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I appreciate your insight...In the technician manual "Now you're talking" June 2003, they recommend the same thing that I had mentioned in the earlier message, which is to buy and listen to 2 meter and 70 cm...but they emphasis that it is illegal to transmit without a license (which I thought that I had explained in my earlier message)...I thought that I had also explained that during an emergency, rules change for those who can/can't transmit. These rules are not yet known, but could be anything - what every they are at the time of emergency, they are to be strictly followed. If I didn't say it correctly in my earlier message, I apologize. If you don't agree with my clarification in this message, you may need to get in touch with FCC - stated in section 97. While I agree that it should not become the "Wild West" by any and everyone transmitting, rules can be adjusted when an emergency is involved. This could mean that if there are not enough licensed HAMs to help out in an emergency, that non-license people could step in (deputizing of control operators). But I do stress that whether you have a license or not, in emergency situations, you should NEVER tie up frequencies that are being or could be used for real emergency situation...but I thought I made that clear...sorry

I thought that I had also explained that during an emergency, rules change for those who can/can't transmit. These rules are not yet known, but could be anything - what every they are at the time of emergency, they are to be strictly followed.

May I direct your attention to FCC rules part 97.407. This describes the rules under which amateur radio stations may be employed in an emergency. When the President invokes the War Emergency Powers Act, the set of available frequencies is immediately restricted. The stations permitted to participate are restricted to those registered with the local civil emergency services organizations.

I've been active with emergency communications in the amateur radio world since 1976. That includes work with ARES, RACES, Animal Rescue Reserve and various community service exercises. The laws are on the books. The amateur community understands and abides by them. While I resided in San Diego, my wife was the liason between the San Diego Sheriff's Dept, RACES and the Office of Emergency Services. She was also the liason to Animal Rescue Reserve. Both of us have been in this line of service for many years.