Posted on 02/27/2004 8:06:33 AM PST by rightcoast
I have been an amateur radio operator since 1999. For those unfamiliar with amateur radio -- 'ham radio' as it is more casually termed -- it is an FCC-licensed section of radio spectrum (i.e. radio frequencies) that is set aside for civilian use. Amateur radio operators (or 'hams') use two-way radios to talk on these frequencies for purposes ranging from idle chat, all the way up to and including assisting authorities in emergency and crisis management.
I mention amateur radio on this forum, because although it may not seem so on the surface, there are many similarities between amateur radio and FreeRepublic (FR).
Amateur radio has been around for nearly a century, and it's largest organizing force has been around since 1914. That organization -- the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) -- administers licensing exams for the FCC, and maintains and organizes several civilian emergency communications services.
In many ways, FR is like the ARRL. Use of amateur radio is free, and you do not have to be an ARRL dues-paying member to enjoy the benefits of an FCC-issued amateur radio license. However, it is to an amateur radio enthusiast's advantage to support the ARRL financially, as it keeps the service alive and vibrant.
In the same way, periodically donating to FR (or becoming a monthly donor) contributes to the success of the forum and keeps it going.
There are other similarities. FR members must be registered, and no anonymous posts are allowed. Similarly, amateur radio operators must have a license and use their call sign (much like a CB 'handle' but more formal) at all times. Abuse of rules in amateur radio is largely self-policed, as it is here in FR.
Another surprising similarity between amateur radio and the FreeRepublic is membership. I don't have any exact numbers in front of me, but my most recent understanding is that FR has about 100,000 registered members. This is not far off from the approximately 175,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S.
Finally, amateur radio is used by many for casual conversation of current events, or just friendly chat. It's most active use, though, can be seen in the establishment of local ARRL chapters and volunteer services. Local chapters (amateur radio clubs) connect local hams, in much the same way as FR has its own local chapters. ARRL volunteer efforts include civilian communications services to the military, local and state governments, and civilian organizations.
Of course, FR has its own wide range of volunteer efforts, largely labeled here as 'activism.' FReepers stage local rallies and protests, and help others get involved in our common interest: a free and strong republic.
I'm not promoting amateur radio or the ARRL here. I simply wanted to state my observation for a simple purpose. The ARRL has been a thriving organization for 90 years, and it wouldn't hurt to emulate it's successful model. Obviously there are differences, but with some luck and continued participation, maybe this little slice of the web could be on its way to lasting as long, with a similar positive impact.
DE K4ZDZ, also Ham since 1958... (no need for a vanity call sign since the "K4ZDZ" has both a phonetic and code lyrical rhythm!
Now THAT'S an interesting designation for a licensing class....
sure thing. My HF rig is QRP only!
It is my thesis that FCC broadcast licenses are unconstitutional "titles of nobility", in that the FCC stipulates that the license operates in the public interest--which means that the FCC essentially certifies the licensees to be truth-tellers.
And that is just the sort of thing that the First Amendment says is outside the purview of government.
As to the comparison of FreeRepublic with ham radio, I think that the Internet in general is the free press grown up--it is "the poor man's soap box" with a global reach. In a way it might be thought of as taking the sport out of DXing . . . and it gives the "operator" the ability to make his text and images accessible globally.
The other difference between ham radio and FR is that ham radio has relatively few channels to operate on, I think--whereas the Internet has basically unlimited capacity to allow people to establish their own addresses for the rest of the world to access. Again, the broadcast licensee has the right to talk, and we-the-people have the right to listen--and the duty to shut up, as far as the licensed bands are concerned. That turns the First Amendment principle on its head.
Why Broadcast Journalism is Unnecessary and Illegitimate
Art was active last night - on 3.840 (MHz) - close to a group I talk with once in awhile.
Art's got a new antenna system too; it involves scads of harware cloth (for use as a ground plane) and a large 'loop' for use on "eighty" (meters that is) ... signal reports he's getting have been good - incuding 59 reports at 20 dB over S9 in Alaska ...
If running legally - range won't extend much past your backward! Legally, without a license, you're only allowed to produce a field strength of 250 uV/m at 3 meters - it takes about 8 to 10 mW (milliWatts) of TPO (transmitter power output) into a 0 dBi antenna (like a 1/4 wave groundplane) to get in the ballpark of 250 uV/m at 3 meters ...
LPFM (Low Power FM) is another thing entirely; currently limited to non-commercial community groups, churches and the like ...
Excerpt:
Myths and Our Rebuttal:Few LPFM stations are on the air and LPFM will remain rare - First, the statistics quoted are out of date. As of today more than 600 construction permits has been issued and 150+ LPFM stations are on the air. By the end of this year, we predict nearly one thousand CPs - this is the amount predicted by former FCC Chairman Bill Kennard.
Excerpt:
1. WHAT IS LOW POWER RADIO (LPFM) SERVICE? Low power FM radio (LPFM) refers to the over one thousand 10 watt or 100 watt stations the FCC expects to license in the coming year and a half.The 10 watt stations will reach a 1-2 mile radius, and the 100 watt stations should reach a radius of at least 3.5 miles.
By comparison, full power FM stations usually have between 6,000 to 100,000 watts of power, and broadcast over an 18-60 mile radius. LPFM stations would be located throughout the FM band. Initially, they will be licensed only to local, community-based and nonprofit entities.
Huh?
There is enough spectrum in one band 70 cm (420 - 450 MHz) alone to allow the concurrent operation of several full-blown, full-motion, color ATV (Amateur Television) stations!
'Ham' radio isn't quite limited like CB (legally, only 40 'channels' allocated) is - there are variety of 'bands' with a varying amounts of spectrum in each ...
I am not up to date at all, and wouldn't presume to describe what's available to Ham operators today--except that I'm pretty sure that the Internet enables an "operator" such as FR to buy as much bandwidth as it wants--to include, perhaps, ten video channels. And that any other operator can do likewise, simultaneously. The upshot is that the only limit on televising over the internet is trying to get an audience, not trying to get a channel allocation. And I see that as a fundamental difference--I can televise any time I want, but you don't have to watch. That's the First Amendment way. Whereas broadcast band licenses are scarce as hen's teeth.
You know - this is the funny thing about people who decry the 'lack' of an broadcast outlet for their POV - take a listen around you and FIND someone who is vocalizing your POV and support them ... UNLESS you can't find someone with the same POV as yours - but I doubt that's the case.
If you REALLY don't find someone with a parallel POV as yours - there is a CHEAPER way to 'air' your POV than investing in the substantial capital equipment required to adequately 'cover' an area with a radio signal
- a) by ad time or b) purchase air time either from local stations (although you're probably not going to get time on the 50,000 watt AM Class A blowtorch in your area) OR c) from the likes of www.WWRB.org for a REALLY reasonable cost per hour ...
Purchasing Airtime On World Wide Religious BroadcastersWWRB is the *same* organization/same company that sells airtime to Alex Jones for his brand of looniness.WWRB has air time for sale at an incredibly low price per hour. You can even lease a whole transmitter under your own call letters! (Subject to FCC approval.) See our antenna coverage maps. Call Evangelist Dave Frantz or Pete Taggart at (931) 841-0492 during normal business hours for details. We are mission-oriented; we will build to suit our client's specific mission requirements. We are a church radio ministry; our goal is to offer clients low cost airtime with maximum service and efficiency.
Disclaimer: I neither work for, nor do I have any financial interest in, WWRB.org.
http://www.wwrb.org/schedules/global1/g1sched.htm
I see open air time at 8 PM on Sundays and 1:30 AM weekdays - here's the full schedule for Sunday and Monday - and this is only for one of WWRB's four global-covearge-capable transmitters:
Sunday Schedule For Global I: All Times In Eastern Standard Format. Click Here to See Global I Day Antenna Coverage Map, Click Back Button to Return to Schedule 12.00 PM - 07.58 PM, Frequency: 12.172 MHz _____________________________________________________________________________ 12.00 PM: Reality in Jesus 12.30 PM: Urban Harvest Ministries 01.00 PM: Full Gospel Hour 02.00 PM: Truth House 03.00 PM: Truth House 04.00 PM: Table of Truth 05.00 PM: Word of Life 05.30 PM: Global Glory Ministries 06.00 PM: God's Message 06.30 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 07.00 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 07.30 PM: Shortwave Sermon Time 07.58 PM: Frequency Change to 5.085 MHz _____________________________________________________________________________ 08.00 PM - 02.00 AM, Frequency: 5.085 MHz Click Here to See Global I Night Antenna Coverage Map, Click Back Button to Return to Schedule _____________________________________________________________________________ 08.00 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 09.00 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 10.00 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 11.00 PM: Hour of Courage 12.00 AM: Old Paths 12.30 AM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 01.00 AM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 02.00 AM - 07.55 AM: Transmitter available for block airtime lease, please call (931) 841-0492 for details. Monday Schedule For Global I: All Times In Eastern Standard Format. Click Here to See Global I Day Antenna Coverage Map, Click Back Button to Return to Schedule 10.00 AM - 07.58 PM, Frequency: 12.172 MHz ___________________________________________________________________________ 10.00 AM: Achieving Greater Health 11:00 AM: The Derry Brownfield Show 12.00 PM: Alex Jones! 01.00 PM: Alex Jones! 02.00 PM: Alex Jones! 03.00 PM: Christian Media 04.00 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 05.00 PM: Global Spirit Proclamation 06:00 PM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 07:00 PM: AV 1611 Hour 07.58 PM: Change Frequencies to 5.085 MHz ____________________________________________________________________________ 08.00 PM - 02.00 AM, Frequency: 5.085 MHz Click Here to See Global I Night Antenna Coverage Map, Click Back Button to Return to Schedule ____________________________________________________________________________ 08:00 PM: Prophecy News 08.30 PM: The Last Voice of the Church Age 09.00 PM: Truth House 10.00 PM: Alex Jones! 11.00 PM: Alex Jones! 12.00 AM: Alex Jones! 01.00 AM: Gospel of Christ 01.30 AM: Available Time Slot, call (931) 841-0492 For Purchasing Information 02.00 AM - 07.55 AM: Transmitter available for block airtime lease, please call (931) 841-0492 for details.
He missed a couple of his weekend show appearances due to his efforts in setting his new antenna up, suggesting he's doing a good bit more than just some pole-and-beams work with a fussy rotor.
I'll have to fire up the old CM-1 and give a listen. Though I'm nowhere near Alaska.
Now if only WWV would offer the same deal....
-archy-/-
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