Extensive network of radio gear including repeater network by Mexican Drug Cartels

[WA6MHZ]

I constantly hear Spanish on the bands, HF to 2M. But since the ONLY spanish I know is on the Taco Bell menu, I have no idea what they are saying, whether it is Drug Cartel comms or just 2 XE Hams ragchewing about what they got for Christmas.

[KD4RNC]

Did any of you notice, during the news footage of Osama Bin Laden walking around brandishing a machine gun along with an HT communicating with his cronies. No matter who you are and if you got the money, you can have the best of everything including communications. Even the bad guys know how to get the best equipment. Whether provided by their own government or otherwise. I'm sure the terrorist attack on 911 didnt come cheap.-Tim KD4RNC

[N1TKO]

Chances of Ham Radio operators doing anything that will disrupt, interfere or slow down these guys in Mexico is zero. The entire Amateur Radio community can't put a muzzle on one Canadian station that has been tormenting 20 meters for years...... AND, we know who the guy is and where he lives.

[K4YZ]

The demand is not something that anyone can 'dry up'. All we could do would to be to counter the cartel's supply with US supplied drugs and be able to do it for less money than the cartels, which could still thrive on a fraction of their present income.

Let me guess...Berkley, UCLA or Kent State...?!?!?

Sighing and baning head on desk......

Steve, K4YZ

[W4HLN]

Who's donating the "WORKED ALL CARTELS AWARDS " Next year? CQ? ARRL ? LOL!

[K8MHZ]

Let me guess...Berkley, UCLA or Kent State...?!?!?

Sighing and baning head on desk......

Steve, K4YZ

You lost me there, Steve.....

I don't understand what you are asking me.

[K8MHZ]

Chances of Ham Radio operators doing anything that will disrupt, interfere or slow down these guys in Mexico is zero. The entire Amateur Radio community can't put a muzzle on one Canadian station that has been tormenting 20 meters for years...... AND, we know who the guy is and where he lives.

You have an excellent point there.

I hope this doesn't kill this thread....

[AC0FP]

I constantly hear Spanish on the bands, HF to 2M. But since the ONLY spanish I know is on the Taco Bell menu, I have no idea what they are saying, whether it is Drug Cartel comms or just 2 XE Hams ragchewing about what they got for Christmas.

A good point. I heard two hams speaking German the other day on 20 meters. I knew they weren't native Germans because I could follow the conversation, they were discussing antennas by the way.

fp

[N5MAV]

I wonder if the AGM-88 HARM can be tuned to frequencies other than radar. Eh, then they'd start putting repeaters on churches.

[KF7ITG]

Perhaps it's time to treat Ham Radio equipment like we guns to keep it out of the hands of drug smugglers and terrorists. Serial Number ever piece of equipment. Do a background check on every purchase. Register it to the owner. Make it a Federal Offense to sell Ham Radio equipment to anyone without a Federal background check. If the bad guys have good commucations equipment it can be deadly to Law Enforcement. It may be time to rethink the ease of purchasing Ham Equipment mail order. War on Drugs and our personal security must come first.