[BARC-List] changing plates

[Tom Kinahan]

Scott, and all,

  I'm sure that with enough push a way can be found to change the plates,
 over time , however, I'm not sure I agree with Scott's premise.

  I'm afraid that taking your license exam and passing it, doesn't do
 anything to get you "authorized" as an "emergency communications operator".
 While one of the stated purposes of amateur radio is emergency
 communications, you are no more qualified than the next guy walking down
the
 street until you have involved yourself in the training of the organization
 you are supporting.

  We are only authorized by a served agency as an emergency communications
 personel, not by the FCC.

  So, if you're noting that I have another motive in posting this message,
 it's true, get involved with potential served agencies and become part of
 their operation. Learn how they work, and they will designate you as
 "emergency communications personell" if they deem it. Take training from
the
 Salvation Army, Red Cross, Community EMA groups, ARRL ARES,  others. Become
 an active and regular participant in the organization.

  I know there are many of us hams that have absolutely no interest in
 emergency communications (in response to an unplanned emergency) or public
 service (in response to a planned event).

  Many hams think that because they have a license, they have a God (ok FCC)
 given right to support some agencies because they are a trained
 communications asset, while in many cases nothing can be farther from the
 truth. Take the time to think about what you want to do in your
 emergency/public service communications career, and invest in the training
 that will get you where you want to be. Align yourself with served agencies
 in advance of "the big one" to best support the goals of the agency, and
 your personal goals.

  -Tom Kinahan

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 Scott WY1Z said:


 Hams, per the FCC (aka by law), are licensed emergency communications
 operators.   Yet I know of no license plate offered in any state which
 says anything more than something like "Ham Radio" or "Radio Opr" or
 similar.

 Some states, such as New York and New Hampshire, don't even have any
 special designation.   Connecticut and Mass have lightning bolts.

 I propose we try to change at least the Mass plate.  We are authorized by
 the FCC as public service emergency communication personnel, and as such,
 should have license plates which properly reflect this.  Something like
 "Ham Radio" and "Emerg Comm" and with a special plate color, such as those
 by Police, Fire, or "Official" Mass vehicles which are used as DPW, etc.


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I had problems sending this earlier, so hopefully this is not a dupe. -TK