Posted on 10/11/2019 6:36:35 AM PDT by AU72
The People’s Republic of California is at it again; through unelected state officials, California is severing ties to ham radio repeater owners throughout the state, jeopardizing the lives of millions of Californians who depend on these repeaters to operate during emergencies.
Last month, repeater operators were sent emails telling them the State would no longer allow them to operate repeaters on public land without paying substantial rental fees. In the letter sent by CAL FIRE, the state claims Ham operators no longer provide a benefit to the state or public safety. They claimed that “constantly changing technological advances” has made Ham radio obsolete during an emergency.
Keep in mind; this is a state that is currently shutting power down in 34 of its counties because its infrastructure cannot handle 20-30 mph winds without risking wildfire breakouts throughout the state.
What is infuriating here is people are going to die because of this decision. It costs the State of California nothing to allow these repeaters on public land; in fact, Ham Radio Operators pay for the equipment and maintain the equipment at their own cost. Ham Radio operators also make nothing from running these radio repeaters; they do so as a service to the public to help ensure the public’s safety during natural disasters and emergencies.
Here is a good explanation of what’s going on from a Ham Radio operator in California
While paying billions of dollars a year to cater to illegal immigrants and welfare bums, California is now targeting hard-working Ham operators who provide critical and vital Disaster Emergency Communications. These people have absolutely lost their minds!
There is a nationwide effort to Kill Ham Radio
My off the grid ham radio
Even most Hams haven’t taken notice, but in 2012 the federal government launched FirstNet, a public safety nationwide broadband network that many in the government think will make Ham radio operators obsolete. In reality, its nothing more than a $47 Billion Federal Cell Phone Network that itself is already obsolete. In fact, it needs LOTS of infrastructure to function, and it creates multiple, single points of failure.
The real story here is Ham Radio is a threat to the government. We make them look stupid! They spend billions on infrastructure that breaks down, while we can literally take a hundred bucks in equipment, some random wires, and in minutes set up a radio system that can communicate with anyone in the world. Hell, I’ve used my kid’s slinky, some Television Coax Cable, and a solar battery system to build a mobile rig that I’ve used to talk to people around the world — You can check out the Radio Rig Here.
They don’t want the public to realize that we can take care of ourselves, and do a much better and cheaper job doing so!
Billionaires are building bunkers, just as you stated, in The Hamptons. Get prepared. This is not a test.
Yes it is.
And this "announcement" came from fire authorities, while the state is burning again.
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You know what I mean.
The stereotype that only dangerous kooks listen to Ham Radio.
Actually, it doesn't really work that way. Google HF radio. The only "long range" of HF is due to the very unpredictable and uncontrollable "skip" as the signal bounces from the earth to the changing layers of the ionosphere. It is called "Shortwave" for a reason after all. That isn't "Longwave" It is also so subject to atmospherics that it is only usable to aficionados who know how to make it work for them. Watch an old movie from the 1930's to the 1950's and see how hard it was to stay in contact with the other guy. It is really like that.
I know how it works, been in it for years. Some frequencies just carry farther than others across distances, and these are all locked up from public use. These frequencies along with TX power output advantages are only being afforded to the good old boy club and not to the general public.
And HAM operators provide essential services during and after disasters. CA is really going to regret this.
Just a thin slice of a good band is all.
> you know what I mean
Well, I sort of do. Even Oath Keepers disavows White S..s (not even going to type the word). And I took crap right here on good old FR for posting one of their announcements.
I guess there existed such creatures. I am not sure I have ever known one.
At some point, if white is defined as inferior and evil, many will not be strong enough to resist _reacting_ (becoming reactionary). They will self identify as W S. Will we disavow them at that point?
Only if we want to lose.
All you need is radios that cover the assigned ham radio frequencies and an antenna, and you can monitor it all.
Transmissions are in voice, Morse code and digital, AM and FM and single sideband, etc, so you have to learn a little and invest a little to hear and see it all, but it's doable.
Encryption, to the best of my knowledge, is not allowed.
What you said is true to a point.
Many years ago in the Air Force we put up up a 12 channel Voice Frequency Carrier Telegraph "Tone Pack." Each channel was only an on or off tone. To a Ham operator that Tone Pack sounded like a special kind of noise. Encryption was allowed. Oh, and that Voice Frequency Carrier Telegraph technology was patented in the 1920's. You also may see it called VFTG instead of VFCT.
And it is essentially unregulated. We generally self-report violators.
Only one reason they are doing this. Network disruption. Also, they are trying to hobble ARES, which is FEDERAL.
The bulk of repeaters are on Federal land in the West.
They have "howlers" that run up and down frequencies.
So, you are not talking about the old HF frequencies that Ham operators use, but just wanted to throw in that dig on the FCC rat holing frequencies. Agreed then.
There may be satellites that monitor vhf communications that reach the satellites...
There are no satellites that monitor short-distance point-to-point VHF.
Right, hit it while it's warm and toasty. ;^)
CA hams need to find new, privately owned towers. Pi$$ on the govt.
This is nonsense.
I was learning to be a CERT volunteer with my local FD before I moved away from California.
They say the first thing to go in an earthquake will be the cell towers. They were relying on we locals with ham radios to patrol our local neighborhoods after an earthquake and report on downed buildings, powerlines, gas leaks, etc., so they can triage their rapid response teams.
I lived in an area with lots of hills and canyons, and a freeway that would cut the town in half if the overpasses collapsed. It was vital that we had ham radio relays that we practiced quarterly so that neighborhoods tucked into the canyons can get their signals out.
Big mistake, California.
-PJ
Yup, not only legal, but normal in the military.
I was referring only to civilian "ham" radio.
Plus I haven't remembered or kept up on things as I should.
What was your career field in the USAF?
Hams volunteered their time and equipment. They immediately set up both HF and VHF nets with disciplined operators working directly with the emergency response organizations. For the duration of the emergency, hams helped coordinate sand bagging, and emergency rescue efforts, as well as health and welfare requests from across the country. It's not just matter of technology, but also training, discipline, and experience that counts.
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