"Dee D. Flint" wrote in message

In emergencies hams are NOT broadcasting to the public. They are using
their skills to pass messages from the public and emergency services to the
public and emergency services via the ham network. No one has to be able to
understand the message while it is in transit except the hams. Thus hams
can and will use any means at their disposal appropriate to the situation,
that includes voice, computer digital modes and good old Morse code.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Bravo!!! It's nice to find some common sense out here in the
wilderness. You summed it all up in a nutshell that maybe even ole
Jeff can grasp and understand. Then again, maybe not... Most "live"
emergencies that a ham would handle on the air, are from other hams in
trouble. The sailboat I mentioned was a ham in a sailboat. Not a
commercial vessel. I would think it quite rare to hear a commercial
vessel call a ham for help. But we can handle traffic to and from
anyone that might need it. But we can do it any ole way we please. If
the general public can't decipher it, thats just too bad. MK