[Kenwood] Question of Credibility

[John Shafer]

I was told a few years back that Ham Radio Outlet (possibly the Oakland 
CA store) was sued for refusing to sell transceivers to a non-licensed 
person.  If I remember correctly, the store lost the case and had to 
stop asking to see licenses before the sale.  Does anyone else recall 
something like this?

A shortwave listening friend of mine bought a TS-450 because it was "not 
much more expensive than the receive only version", and he "didn't want 
to limit himself" should his interests change.  He did get interested in 
more than listening, and later he became my elmer.

After getting one refusal from a seller to sell an HF rig to a no-code 
tech (me at the time), I bought my TS-690 from someone else.  And then 
listened to the W1AW code practice sessions to work on my upgrade.

Owning a rig without a ticket isn't the issue. What a person does with 
it is their responsibility, and it is their penalty if used outside of 
the law.  He could send you a copy of his ticket, then still operate out 
of band.  The enforcement letter goes to... the one most deserving I hope!

Does the above imply that I disagree with listening to your inner voice? 
  Not at all.  I have and will continue refusing to help CBers add 
linears or modify for out of band.  Would I sell to a non-ham?  That 
depends on the circumstance and the indicators that affect the comfort 
zone.

That's what this issue is, neither a right or wrong issue but as you 
said, a conscious issue.  I respect you Dave for still having one and 
caring.  The outcome of the sale won't change that.

John W6PTT



Paul McInnish/Home wrote:

> Dave... I would not sell to him... morally you potentially could be aiding
> and abetting a violation of the Fed.
> 
> Not to mention the fact that you will be able to look yourself in the face
> and say, he may get it from someone else that does not care, but he sure has
> heck did not get it from me & my conscience is clean & clear!
> 
> You obviously care or you would not have sent this e-mail message out... a
> tip of the hat to you!
> 
> Paul - K4BET
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dave Leisman" <wb8baf@voyager.net>
> To: <kenwood@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 9:56 PM
> Subject: [Kenwood] Question of Credibility
> 
> 
> 
> I have a question for the group that I never have anticipated
> befpore.  I recently advertised a TS-830s for sale through the QTH.com
> classifieds.  Almost immediately the rig was sold to a gentleman in
> Florida.  Cashiers check arrives a couple of days later and as I ready
> evrything I check, using qrz.com, the guy's call and find out the name
> listed with the call and his name are very much different.  I also
> notice that he has invited me to join him a "QOS" on a CB frequency
> once the equipment arrives and he has everything set up.
> 
> Part of me has a great problem with selling a piece of equipment like
> the 830 to a glorified cb operator, especially since ham tickets are
> easier to get now that code has been dropped.  I don't like it and I'm
> inclined to send the guy's check back and tell him "No deal, I sell to
> hams only". This is the moral part of the argument.
> 
> But, another part of me says that if he doesn't buy my rig, he'll buy
> one from someone else and transmit anyway.  So, essentially whether
> it's a rig from me or someone else, it makes no difference, he's stil
> going to violate the law, so why not sell the rig and be done with
> it.  This part doesn't settle good with my conscience.
> 
> Anyone had similar experience?  If so I'd be interested in comments.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Dave, W8QW
> 
> 
>