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Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communication:
from
newlenoxpatriot.com
on
February 9, 2010
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Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communication:
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Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communication:
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by KJ4NBM on February 9, 2010
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I get weary of reading articles where somebody says Amateur Radio is an outdated technology. While talking with someone the other day about ham radio they asked why I wanted to use old technology.
Well I think I'll come back with this argument in the future:
Radio maybe an old technology but so are automobiles. Both radio and automobiles emerged about a century ago. Have people stopped using automobiles yet? I don't think so. Now granted automobiles are a heck of alot more advanced than they were 100 years ago, but so is radio technology. Someone might say, "well, there are better ways to communicate nowadays than with regular radio but people still need cars to get around for the most part". Ok well I'll grant you that. I have a cell phone in my pocket like everyone else so if I really need to communicate with someone I'll call or text them. Ham radio is a technical hobby for enjoyment not a primary means of communication.
A related argument might go like this: Horses are a very antequated means of transportation technology but I know people who really like to ride horses and spend alot of time and money taking care of those horses. If they have to travel somewhere far they also have automobiles they use.
Anyway I'll stop rambling now
KJ4NBm
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RE: Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communicatio
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by WB9QVR on February 9, 2010
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KJ4NBM, I feel much the same. When someone asks why I use 'outdated technology' when cell phones and the internet are available I reply with some questions of my own:
Would you ask a NASCAR driver why they bother with driving cars at 200 MPH when we have aircraft that can travel at Mach 3 and beyond?
Would you ask someone who enjoys fishing why they don't just buy fish from a supermarket?
Would you ask someone who guides a sailboat across the Atlantic why they do that when there are much more modern modes of transportation?
Would you ask someone who runs a marathon why they don't just get in a car and drive the 26.2 miles?
Those are but a few examples. I'm sure there are many others.
Don't get me wrong - I am not anti-technology. In fact I'm a huge gadget freak and my profession is actually technology-based. I know I can pick up my cell phone or sit down at a computer and instantly communicate with people nearly anywhere in the world. The simple fact is I enjoy ham radio for its own sake (much like a sailor enjoys sailing for its own sake). Even surrounded by all the technology that we have there's still something magical about stringing a wire between two trees and communicating with different parts of the world. It's also fun not knowing where your signal might reach as conditions change. In addition ham radio as a hobby has taught me much about physics and electronics - I can honestly say that I've not learned a thing about either of those topics by operating a cell phone or a PC.
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RE: Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communicatio
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by N6CTW on February 9, 2010
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Re:KJ4NBM Comment:
"Radio maybe an old technology but so are automobiles. Both radio and automobiles emerged about a century ago. Have people stopped using automobiles yet? I don't think so. Now granted automobiles are a heck of alot more advanced than they were 100 years ago, but so is radio technology. Someone might say, "well, there are better ways to communicate nowadays than with regular radio but people still need cars to get around for the most part". Ok well I'll grant you that. I have a cell phone in my pocket like everyone else so if I really need to communicate with someone I'll call or text them. Ham radio is a technical hobby for enjoyment not a primary means of communication."
Question: What happens in an earthquake? And all cell phone sites are not up to the operation standards, they are locked up due the useage amount of cell phones? Or worst yet, they have no power to operate at all. That is where Amateur Radio Prevails!
That is what goes on here in Southern California. Example was the Northridge Earthquake. There was a loss of electricial power that was over a large vast of territory. But, Amateur Radio was there for communcations.
With a good radio with a power source fed into, along with a quality antenna is what it takes for communcations of any sort. If not for ragchew, then for emergency communications. At long as it gets the job done, like a car, as long as it gets you there and back, safely.
Something to think about!
Cliff, N6CTW
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RE: Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communicatio
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by KJ4NBM on February 9, 2010
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Sorry, don't get me wrong. Amateur Radio is an invaluable emcomm resource in the aftermath of a disaster. It might be the primary communication in that situation. I was thinking about Amateur Radio under normal circumstances.
KJ4NBM
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