Nowhere in Part 97 does the word "hobby" appear. Not even once.
I said not fully addressed. You can run drills and tests. In the event of an actual emergency, if you are being paid, then it's a problem.
No, it isn't. Not if it's a real emergency. See my example about the broken-down car.
As far as hobby, you're right, it doesn't say it. It says that it's not for commercial use. I wasn't quoting FCC regulations. I am stating fact. It's a HOBBY.
What's your definition of "HOBBY"?
I see the phrases "it's a hobby" and "it's just a hobby" tossed around without any real explanation of what that is supposed to mean. Usually the implication is that people shouldn't take it seriously.
Even if ham radio is "a HOBBY", how does that change the use in emergencies?
I realize that there are those that are doing this for the right reasons and motivations. I don't have ea problem with them.
What I have the problem with is people getting licensed strictly for ECCOM. What I have issue with is the foaming at the mouth wackers with their reflective vests and their ARES bling that the league has encouraged at the cost of the hobbies outward appearance to local LEO's and fire /EMS groups.
The jackwagons that have their ARES repeater paid for by tax dollars that sit on the same site, running off the same power and on the same tower as all the local public safety repeaters and then thinking that is what they are going to rely on for ECCOM. The loons that believe that they are going to be riding around in fire trucks with their HT's going to all the action with the firefighters because they are the last hope of freedom and civility in the world.
Your problem is with certain individuals, then. Do you think it helps the situation by calling them names?
How should it be done?
The way the served agencies work nowadays is that they have drills, tests, coordination, things setup ahead of time, registration, etc. They want people and equipment they know and work with ahead of time, not ad hoc stuff when an emergency happens. What they DON'T want is untrained strangers showing up with their own gear during an emergency wanting to help out.
This isn't new. Look back to the days of CD and even WERS.
IF it ever comes to the point that some hammie repeater is the last thing operational in an area and a state of emergency has been declared, the first thing that will happen is the repeater will be pulled from amateur service and re-purposed for public safety communications. If it can't be but there is a working antenna is in the air, the hammie gear will be pulled and a commercial repeater will be dropped in place in ANY CASE that it's at a publicly owned site. My guess is that if it's a private site, it will take a bit longer, but it will happen.
Maybe. So what? In any case, ham radio has made a contribution.
Truth is, the ham repeater won't be so easily repurposed in an emergency situation.
73 de Jim, N2EY