Hi Carroll, Just wanted to drop a note to let you know that your explanations about ham radio wre very good. We operate a lot of DX so do not think we have met but look forward to meeting you. Seems we have two interests in common. 73, Roger, W7VV Carroll H Clark wrote: > Today, Tues. Sept.22, 1998 Amateur Radio Operators all over the State > will provide emergency radio communications in a simulated disaster > operation situation. > Whatever the disaster may be such as a major earthquake in which a vast > amount of communications would be wiped out or impaired to the point of > being ineffective, or inadequate, licensed "ham" radio operators have > honed themselves to provide very effective radio communications and > coordination with local, county, state, and national facilities for major > disaster reaction. > Though many people view hams or radio amateurs as hobbyists, they are > recognized truly as the Amateur Radio Communications Service, and as a > federally licensed > SERVICE by the Federal Communications Commission, they are licensed to > provide > a very important to all communities throughout the 50 states.They are > capable of providing communications using emergency power that will allow > them to stay on the air at various frequencies in order to cover the > necessary distances needed during > a major disaster. > > When the communications of other sources are tied up, put out of service > because of damaged facilities, and rendered useless because they cannot > provide communication over the proper distances the hams are able and > experienced at providing rapid and effective communications to > supplement, or completely take over > as needed, and without delay. > > Many people are used to using cellular phones, but these could be > rendered useless > in a major situation. The pods that carry cellular communications can be > damaged or useless. > > Many amateur radio operators have various modes of operation such as > sattelite communications that can provide communications when other modes > fail. > > Today, these hams will put their expertise to the T E S T to simulate a > major disaster situation with all out forms of equipment and ability to > provide the service they were licensed to - in this case a "major > earthquake" situation. Afterward, they will critically evaluate their > effectiveness to protect and provide the emergency services that would > be most effective when the real disaster should happen. > > Amateur radio operators, cannot by law accept remuneration for their > service according to FCC regulations and by International agreement that > govern such communications service. > > Carroll of Snohomish. > Amateur Radio W7IML > The W = United States, all hams have a "prefix" that tells what country > they are from. > The 7 = the 7th district of the United States, various areas are divided > into districts. > The IML is issued by Federal Communications Commission like automobile > licenses AAA AAB AAC etc. Mine stems from 1940 when I was issued the > call letter > W7IML . Since then, because of the vast numbers of hams in the U.S. the > call letters vary greatly for various classes of licenses that designate > the privileges that the person has earned. Mine happens to be the > Advanced license which allows me > the privileges I need. The greatest number of privileges of operation is > called the Extra Class License. There are beginner, and even "no code" > licenses where an > examination without the knowledge of telegraphy, or code is unnecessary. > > Anyone interested in obtaining an amateur radio license of any kind, may > contact me > and I will be happy to provide the necessary information. There is no > age limit for obtaining the "ticket" or license that can provide a > lifetime of interest in communications that costs very little to get > started. There are Elmers out there (teachers) who will help those > interested get started and help those interested to learn the "ropes". > > 73 means Best Regards > 88 means Love and Kisses > and 30 means the end of a message as borrowed from the telegraphic days > when news was sent over telephone poles, and by railroad dispatchers that > ended up in the newpapers across the nation, and the world. > > >>>>>73 & 30 <<<<< > > _____________________________________________________________________ > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com > Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]