Romney "Disses" Amateur Radio In Televised Town Meeting (and why he won't get my vote)

Eastern MA American Radio Relay League ^ | Wednesday 16 November 2005 @ 15:48:10 | Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

[Rick.Donaldson]

Romney "Disses" Amateur Radio In Televised Town Meeting Posted on Wednesday 16 November 2005 @ 15:48:10

Governor Mitt Romney dismissed the role of Amateur Radio operators in emergency communications during a televised "town meeting" program last night on WCVB's "When Disaster Strikes: Segment Two." The program featured public safety and volunteer organization officials from across Massachusetts among its audience.

Host and moderator Natalie Jacobson asked an increasingly-agitated Governor Romney questions about communications interoperability, and communication without commercial power. Romney was next asked by Jacobson, "...so does it come down to ham radio?..."

The Governor replied in a disgusted tone, "No, we don't need to deal with ham radio operators..."

Embarrassed public safety officials later tried to put in a good word for Amateur Radio. National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Glenn Field was prepared to state the importance of Amateur Radio, when Salvation Army Colonel Fred Van Brunt was called upon. Van Brunt remarked about his organization's quest to improve its communications capabilities and how Amateur Radio has aided his organization. "The ham radio situation helps a great deal," he stated.

"I have already written and submitted a letter to the Governor's Office," wrote Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY. "I have also written an email to Natalie Jacobson."

ARRL Section Manager Mike Neilsen, W1MPN sent a section-wide email today to all Eastern MA ARRL members describing the incident along with actions he and his staff were taking to mitigate the situation.

"[Romney's] attitude about us sets an unfortunate tone within the state's executive branch," wrote Neilsen. "As a former military officer, I see this as a failure in leadership. My immediate concern is our working relationship within the [Massachusetts Emergency Management Team] environment." Neilsen intends to address the Governor's comments as "an urgent matter" at a meeting on November 17 with Don Carlton from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

"I was very disturbed about what the Governor stated on the program," wrote Ron Wood, W1PLW, the section's Public Information Coordinator. "It does show that more work is needed by all hams in the section. It's a great idea to write letters explaining the good we do." Wood is attempting to schedule a meeting with the Governor's office tomorrow so that EMA ARRL staffers might discuss the matter further.

Tom Kinahan, N1CPE wrote that Governor Romney's comment has made "a PR problem" for Kinahan in his role as MA State RACES Officer.

"I've got a roster of over 150 Amateur Radio operators that support local communities, and those of us that directly support the state government. There are at least double that in terms of people that are actually out there that I don't have formal paperwork on that support Amateur Radio emergency communications in some organized manner... The Governor has said that he 'certainly doesn't need to rely on ham radio' -- where does that leave the RACES program now?"

"I am ashamed tonight that I am a Republican!" remarked one ham radio viewer. "[Romney] speaks in derogatory tones about hams. He certainly shows an ignorance as to what we do and are capable of. I suggest a grass roots campaign of local hams calling the State House and The Governor's Office to protest."

The television program can be viewed at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/5334306/detail.html.

[Harry_Bwater]

Rick Donaldson said:

——There has NEVER been an incident
of the FCC calling someone in for
retesting. Furthermore, the FCC doesn’t
do that, so you’re the one that is incorrect,
they will refuse to issue a license, but, the
FCC DOES NOT DO THE TESTING.
the testing is sanctioned by the FCC.——

Afraid you are off in the weeds on that one Rick. Before you make such a carte blanche statement you need to research public records. For your review you will find links below which specifically have notices where the licensees were notified to report for retesting under the auspices of FCC examiners and in FCC offices.

http://www.arrl.org/news/enforcement_logs/1999/0709.html

Notice in particular the item which occurred in CALIMESA, CA.

http://www.arrl.org/news/enforcement_logs/1999/0721.html

MIRAMAR SAN JUAN, PR, NEW YORK, NY, PONCE, PR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA licensees were order to appear for retesting at FCC facilities under FCC staff supervision in the above reference URL.

http://www.arrl.org/news/enforcement_logs/1999/0811.html

COROZAL, PR, NEW ALMADEN, CA, NEW YORK, NY, SACRAMENTO, CA, TAMPA, FL, licensees in the above referenced URL were similarly ordered to report for retesting under FCC supervision.

Again these are not isolated incidents.

Rick Donaldson said:

——You have no idea what
you’re talking about.——

Obviously I am better informed on amateur radio issues then you.

Rick Donaldson said:

——My technical title is “Systems
Engineer” and I engineer things
down to the component level.——

So now you are Systems Engineer instead of an “Electronics Engineer”? What body titled you a Systems Engineer? A check of the Colorado State Board of Registration shows no Rick Donaldson registered as either a Professional Engineer or Engineer Intern. Are you a full member of the IEEE or associate member? You did not elaborate on your degree, alma mater or if you are a Licensed Professional Engineer in any state. Do you wish to continue to discredit yourself?

——This isn’t about ME, it’s about him.——

I disagree! You made yourself an issue when you used your professional engineer background as a qualification to make statements based on your intellectual abilities.

Rick Donaldson said:

——Apparently, you’re one of those idiot Citizens banders who couldn’t GET an FCC license or something, which is why you’re attacking the Amateur Radio Service and the people in it. I’m sorry you’re not intelligent enough to take a “multiple guess test” and get a license GIVEN to you by a “wink wink” volunteer examiner, but apparently you’re just too ignorant. /shrug——

Since I do not own a CB Radio I fail to see how I can be a CB Operator. I do however occasionally listen to shortwave transmissions and many of the tirades heard on the 27 MHz Citizens Band sound a lot like your rants here and those on 14.313 MHz.

——Mitt Romney has made several statements that make him unqualified as a President. All he has to do is apologize for his stupid remarks to make me reconsider him, but at this point if you’re a supporter, and it appears you are, then you’re a very BAD example of the kind of people who support him - and if he is elected President because of you, then I suspect there will be a lot of dumb asses like yourself put into offices——

I find it amusing you repeatedly refer to me as a donkey although I suspect your implication is that I am a vital anatomical part. If that is the case, thank you for the complement.

73

[OT_ham]

To: Rick Donaldson (et al).

I received the following email from the Romney folks regarding the statement Governor Romney made during the Townhall meeting back in November of 2005:

Mitt Romney Banner

Dear John:
Thank you for following up with me on the responsibility of Ham Radio Operators. The exchange with Natalie Jacobsen was meant to imply that we need to strengthen our emergency response infrastructure, rather than demean the important role I recognize that Ham Radio Operators play around our country. I hope this will clear up any confusion.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I encourage you to visit my website at www.MittRomney.com for updated information on other issues that may be of interest to you. I look forward to hearing from you in the future, and earning your support.

Sincerely,

(Mitt Romney Signature)

www.MittRomney.com

[Rick.Donaldson]

Well, the point is moot now, isn’t it? At least until 2012.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>... [Romney] is clearly not qualified to stand in the position as Commander-in-Chief of the United States.

Nothing new about that.

[JenB987]

My dad is n3hkq.

I’m not a ham op myself, but I grew up with my dad huddled in the basement on Tuesday nights, which I assume is the big ham night? He’s always going to field days. I was always interested in weather and used to want to be a meteorologist, so I liked listening to the SkyWarn stuff when he was tinkering on his radios.

I know my dad won’t be happy about this, but I don’t think he’s a Romney supporter anyway.

[JenB987]

Oh snap, didn’t see the date on this article. :)

[editor-surveyor]

Whether he knows it or not, Romney has just placed himself in opposition to a network of real newsmen that will blunt any political future that he may have had.

He is now officially toast.

[editor-surveyor]

"Whether you like ham radio or not, not voting for someone based solely on that is rather immature."

Add yourself to the ever growing list of those that "just don't get it!"

It's all about who is in control, the people, or their 'masters.' - Romney has just decisively tipped his hand, and the cards he's shown are truly ugly.

[editor-surveyor]

"You people are totally off base here. Interoperability involves frequencies that are not used by current Ham operations"

It is you that are 'off base.'

The capability to operate on all frequencies, and modes in emergencies could easily be added to any amateur station that chose to expand their license and capabilities, but Romney has made himself clear that he opposes this public intrusion into the domain of the controllers.

I would have willingly voted for him in the past election, but he has shown his true colors, and is now off my list for sure.

[Little Ray]

Maybe, but its just one more nail in a VERY securely nailed down coffin (including MA Care, gun control, gay marriage, etc.)

[editor-surveyor]

"It is no longer the corp of motivated technically competent individuals that filled the ranks in years past."

Loads of Barbara Streisand!

Are you talking about the non-code Tech license? - That is a very limited license, and 1000 watts is chump change in most frequencies, except 0n the wee hours of the morning.

[editor-surveyor]

"Oh snap, didn’t see the date on this article."

That's OK, you now have important knowledge that you previously didn't (same here) and that's a good thing!

[_Jim]

I've had a FCC license for 30 years. I used to own a 100,000 watt station.

Hopefully I'm the umpteenth person to call 'BS' on this particular claim ... (unless he means a commercial broadcast radio station and what used to be known as an FCC "First Class Radiotelephone Operator License" and now in its place a "General Radiotelephone Operator License").

References:
Part 97 Amateur Radio Service §97.313 Transmitter power standards

Commercial Radio Operator License Program Types of Licenses, Permits, and Endorsements

[_Jim]

Yup. In an emergency most first responders can just wait for the system to come back on-line. HAMs can build a radio out of scrap and start transmitting.

Mneawhile, all the 'users' on those mighty-fine trunking systems hear a low-level beep as the controller attempts to re-boot and come back up (thereby restoring order to the system).

Oh - did I mention?

While that 'controller' is booting literally THOUSANDS of "first responder" (and bus driver and trash collector etc.) radios on the 5, 10, 15 or 20+ trunking system 'scan' for the control channel and NOT FINDING ONE will park on a pre-programmed voice channel where it becomes one huge "CH 19" party line where everybody can here everboy else (think busy intersection but now with a "blinking four-way stop" system instead of the usual staged Green-Yellow-Red light system).

[_Jim]

Somehow federalism has gone out the window for some. Not I. Romney would have no comments either for of against something the Federal government has no business in except to the extent that the FCC regulates currently. The FCC does not tell a State what it must have, nor how to do it.

Subpart E -- Providing Emergency Communications and it begins with:

§97.401 Operation during a disaster

And in particular:

§97.407 Radio amateur civil emergency service

[cva66snipe]

Whether you like ham radio or not, not voting for someone based solely on that is rather immature.

The man was governor and as governor was in charge of emergency operations in his state. As a result of that he should know and very well understand the importance of HAM Radio to emergency management. I'm not a HAM Operator but when tornado watches go up my police scanner goes to HAM Bands and SKYWARN. Those HAM Operators are trained weather spotters and NWS depends on them for visual confirmations.

In my area a couple of years ago a school was on a field trip to the Smoky Mountains and one of the kids drowned. A kid in the class have brought along his hand held VHF Ham Radio and was able to summon help in an area cell phones could not. It cut down the Rangers response time to them by at least an hour as someone would have had to hiked out for help.

Romney needs an education on emergency management and maybe attend a few HAM practice drills so he would appreciate the dedication involved. Even the USN recognizes their value.

[_Jim]

It is no longer the corp of motivated technically competent individuals that filled the ranks in years past. Over the last 30 years the amateur license has become a farce

Only an expressed opinion; not necessarily representative of actual fact.

My conjecture is: You're only hearing the 'lids' that seem to inhabit 80 Meters ...

[_Jim]

It's all about who is in control, the people, or their 'masters.'

More and more we are becoming 'wards of the state' as opposed to being involved in the matters and part of our state (or states).

I would think, that being 'charged' with the reponsibility of the welfare/well-being of any particular governor's state, that they would be versed in all that they can do in ANY situation to minimize loss of life and property, making use of any and ALL asssets and resources.

But no.

Take for instance in the the Katrina debacle the actions or rather, inaction of one Kathleen Blanco.

All that came to mind when I saw her was 'nest sitter'; in no way a leader, thinker or problem solver.

[editor-surveyor]

"All that came to mind when I saw her was 'nest sitter'; in no way a leader, thinker or problem solver."

And then there's Arnold Swartzenkennedy. - Every moment is a photo-opp. He offers zingers and wise cracks in the most dire of circumstances. We are in deeep do-do.

[Cold Heat]

LOL

Jim, do you know how old this thread is? It’s old.....LOL

Anyhoo, That FCC quote was not mine, however I do know about the license as I had one 30 years ago. It was mandatory for all who worked at the station.

This thread is really about getting some misinformation about Romney addressed back during the primary. It made no difference. He lost, we ended up with McStain and now we are totally screwed.

I am thinking about Costa Rica.........LOL

I want to take this time to thank the Republican Party! I want to thank all those who attacked each other and destroyed the base. Even Rush won’t escape that charge.

As the founders roll over in their graves, I want to thank all the good conservatives who blindly flailed away at the moderates.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

Keep up the great work! I’m so proud!

And thank you Jim for reminding me of the primary!

:-)