I know this does not directly involve AM, however it is something that could set a precedent and change our hobby forever if we don't take a stand and tell the ARRL not to allow a petition for rule change. As some of you may know, the ARRL board of directors have met and decided to request the staff petition the FCC to make a change to Part 97.113(a)(3) to permit amateurs, on behalf of an employer, to participate in emergency preparedness and disaster drills that include Amateur operations. To quote a very good ham friend of mine, "...I feel like we have been sold out, sucker punched! I can't believe a majority of ARRL members support this issue."
The article is here: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/01/19/11294/?nc=1 I think ANYONE should be able to operate during a REAL emergency, and that is already in place. Anyone citizen can use any public service radio to call for help. I have no problem with that. We should not take the "volunteer" out of ham radio. I have setup a poll on my website where anyone (so long as you register so not to allow multiple votes) can cast a yes or no on this issue. The Delta Division and some other divisions have been made aware of the poll for their viewing pleasure. After you register, you will get an email sent to the email address you used in your registration. Follow the directions in the email to confirm it's really you that registered. After that, go to http://w5ami.net, scroll down and look on the left side where you can log in. Once you have logged in, you will be able to vote in the Poll on the right side of the main page about "Paid Hams". If it will not let you cast a vote, you either didn't get registered correctly, or you have not logged in. Please consider doing this regardless of your opinion. I am trying to get the word spread to all the divisions of the ARRL, so the board can see what the regular hams really want. Feel free to also spread the word. To register, go to this link and fill in the blanks: http://w5ami.net/index.php?option=com_user&task=register After you get the confirm email, go back to http://w5ami.net and log in at the lower left, then vote in the poll at the upper right of the page. Thanks very much and 73. Brian / wa5am, AMRadio Admin -- Brian Sherrod, PA My website: "Arkansas Airwaves" - http://arkansasairwaves.net Email : ars.w5...@gmail.com "The better I get to know some people, the more I find myself loving dogs." ______________________________________________________________ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
