[ScanIndiana] HAM communications question

[Duane Mantick]

I would add that the more LICENSED hams you have
acting with local authorities in a *coordinated*
fashion, the better, caveat being hams who know what
they are doing.  There are generally spotter's classes
held periodically for severe weather issues - I HIGHLY
recommend attending!  Not only do you learn a lot
about WHAT is important to spot, you also can make
good personal connections with EMA folks and others. 
Those personal connections can be VITAL when the real
deal happens........

Duane
WB9OMC
--- Justin Knox <swatdog905 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 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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> 
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> > ScanIndiana at mailman.qth.net
> >
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> >
> > IndyScan.com    1996-2004
> > 
> 
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