Subj : Looking into HAMing...
To   : Deuce
From : W8ZZU
Date : Sun Sep 04 2005 01:51 am

  Re: Looking into HAMing...
  By: Deuce to All on Thu Aug 18 2005 04:51 am

 > 1) 9600bps packet radio
 > 2) 600-2000km range voice (My family is in that range)
 > 3) Augmenting our local fire department communications (joining ARES, dealin
 > with a few issues we have with out pagins system and local radios etc) most 
 > which will probobly not be done from home, but I can probobly get the town t
 > spring for at least some of the costs... and quite possibly, the department
 > will spring for my advanced course and any study materials I require.  I do
 > realize that aside from the ARES stuff, the rest of it is probobly not cover
 > by even an advanced licence (I know the paging system is around 156MHz for
 > example) no sure of the local radios.

Even as an ARES member, your ham license only covers the frequencies in which
you are authourized to transmit.  Do you work for the fire Dept?  Sometimes you
are not even allowed to use the frequencies you are licensed for.  For example,
as an amateur radio operator here in Michigan, USA.  I am licensed to use
420-448 MHZ.  I _cannot_ however transmit on 423.65 MHZ because that is White
Lake Twp. Police, unless I was a police officer, even though I am an ARES/RACES
member and a member of the Oakland County Emergency Management office.  Only in
the event of a true emergency, ie - cell phone not available and immiediate
threat to life or property can I transmit on that frequency.  Some people have
the mis-conception that ARES means that they can talk to the Fire Dept. or
Police Dept. and help them catch criminals or put out fires.  I am not saying
that _you_ think that, I am just clarifying because from the tone of your
message, it sounded like you were a little sketchy about what ARES was.  In
essence, all ARES/RACES really is, is just using Amatuer radio Simplex
frequencies and repeaters on mostly VHF and mostly FM to pass messages when
there are emergencies such as power failures or natural disasters.  There are
however some HF nets for emergencies such as the hurricane watch net
http://www.hwn.org   they operate on 14.325 USB

Jason - Whiskey Eight Zulu Zulu Uniform




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