[KYHAM] Re: Right To Know?

[Ron Dodson]

The idea of flyers is a good idea as it WILL get the attention of prospective hams.  If they want/intend to be hams in the first place.

However,
It does nothing for the many who mistakenly buy amateur radio gear under the impression that it is FRS, CB, business band stuff etc. as has been relayed to me in
the myriad correspondence this topic has brought before me both on and off the lists..

In one case a man's wife bought him one of the little dual band 2m/70 cm HT's that runs about 500 mw thinking it was FRS.  The man did in fact read the manual
first BEFORE turning it on, found it was not what they had thought it was and then had grief in returning it to the store as it had been opened.  In another case,
a guy bought what he thought was a CB only to find it was not, but not until he had gotten on the air and been called to task for using a "handle" and not a
callsign.  Again, was the store willing to give him his money back or exchange the "used radio" for a new CB?  In yet another case two well meaning people bought
what they thought was VHF business band equipment and started using it as such until again notified by hams that they were operating illegally.  One ham actually
had to go to the store and convince the manager that the radio equipment was not legal for the use the buyers had intended and only the threat of calling the FCC
got the poor, hapless consumers a refund!  These people were not interested in ham radio.  They wanted an unlicensed communications medium and instead found
frustration for themselves and others.

The list of input I have received these last two days on this goes on and on and this is all just here in Ky!!!  Can you imagine how often this happens on a
national scale?

If writing the company management is not a good idea or having ARRL address it with corporate management is not a good idea, what is???  The perception that these
uninformed victims of the free market system get of amateur radio when they find themselves on amateur bands labeled as "bootleggers" can not be very favorable in
most cases as they did not realize they were making a mistake until cornered.  In most cases, a person who ends up in this type of situation is placed on the
defensive by human nature and it leaves a bad taste.

This is a tough subject to address, yet the need to address it is important for hams as well as the general public.

73,
Ron

"G. S. Glass" wrote:

> No, I have to disagree that writing headquarters is not the
> best idea.   Radio Shack is in the business to sell products.
> If they were to post a defensive sign such as that, then management
> would interpert that as lost sales, which in the real world they
> are not going to do.   You have to think from the corporate perspective
> looking out....if they can sell the customers radios, be it to
> monitor the band or to talk on, then Radio Shack is happy because
> they have made a sale.  Honestly, do they care what they are
> used for as long as the revenue is in the black?
>
> The best prospective, which was mentioned the other day, for the local
> clubs to visit the stores in their community and offer a stack of
> information sheets on the local club activities, LICENSE TRAINING CLASSES
> and contacts for taking the FCC test.
>
> Radio Shack would certain be in favor of this, because it appears
> as a positive way "extend" their service and community relations,
> and they still continue to make sales.   You have to remember the
> old addage, you draw more flys with sugar than you do vinegar.
> Would you rather someone to simply sell you a fishing rod, or
> and give you information on the local fishing club to contact
> and get involved when he sells you the pole......under the second scenerio, everyone wins.....the club gets more membership, the individual is put in
> contacts with others to find out how participate and use it new item,
> and the store has still made that same sale.
>
> Just my thoughts on the matter.
>
> Gary Glass, KD4VKJ
> Sadieville, KY
>
> Ron Dodson <ka4map@bbtel.com> wrote:
>
> >> Martin Hensley wrote:
> >>
> >> The point is this: a lot of  letters/emails to Radio Shack
> >> headquarters from Hams who have Radio Shack accounts will probably do
> >> more good than talking to the local store.
> >>
> >
> >Indeed, I agree that this is likely the best course.
> >
> >I suggest that anyone willing to do so respectfully suggest to corporate
> >management that they either ask from corporate level that salespeople
> >inform customers of need for licensing on any radio they sell which
> >requires one OR developing VISIBLE signs which state, "AN FCC LICENSE IS
> >REQUIRED TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT!  Unlicemsed use can result in fines or
> >imprisonment. ", to place on the display shelves where amateur and any
> >other "license required" gear is displayed.
> >
> >The people I spoke with did not even realize themselves that a license
> >was needed until I told them it was.  They then went on the defensive.
> >Such a sign can also educate sales staff!
> >
> >Again, just a thought,
> >
> >73 all and thanks for the feedback from all of you both on and off the
> >list.
> >
> >Ron
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Support Amateur Radio in Kentucky!
> >http://www.qsl.net/kd4pwl/index.html
> >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/kyham
> >
> --
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/
>
> Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/