In my view, amateur radio has not been given the credit or attention that 
it is due.  While many new technologies have been introduced in the past 
few years, the things that make amateur radio a national and international 
asset remain.  The main limitation to cellular telephone and internet 
facilities is that they are generally maintained by a few companies at 
specific locations, and when the infrastructure is seriously damaged, it 
takes some time to redeploy equipment and restore service.  Amateur radio's 
strength has always been its decentralized nature, being deistributed 
throughout the general population.  Because it is more spread around 
geographically than cellular systems, and is more portable than computer 
technology, it is usually more survival in a time of disaster than other 
systems.  Amateur radio networks work best when people in the general 
population are free to make installations at their homes which are capable 
of establishing reasonable communications over a regional area.  The 
Federal Communications Commission has recognized this, and has already 
pre-empted zoning regulations that would seek to hamper this capability in 
many residential areas.

Amateur Radio should not be seen as a competitor to these technologies, or 
the technologies being developed by emergency management agencies, but 
rather should be seen as a service to augment these technologies.  Amateur 
Radio often does not receive the credit that it is due, largely because 
when it is not being used in a relief situation, it is largely used as a 
leisure past time for those who like to chat amongst themselves, or 
experiment with various communications techniques.  However, one should 
keep in mind that the emergency capabilities of amateur radio should be 
viewed like the smoke alarm in one's house--most of the time it is not 
really needed, until you have an emergency, and then it is really really 
needed.

Amateur radio serves the public under less dire circumstances, as well.  It 
is used in many situations where short term point to point communications 
are needed, such as at parades, bike-a-thons, sporting events, etc., where 
it does not make sense to install a communications system for an event that 
will only happen once or twice a year.  In my own community, amateur radio 
operators provided communications this last year for a parade, replacing 
rented commercial radios that parade officials had trouble operating, and 
which did not hold up well

Even casual communications are of value in as much as they foster an 
exchange of ideas and cultures between peoples of different countries.  In 
recent times, Amateur Radio has been used as an educational tool in 
schools, and has had a long history of promoting the development of skills 
in our youth through organizations like the Boy Scouts.

Imagine if antenna restrictions were allowed to flourish to the extent that 
most of these efforts came to an end or were at least greatly hampered.  I 
think that most people who look at the merits of the amateur radio service 
would agree that it would be a loss.


Louis K. Kline
A.R.S. K2LKK
Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753 im Klin

At 03:52 PM 1/13/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi:
>
>Copied below, is a copy of a letter I sent to Patrick Tice at Handiams.
>Please read the letter and, if you have suggestions, send them to me as soon
>as possible.  As stated, we are looking for testimonials which address what
>amateur radio has meant to you including how it has allowed you to give to
>your community.
>
>Thanks.
>Bob Martin
>KC3FI
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