[Ares-races] VHF Marine Band question

[Martin T. Focazio]

Re: the VHF marine "Emergency" and all that...

You know, it's this nitpicky sort of arguing over this rule and that 
interpretation that has driven me off the air almost entirely.

Case in point:  Around here, there's no cell service in most places. 
Factor that in to the scenario. You come upon a cop in his car one 
night, he's been shot. Do you pick up his radio and call for help? 
Of course you do. Will you ever be prosecuted for that illegal 
action? Absolutely not. In fact, you'll be commended.

Case in point: You have a portable VHF marine radio. You are 3 miles 
from shore, in your car. You hear a boat on the water calling for 
help. Ignore them, right? Because, after all, if you answer them, 
you're breaking the law. So let 'em burn, right? WRONG. You help the 
person in need.

More about marine rescues: 
http://www.sanjuanislander.com/federal/coast_guard/rescues.shtml

I'd like you to consider, for a moment, the political ramifications 
of prosecuting someone who "illegally: used radio equipment in an 
emergency to help save a life.

"Thanks for saving lives, now go to jail and pay $8,000 for the 
illegal radio use. "

That's not how it works in real life.


http://www.gazette.net/200334/silverspring/news/173637-1.html
"...was able to provide information to a back-up officer after a 
passing taxi driver used his police radio to call for help, and a 
search began, according to court documents."

"In another case, the pilot of a Cessna U206E on floats passed out in 
1996 on a flight out of Renton, Wash. The passenger contacted the air 
traffic controller, who happened to be a flight instructor. The 
controller talked the passenger through the landing.
(more articles like this at http://www.avweb.com/news/safety/181598-1.html)










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