[CAham] Is It Time To Ask These Questions?

[Brent Corbin]

Ouch.  I'm not opposed to remote bases, and I don't think we
should turn this into a referendum on whether or not they should
exist.  This is a hobby, it is a hobby in which talented, knowledgable
people are encouraged to experiment and push the technological envelope.
They're also encouraged to do it responsibly, with consideration for
others who are also engaged in the hobby.  The vast majority do.
Those who don't should be dealt with by education (re-education?), 
not by imposing restrictions that may hamper our ability to pursue
new aspects of the hobby in the future.

But, to the questions.  Imagine the "Big One (tm)" finally hits
on the San Andreas, resulting in widespread damage throughout the
southland.  High-level, frequency-agile remotes (with appropriate
emergency power backup) may allow you to stitch together ad-hoc, 
adaptive, wide-area nets to handle health-and-welfare traffic,
logistics,...  that could be invaluable, if done right.

Spectrum occupancy is a non-issue.  A remote base occupies no more
_spectrum_ than does any other user operating in the same mode.  

A remote base *does*, typically, by design, cover a large geographic
region - as a result, there is a much greater chance it will cause
interference if used in an inconsiderate manner.  Certainly everyone
who is or aspires to be a control op on a R/B ought to be briefed 
(and tested?) on operational etiquette.   [Then, maybe, we could 
put an end to these inane 'it's no different than if I'd built my
house on a mountain-top' 'justifications']





On Fri, Mar 22, 2002 at 11:33:20AM -0700, occupant@rushmore.com wrote:
> 
> Regarding the "remote bases" out there...
> 
> What greater good do they offer amateur radio?
> 
> What specific services to they provide to the
> communities which they illuminate?
> 
> Is their occupancy of limited spectrum space
> in the best interest of all concerned?
> 
> I'd be interested in your thoughts.
> 
> John
> ..
> 
> 
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