Advertise your going to transmit illegaly on 146.415 MHz!

[N0SYA]

And don't forget to use a silencer for mimes.

winner!11111111111111111

[WW7F]

winner!11111111111111111

Yeah, I got a laugh when I read it;P Good one, 73 sincerely,Michelle

[K0RGR]

I don't think this will fly at all in Minnesota - that frequency is designated for ARES use, statewide, and blessed by the state radio boards.
Simplex HV-BRAVO ARES 146.4150 W 146.4150 W 203.5 A Local Option (from http://www.minnesotaares.org/files/S...s%20xls(2).pdf ).

We do use a PL tone on that frequency, so if all are using tone squelch as they should, we won't even hear the paragliders. Let's see some lawyer turn that into something - illegal, unlicensed operation in violation of federal law, combined with operation on a state-designated emergency frequency. I am not a lawyer, and I don't play one on TV, but I don't think any court could uphold their 'right' to use that frequency.

[NC5P]

About 1/4 mile east of my house is a big balloon fiesta every October. The Balloon Park is just inside city limits up on the hill. In years past, there were some of them illegally operating on 2 meters to talk to their chase crews. One year at least the FCC came down from Denver for some enforcement action, but that was a long time ago. I have heard some balloonists on 2m but they had legitimate calls. Hopefully I will not come home that weekend because it's impossible to get into and out of my house. The pilot's gate comes out on the only road in and out of our neighborhood.

[KB9UWU]

Takes a set of big ones to advertise your going to transmit illegaly in the amateur bands.

http://www.paraglidenationals.com/rules/rules.php


Section 8 mandates all pilots must have radios equipped to receive and transmit on this frequency. What are the chances of them all having a license?

We had a couple of guys in the area that used this frequency when the were in the air to keep in touch with each other and the ground crew. They were asked if they were licensed to be in that band and they said no, but that is what they all used. They didn't seem too concerned until they were informed of what the fines could be. We did invite them to sit in on a course and they wound up passing, but that was just two. We hear them on occasion, but they use frs radios with the ground crews now. They know we're monitoring now!

I've emailed the contact person and Industry Canada with regards to the rules, but have not yet received any replies.

It's you're not your.

[ND6M]

I don't think this will fly at all in Minnesota - that frequency is designated for ARES use, statewide, and blessed by the state radio boards.
Simplex HV-BRAVO ARES 146.4150 W 146.4150 W 203.5 A Local Option (from http://www.minnesotaares.org/files/S...s%20xls(2).pdf ).

We do use a PL tone on that frequency, so if all are using tone squelch as they should, we won't even hear the paragliders. Let's see some lawyer turn that into something - illegal, unlicensed operation in violation of federal law, combined with operation on a state-designated emergency frequency. I am not a lawyer, and I don't play one on TV, but I don't think any court could uphold their 'right' to use that frequency.

err,.... ya might wanna review note 2 on page 4 of your linked document,............ no one OWNS an amateur frequency!

[W3WN]

I don't think this will fly at all in Minnesota - that frequency is designated for ARES use, statewide, and blessed by the state radio boards.
Simplex HV-BRAVO ARES 146.4150 W 146.4150 W 203.5 A Local Option (from http://www.minnesotaares.org/files/S...s%20xls(2).pdf ).

We do use a PL tone on that frequency, so if all are using tone squelch as they should, we won't even hear the paragliders. Let's see some lawyer turn that into something - illegal, unlicensed operation in violation of federal law, combined with operation on a state-designated emergency frequency. I am not a lawyer, and I don't play one on TV, but I don't think any court could uphold their 'right' to use that frequency.

Of course, you know that no one "owns" a frequency. No matter who designates it or however noble & lofty the purpose is.

That said, I suspect that you're absolutely right that if the illegally operating paragliders complain about interference, they will have no legal leg to stand on, so to speak. I'm sure they'll appeal to the public on other grounds... they didn't know better, they didn't have another choice, and so forth. But they'll still be wrong.

[NA0AA]

I have no problem with licensed amateurs using two meters in their balloons, gliders, paragliders, airplane, blimp or helicopter....or whatever.

But I feel the same way about unlicensed operation on amateur frequences as I feel about inland hunters adopting marine radios because 'we don't live neer water'.

makes my blood boil. Esp. when the ticket is so simple to get.

[KO6WB]

A lot of these operations are business in nature. Balloons offer rides for a fee, that I know, the paragliders, not so much, but helicopters and airplanes may fit into that business category and as such should not be using the amateur bands for such purposes even if they have a license. Business operations should be confined to the part 90 segments with the proper license for that use. They can and are allowed to use other allocations for such operations.
73
Gary

[VE1IDX]

Frankly, I don't see much of a valid safety of life argument. What possible distress call could there be? If they are about to crash, having a radio aboard won't do much good.

If I were a local ham, I would try to come up with some legitimate use of whatever frequency they are using. If they want to use ham radio and are willing to get their licenses, that's great. But it seems to me that we should discourage unlicensed use, just because the radios happen to be a little bit cheaper than other alternatives.

I did a Google search for "146.515 MHz", and it appears that one outfit in the area is using it commercially for a talk-in frequency, so he must have the radio on in the shop. If that became the local ragchew frequency, it might encourage him to seek some other kind of radio.

If they truly have some safety of life issue that they need radios before, then we ought to let them see, prior to the emergency, the inherent unreliability of using radios for which they have no license.

Safety of life does necessarily mean imminent danger is near. My idea was that perhaps they are using the freq. to coordinate take offs and landings or to keep in contact to avoid incidents that may be unsafe. Having such transmissions wiped out by LEGAL amateur transmissions may lead to that safety issue I was thinking about.