

.......What I suggest is that the State of Tennessee (and any other State that may put Amateur calls on a marked "Emergency" tag, if any do) have a dedicated "Amateur" tag like most of the other states and restrict access to the "Emergency" tag to those who are legitimately involved in organized emergency communications programs.

Special plates, including amateur plates, serve a purpose to inform law enforcement officers of the nature of the activity of the occupant. CA, for instance, has special plates for doctors, press photographers, and amateur radio operators. Being waved through a road block or not being pulled over for excessive speed (if an area or regional disaster is in progress) are two important reasons the plates exist.

The use of "emergency" means an immediate threat to life, safety and or the destruction of property exists. Authorized emergency vehicles are normally meant to be something unique. Including that operators of those vehicles are trained to drive at high speed, using approved lights and sirens, and be given the right of way by all other drivers when responding.

In Tennessee, apparently the word "emergency" means something else. If it does, then it makes TN the most "whacker-friendly" state in the union. If, truly, TN considers an amateur operator who belongs to ARRL's ARES, to RACES, or MARS worthy of legally donning the likes of sirens and light bars.

I'll be especially careful the next time I drive through Nashville and be on the lookout for any whacker-mobiles. The idea that any TN ham can have "authorized emergency vehicle" status is just plain nutso.

.............The insertion of sleight's like "whackerism" only serve to add a bit of childishness and immaturity to otherwise germane comments. Leave them in the sandbox where they belong.

I do beg to disagree, there Steve, but Ed's use of the term seems to fit what you describe very well. In view of how your state interprets what is an authorized emergency vehicle. In TN, perhaps even your Jack Daniels folks can have those tags to help them get hooch shipped expediently.