On Feb 2, 8:09?pm, wrote:
On Feb 2, 10:16?pm, Cecil Moore wrote:

wrote:
What does amateur radio not offer now that it once did?

One example: First on the scene with emergency
mobile communications.

In the 1950's, I was the fifth person to arrive
upon the scene of a severe auto accident and the
first one with mobile communications with which
to call for help.

Nowadays, the first four people would have cell
phones. Even if I were the first on the scene,
I would use my cell phone, not my mobile ham rig.

I've been in that situation too, Cecil, and a lot more recently than
the 1950s.

Oh? Was that when you served the country in your
"other ways?"

Or was that when you shot bears for naval intellgence?
No, that couldn't be you...was another who also served
his country in "other ways."

Or maybe you were the military hero "in a country at
war?" No, that was your buddie wearing the little red
hat of a morse monkey, a former REMF who implies
all those things without being specific.

You couldn't have been a "resident of Hawaii" scarfing
up "club" calls for non-existant "radio clubs." No, that's
another poster entirely, the captain of the "Hornblower"
and the "Effluvia" motorboat (on that "three-hour tour").

And yes, if it were to happen today, my first reaction would be 911 on
the cell phone. Only if that didn't work would I consider ham radio.

But consider this:

How many hams got their license so they could be the first on the
scene with mobile emergency communications, compared with those who
got their license because they thought "radio for its own sake" is
fun?

So, how many DID get their hobby radio license "just for
being an 'emergency communicator?'"

Aren't you the one with their pulse on the numbers and
KNOWING what everyone's "intent and purpose" is?

Of course you are! C'mon out with the "real reasons."

Gotta love all those code-tested knowitalls. :-)

beep beep,
LA