[BC] Amatuer radio spectrum

[Cowboy]

On Friday 20 March 2009 03:05 pm, towers at mre.com wrote:
>   I suggested long ago that amatuers be included in the EAS program. 
>  There are MANY repeaters which have equal or better coverage than some
>  Class B or C stations.  I know of systems in every part of the USA which
>  would relay EAS/CAP messages. Especially those in areas without LP's in a
>  heartbeat.

 I suggested this very thing during the original EAS proceeding.
 What I was told at the time, was that the Part 97 rules specifically
 prohibit "broadcasting" anything, so that before any Amateur participation
 in EAS of any sort could be considered, the Part 97 rules for the Amateur
 "service" would need to be changed.
 SO, until such time as the rules allow amateurs to transmit material "intended
 for reception by the general public" the rules specificly prohibit any 
 amateur participation in EAS in any way.

 Go figure.
 Rules before lives.

 However, back in '85 when the tornados tore through Niles, 
 Station eight-zed transmitted quite a bit of information specificly
 prohibited by many rules. Yes, I did get a "show cause" in the mail,
 for violations of so many chapters and verses I didn't even count.
 My response was that the verbiage on the back of my commercial
 license ( it was a license then ) as well as elsewhere in the rules
 allowed me to use my "station" in practically any way I saw fit to effect
 the preservation of life and property, and THATS why eight-zed was
 found on amateur, police, fire, and broadcast frequencies carrying
 traffic normally prohibited on any or all of them.
 I still have my licenses.

-- 
Cowboy