[CW] cw future

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

This is what we are really here for.  We are supposed to be an elete trained
group of people who are given permission to use radio equipment - but we
aren't really here to play - the purpose is for of the amateur radio service
is to train radio operators (both in technical inovation and ability, and
operational proficiency) and provide emergency communications.

If "radio operators" are no longer needed because "anyone" can operate
radio, and if "emergency communications" can be provided by anyone with a
cell phone, then there is no reason for amateur radio, and perhaps the
"powers that be" will give the emergency communications == AND THE
FREQUENCIES WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING == to the military, the local civil
defense, fire police, and those who HAVE been professionally trained.

A sobering thought, isn't it?

73

David Ring
N1EA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Beaudry" <k8la@arrl.net>
To: "CW" <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 2:39 AM
Subject: Re: [CW] cw future


> >   How will your communication systems work after a Richter 9 quake
> > 100 miles from your city?  What you say about CW not having enough
> > operators to replace your fancy systems is completely true, but
> > when you can't get a message through to the governor of your state
> > with everything you have, ANY two gud CW operators will be able to.
>
> I was in El Salvador just after the October, 1986 earthquake that
> devastated the country.  Most phone lines were down.  The few that
> survived weren't useful for communications out of the country because
> all international lines are via a satellite ground station which the
> 'quake took out.  The US Embassy was severely damaged and as a result,
> unable to offer communications assistance.  All the ham phone operators
> that spoke English were off the air when their towers came tumbling
> down.  As I understood the situation, the only communications out of
> the country for the first week or two were CW ops with hastily erected
> dipoles.  Then the international relief organizations got their
> communications setups going.
>
> --
> Thomas M. Beaudry
> k8la / ys1ztm
> K2 # 3422
>
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