Re: [amsat-bb] New National DX record and Band

[tlang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Tony Langdon)]

Hello Bob.

12 Jul 00 23:00, you wrote to All:

 BB> MY POINT!  Are we really going for a DX record?   NO... just wanted to
 BB> get yoru attention...
 BB>
 BB> We are trying to make the point to the ARRL, that the FRS band should
 BB> NOT be ignored in its OUTREACH mission to youth and the public as an
 BB> entry point for a "wireless" public.  Consider these points:

Excellent idea! :-)  CB down here is a bit like it.  Identification on CB is
required, but it is up to each individual how to identify, and a ham callsign
is as valid there as a name. :)

 BB> 1)  We have (or had) EXTRA, Advanced, General, Technican, and Novice
 BB> SUBbands with different privlidges.  Each dependent on LICENSE class.
 BB> WHy not consider the FRS band to be the ARRL subband for entry-level
 BB> "license free" operation?
 BB>
 BB> 2)  I think 95% of every HAM probably made his FIRST transmission on
 BB> either a CB (50 years ago) or GMRS, or Part 15, or FRS.  My first was
 BB> the Knight Kit $9 supperregen one transistor HT back in 1959.  That
 BB> was stepping stone #1, and propelled me into HAM radio.

This is a big point, and one reason I support any effort to reach out to users
on public access services such as CB.

 BB> 3)  The ARRL and HAM radio should not ignore FRS, but should welcome
 BB> it with open arms, and use it as an entry level means of
 BB> enticing radio-interested public to "move-up" to HAM radio...

To ignore these services is to close our eyes to the opportunity to introduce
prospective hams to our hobby.

 BB> 4)  The ARRL and every one of us should LOBBY THE FCC to REQUIRE
 BB> manufacturesrs of FRS radio to INCLUDE in every RADIO package a set of
 BB> "RADIO ETIQUETTE RULES"! !!!

And do the same for CB, here, someone buying a new CB, be it 27 MHz or UHF,
will not know about the class licence, or operating procedure. These things
should be in the box of every radio sold.

 BB> This LAST One is my big beef!  Not ONE FRS radio of the many I have
 BB> purchased mentiond ANYTHING whatsoever about
 BB> Radio-telephone-procedure. There is no mention of these simple rules:
 BB>
 BB>    1) Listen first.  Do not interferre with communications in progress
 BB>    2) Use minimum power necessary for the communication
 BB>    3) Identify your transmissions of both the sender and receiver
 BB>       (to avoid confusion on a crowded-shared band)
 BB>    3.a) THere are a lot of "Daddy's and Mom's" out there.  Use a
 BB> unique
 BB>       "call sign".
 BB>    4) Be COURTEOUS to others
 BB>    5) Let higher priority traffic use the channel first.
 BB>    6) No music, Profanity, Tones, or digital communications
 BB>    7) Dont be a jerk, etc...
 BB>
 BB> AS IT IS, WITH NO RULES WHATSOEVER, the FCC is "training" the entire
 BB> general public (millions of FRS users) that a radio is just something
 BB> to play with and jabber and step on anyone, and its a free-for-all
 BB> JUNGLE! Then WE AMATEURS are the only ones left to have to clean up
 BB> the mess by RETRAINING THEM if they become interested in HAM radio.

We have the same problem with our ACA.  In the "bad old days", when one bought
a CB, one also had to get a licence, and this fact was mentioned in the
documentation.  Several years ago, set licencing was abandoned in favour of a
"class licence", which means that no licence is needed.  The class licence does
have its rules, but these are now hidden from the public, creating a similar
situation to your FRS.

 BB> As HAMs it is in OUR best interest to get the FCC to FORCE the
 BB> manufactureers to include in every FRS box a simple one page "RULES OF
 BB> RADIO ETIQUETTE".  Even if the ARRL has to PRINT them, I am willing
 BB> for some of my dues to go towards this "outreach and training" program
 BB> for the unwashed masses...  It will pay off to us in the long run...

Well, I have to agree.

 BB>
 BB> P.S.  Tomorrow night we are going for 10.8 miles...  <grin>

Hmm, maybe I should start going for UHF CB records here. :-)  I actually have
some good ones, just not documented. :-(

 BB> SOrry for the off topic post, but anything we can do for the benefit
 BB> of HAM radio is worth a post.  But please, lets not let this clutter
 BB> the BB and SIG, just send any comments to your ARRL rep..

Well said Bob.  You've raised some important issues.

Tony
--
|Fidonet:  Tony Langdon 3:633/284.18
|Internet: tlang@freeway.apana.org.au
|
| Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own.


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