[ScanIndiana] HAM communications question

[Justin Knox]

Thanks to everyone who responded, kinda interesting about all the different 
opinions.  The main reason I asked is because I have now have a radio 
capable of transmitting on the public safety pool as well as local HAM 
freqs.  I will see about getting a license.  Like I said before, we do have 
two HAM operators on staff who usually relay info., but I guess a third 
wouldn't hurt.

Thanks,
Justin





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Burns W9RXR" <k4rxr_ at rlburns.net>
To: "Indiana Scanning" <scanindiana at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: [ScanIndiana] HAM communications question


> At 09:21 PM 1/4/2008, Justin Knox wrote:
>
> Justin, I agree with the other posters' opinions that such communications 
> would not be legal under FCC rules. The rules with regard to emergency 
> communications are sometimes given strained interpretations, but I think 
> the consensus is that communications without the appropriate license on a 
> radio band where a license is required is only permitted in the event of 
> immediate threat to life or property _and_ if no other means of 
> communications is possible.
>
> I am RACES Radio Officer and Skywarn Coordinator for Hendricks County. In 
> our county, RACES and Skywarn work very closely with county emergency 
> management. Our EMA Director is a strong proponent of amateur radio as a 
> back-up to the county communications system. We provide him with a pool of 
> trained volunteers skilled in both emergency communications and storm 
> spotting. I'm sure your EMA budget is as tight as ours, so without our 
> volunteers, some tasks just wouldn't get done.
>
> When severe weather threatens Hendricks County, I can count on my cell 
> phone ringing with a call from the EMA Director. He immediately looks to 
> us amateur radio operators as a source of information about the impending 
> weather. We routinely provide the EMA Director with information about 
> storm tracks in the county and damage information after the storm has 
> passed.
>
> The county has provided me with a handheld radio programmed for the 
> Project SAFE-T radio system. I occasionally use that radio to communicate 
> with the EMA Director and the Sheriff's Department. I also have a VHF 
> radio programmed for the old VHF police and fire frequencies in the 
> county. But most of my communications is via amateur radio so that I can 
> funnel information between the hams and EMA. We have ham radio equipment 
> installed at the county EMA office and we are working on plans to put ham 
> radio equipment in the county's mobile command center and the new county 
> dispatch center.
>
> I strongly urge your department to develop a relationship with the hams in 
> your county. I think you will find them to be a willing and capable 
> resource that can provide a great benefit to your county.
>
> Alternatively, you could get an amateur radio license yourself. To get the 
> entry-level license, Technician, you would need to pass a 35-question test 
> about procedures, rules, and basic radio theory. The question pool, with 
> answers, is available from many sources and there are study guides 
> available in book form or on-line.
>
> Bob Burns
> Hendricks County RACES
>
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