Subj : Looking into HAMing...
To   : W8ZZU
From : Deuce
Date : Sun Sep 04 2005 01:18 am

  Re: Looking into HAMing...
  By: W8ZZU to Deuce on Sun Sep 04 2005 01:51:00

 >  > 3) Augmenting our local fire department communications (joining ARES, dea
 >  > with a few issues we have with out pagins system and local radios etc) mo
 >  > which will probobly not be done from home, but I can probobly get the tow
 >  > spring for at least some of the costs... and quite possibly, the departme
 >  > will spring for my advanced course and any study materials I require.  I 
 >  > realize that aside from the ARES stuff, the rest of it is probobly not co
 >  > by even an advanced licence (I know the paging system is around 156MHz fo
 >  > example) no sure of the local radios.
 > 
 > Even as an ARES member, your ham license only covers the frequencies in whic
 > you are authourized to transmit.  Do you work for the fire Dept?  Sometimes 
 > are not even allowed to use the frequencies you are licensed for.  For examp
 > 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 Whit
 > Lake Twp. Police, unless I was a police officer, even though I am an ARES/RA
 > member and a member of the Oakland County Emergency Management office.  Only
 > 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 ha
 > 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 sayin
 > 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 ar
 > however some HF nets for emergencies such as the hurricane watch net
 > http://www.hwn.org   they operate on 14.325 USB

Yeah, I'm on the local fire department.


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