[Boatanchors] Medial Mail

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi John,    
    
A good and valid idea.    
    
We had several incidents here in Genesee County where Amateur Radio operators having two way Coms equipment in their vehicle were arrested for violating some antiquated regulation dating back into the late thirties. The current legislators had modified the regulations that governed having such equipment in a vehicle. Both Hams who were arrested and had their equipment confiscated had their Ham License with them, as well as a copy of the state regulations that gave them legal permission to have such equipment in their vehicle.    
    
It turned out, at least here in Michigan, that NO agency in the state is responsible for making sure all police, and/or other related agencies, gets copies of new laws and/or copies of modifications to current or previous regulations!    
    
Personally I think this is ridiculous! What good are police regulations, or "laws", when the people responsible fore enforcing them do not even know such laws even exist!    
    
These Hams were helping with mutual aid for fire situations, NWS weather spotting and more. They were providing critical and life saving assistance to all citizens of Genesee County. Yet they were improperly treated by police officials who were not aware of the laws that governed such activities!     
    
It seems to me that someone, or some agency, in every state should be responsible for informing ALL law enforcement agencies of any and all changes to such laws and the enforcement of them.     
    
I am absolutely convinced that all Hams must make what we do known to local fire departments, police agencies, rescue teams, NWS officials, mutual aid groups etc. The media REALLY needs to print some stories, and show them on TV too, about the good Ham Radio operators do. We do some things beside chase DX and collect colorful postcards!    
 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: W4AWM at aol.com 
  To: dfischer at usol.com ; w7qho at aol.com ; n4lg at qx.net 
  Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net ; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2011 2:36 PM
  Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Medial Mail


  I simply don't have time to research it, but somewhere there has to be a printed set of Postal Regulations. When found, we can each get a copy and take it with us to the post office when we ship something questionable.

  I move got the top hand on a NY State Police Officer because I carried a copy of the Federal Regulation regarding the use of modulated headlights on motorcycles. This superceded any state regulations. Had I not had that piece of paper, I would have been cited and had to take my argument before a judge. This was easier and most satisfying.

  73,

  John,  W4AWM

  In a message dated 7/16/2011 2:26:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, dfischer at usol.com writes:

    The people at the post office do not even know the differences between most 
    of these ambiguous packaging regulations, classifications of contents etc.




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