pork-n-beans
@xx.charter-
 from:
WareWolF2k 
| reply to markopoleo
Re: Lets get this over with..
Ham radio is a "2 part" service. It's importance as an emergency communication medium for the nation shouldn't be confused with the fact that it is also a hobby.
Ham radio operators have made vast improvements to the way we communicate today by developing/refining technologies such as SSB and digital modes like psk31. Lots of Hams devote quite a bit of their *own* time to the cause, studying rf propagation and ways to make it better, more effecient, more fun, etc. Hams have even proposed solutions for bpl that would make it feasible (like moving the spectrum it operates in to 5ghz), but stuff like this seems to go in one deaf capitalist ear and out the other.
Amateur radio is much more than a "hobby" for some of us. As an EE student, ham radio has helped me procure interests that would have otherwise been left unfounded. Not to mention the fact that it is very challenging (and fun) to build your own radio station and have a conversation with someone on the other side of the world, without having to pay for airtime or isp fees.
And it's not a matter of "if", but "when" there is a serious natural disaster, and your precious cell phone WONT work (hell mine only works half the time now...can't even get service in my bedroom, less than 2 miles from the tower.) Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? No, you wont call anybody because the 600,000 hams who listen to you whine about how you don't need their help anymore will still be there to help anyway, because that's what we do...
Not to mention the service we provide to the National Weather Service when there is severe weather. Google up Skywarn, ARES, RACES, MARS, and get an idea of what it's all about before you go cutting it down.
My radios have *never* given me a "busy signal", or told me to try my call again later because "all circuits are full". I don't need a dialtone or an IP address to communicate, be it for my pleasure or the safety of myself or others. Too much reliance on big technology will leave us severly crippled in the event of a serious disaster. Then whatcha gonna do? |
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markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO | Then you need better phone service. |
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pork-n-beans
@xx.charter- | Your missing the point. During such a disaster/emergency, there is typically *NO* phone service, regardless. Doesn't matter who my carrier is when one of the local exchanges or main exchange or whatever gets wiped out. |
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rf_engineer
join:2003-08-04
USA
edit:
April 9th, @09:21AM
| This is the same guy (markopoleo) that claimed DC power grids were "better" for BPL. 'nuff said  |
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Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY
| said by rf_engineer :This is the same guy (markopoleo) that claimed DC power grids were "better" for BPL. 'nuff said You don't suppose he is Thomas Edison reincarnated:)
--
Low voltage Tech's are wimps, Real tech's use 45 pound filament transformers, plate voltages no less then 2400 volts with at least 10 amp's lighting 8877 triodes...BPL I'm coming to get you. |
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KB2PSM
join:2002-08-06
Long Beach, NY
| reply to pork-n-beans
said by pork-n-beans:
Your missing the point.
markopoleo is very good at missing the point...or at least any point that does not jive with what he wishes to be true.
My my wife said to congratulate him on his ignorance. She told me to ask him AT WHAT TIME was he at ground zero on 9.11 or the days following it. The rest of it was not meant for a forum of such civility. Obviously, being there, losing folks there, returning there as part of a response team (yes, my wife is also trained in emergency communications) and continuing to work in the area can make someone a bit defensive.
Rob |
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KB2PSM
join:2002-08-06
Long Beach, NY
| reply to markopoleo
said by markopoleo :Then you need better phone service. Sadly, that was the case at ground zero. Too bad such a sarcastic and quippy response would have been lost on the sullen moods of others on 9/11 and the long period that followed. |
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