From: Richard (metal@fullwave.com)
Date: Sat May 31 2003 - 23:35:43 PDT
hmmm....
I was nodding my head at the general concept
of the MV commnet, but the assumption that we
ought to avoid ham-radio as a solution kind of
startled me. Of COURSE we should be using
ham radio.
Given the high average level of intelligence, drive,
and self-sufficiency here, every MV member really
oughta have a ham license. In fact, now that I
think about it, it's kinda surprising that more MV'ers
don't have their 'ticket' already. It's such a 'natural'
for MV's.
The "Technician" class ticket is EASY, for
ANYONE, with 2 brain cells and a microwatt
worth of personal energy. You DON"T need to
learn morse-code. It's almost exactly like a driving
license test. It's mostly just questions about rules
and regs. Even if you don't know any electronics,
the simple 35 question test can be easily passed.
Ya only need 70% right I think.
And there are some great web-pages that let
you take authentic tests over and over until
your passing percentage is high enough that
you feel ready to hit the local ham-club and
take the test. It's that easy. My wife took the
webpage 'test' 10 times in 60 minutes over 2
days, and was passing it at 88%.
When you're hitting 85% on the web tests, ya
drive over there, lay down 6 bucks, and 10
minutes later, you're a ham....FOR LIFE. Take
it once, and you're done. A whole new capability
in your personal 'toolbox', and a whole new
community of "do-ers" that you're connected to.
A lot like the MV community in many ways. For
six bucks and a couple hours easy work.
Every MV'er oughta think of a ham ticket as
'standard equipment'; just like their socket-set
and jerrycan.
I bring this up for serious consideration because
there are some BIG advantages to using ham radio
for the MV commnet instead of FRS.
1) Using 2-meter ham gear as standard practice
gives a VASTLY more robust comm-link than FRS.
Vastly more. Without getting into details, let's just
say that 2-meter ham vs. FRS is very much the same
as comparing a minivan with a DEUCE ! Truly. It's
that kind of comparison.
2) 2-meter usage gives us access to the HUGE
network of repeaters (many with phone-patches)
all across the continent. (across the world really).
In most parts of the country, you're talking about true
50 mile range between moving vehicles.
3) FRS is junk. Also, in some areas it's already crowded.
4) In any disaster or emergency, local hams are
always key components of communications;
especially when the cell phones go down....<g>
Since MV's are natural emergency-solvers, they
fit hand and glove with ham radio.
5) In every state I know of, it's legal for a ham to have
scanners in their vehicles. Even in states that ban scanners
in general, there's an exemption for hams.
There are probably a few more advantages, including
other legal advantages, and features that 2-meter gear
has built-in, like digital links between laptops etc; but
I've already used a lot of space, and probably made my
point sufficiently.
Think about it guys. It's the pro way to do it; and it's
super easy and cheap.
Richard
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