mike wrote:

You guys are completely missing
the point: the original poster was looking for a radio substitute for
a cellphone so that he could talk to his family. That's it.

And there ain't nothin' wrong with that.

??? That's it - I give up. If amateur radio, or at least its VHF portion
has become a simple replacement for CB, then I know I made a right
decision years ago to stick to HF only.

To recommend taking a ham radio test for this is ludicrous and
ridiculous.

He was presented with several alternatives.
How about you let HIM decide what's ridiculous!

WTF? We hams and the FCC will stand back and let him decide whether it
is ridiculous to misuse our frequencies for his personal needs? This is
not even trolling anymore - it's just ****ing stupid.

=== === ===
FCC rules: §97.113 Prohibited transmissions.

(a) No amateur station shall transmit:

(5) Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be
furnished alternatively through other radio services.

=== === ===

I haven't had a radio conversation that couldn't have been handled by
a cellphone...at least not since the cellphone was invented.
I'd better go tear up my ham licence right now!!! Just for you...

This is a waste of time, but what the hell: a cellphone is not a "radio
service". What §97.113 is about is preventing ham radio from being
misused for radio-communication that is available elsewhere, like CB,
commercial radio, broadcasting, etc. For his needs, CB is OK, ham radio
is not. And that's according to the FCC rules.

The fact that I could just as well phone a VK or ZL station and give him
a 59 over the cellphone does not mean that I am misusing my ham radio
license, like you would have us believe. Otoh, your phone patch use for
calling in a pizza and contacting dealers is clearly in breach of the
FCC rules. If you don't like the rules, bitch about them to the FCC, not me.

All else you wrote is irrelevant because he's not looking to become a
ham to begin with. I can't believe I'm having this discussion. Would
we be talking about all this if someone came in asking for a radio
communication advice for his business? Would it be reasonable to offer
him to take a ham radio test? If not, then why is this reasonable in
the original example?

I agree that it's mostly irrelevant to him. I'm bitchin' at YOU for
telling him (and me) what we should and shouldn't do.

Again, since apparently you are mistaking me for the FCC: I didn't make
the rules, the FCC did. If I'm "telling" you anything, it is only to
stick to the rules, because acting otherwise makes us look like CB. If
that appeals to you for whatever twisted reason, it certainly doesn't to
me. I, for one, would like to keep our bands and service, which means
sticking to the regulations, especially considering the constant
pressure from the commercial users on our bands. However, if FCC should
ever decide to reassign any of our VHF spectrum, people like you will
make me realize that I have nothing to cry about - on the contrary.

And 'cause I like a good troll.

There are funny trolls. There are interesting trolls. There are
controversial trolls. They're sometimes fun to read. You are neither.

73 .... WA7AA




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