[QCWA] FW: [Mobileer] Gordon West on Licensing

[Doug]

I work as a service tech for a marine electronics dealer.  The number of 
non-hams with an ICOM IC-706 on a boat is disgusting. Also there are the 
non-hams getting a ham ticket just so they can use email on the  WinLink 
frequencies instead of paying for the commercial SailMail. I suspect APRS is 
another mode they use for tracking a boat trip by non-ham relatives using 
FindU on the web link.
I think it is about time for the dealers to decide they want proof of an 
amateur license before they sell a ham rig.  I used to work for a ham store 
as a service tech and the number of 2 meter and 440 MHz handhelds we sold in 
case lots or more to obviously foreign nationals with no knowledge of radio 
except a list in their hand of what to buy was astounding. Most of these 
were middle eastern or south/central American. It does not take much thought 
to realize ham handhelds are being used overseas as cheap throw aways for 
such things as drug smuggling and terrorism. Frankly, I am surprised 
Homeland Security has not required proof of license and detailed sales 
records of all USA radio sales.
73
Doug K7ABX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walcott, Paul" <PWalcott at smartbus.org>
To: "Discussion of QCWA" <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 8:16 AM
Subject: RE: [QCWA] FW: [Mobileer] Gordon West on Licensing


I too have had the experience of discouraging someone from getting a ham
license when they needed another form of communications.  In my case it
was someone who wanted to use auto-patch on a local repeater, obviously
enough years ago that the cell-phone wasn't yet commonplace.

Still, after reading the posting from the Gordon West organization, I
basically agree, but I do want to make one distinction:  Ham radio
should NEVER be looked at as the main form of communications for non-ham
functions.  At the same time, I have no problem with someone puts a ham
rig on their boat or whatever for use as a back-up mode of
communications.  For that sort of person, my real hope is that while
they'll hear just enough of the other facets of ham operation to become
interested and perhaps become involved in areas which they previously
were not interested.  That would be one example of healthy growth for
ham radio.

73's
Paul
WD8H

-----Original Message-----
From: qcwa-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:qcwa-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Norm Gertz
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 8:19 AM
To: qcwa at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [QCWA] FW: [Mobileer] Gordon West on Licensing

Yes indeed.....there are a large number of pleasure boaters and other
skippers who have obtained amateur radio licenses but never participate
in
amateur radio activities.  They all know how to get on 14300 or 7268
when
they have an emergency or when they need to have someone make a phone
call
for them.

73   Norm   K1AA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "wb0dul" <wb0dul at wb0dul.com>
To: "Butternut Antenna Reflector" <Butternut-antennas at yahoogroups.com>;
<Countyhunters at countyhunter.com>; <FT817-Commander at yahoogroups.com>;
"Pikes
Peak DX Group" <ppdxg at ppdxg.com>; "PPRAA Reflector"
<ppraanet at mailman.qth.net>; <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>; "RTTY Reflector"
<rtty-request at contesting.com>; "Writelog Reflector"
<writelog at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 9:15 PM
Subject: [QCWA] FW: [Mobileer] Gordon West on Licensing


>I picked up the following on the Mobileer Reflector (a Ham Camping
> Group).  I thought you folks would find it interesting.  Gordon West
> brings out some very good points.
>
> I know it is "Off Topic" on some reflectors, but I felt it needed to
be
> sent out.  Hopefully some will forward it on to others. I normally
don't
> post messages to reflectors that are OT, but this one may pique some
> interest. I won't re-post it and won't answer any queries on
reflectors.
>
>
> Dick
> WB0DUL
>
________________________________________________________________________
> ____
>
> Gordon West, WB6NOA, is a popular Ham Radio instructor and study guide
> author.  He is also a fellow Sam's Radio Hams member and has the
> following essay posted on the SRH web page:
>
> "IF YOU NEED THE HAM TICKET, WE MAY TALK YOU OUT OF IT!"
> http://www.srhams.org/Gordon%20West%20letter.htm
>
> I'm not finger pointing at any particular public service activities,
but
> there is a lot of food for thought there from a Ham on the exam front
> lines.  Pass it on to anyone that needs it.
>
> P.S. The FCC has asked for formal comments on doing away with all code
> tests.
>
> Les, W6TEE
>