I agree With your first paragraph and second. Not only does looking like a Leo vehicle or parole vehicle attract the vandals and make you target by those with issues against law, but like a recent ham I know it made him a target by Leo's saying he was trying to impersonate just due to antennas and they assumed it was him running around with old strobes which was another vehicle they assumed due to the antennas. I myself had antennas on my vehicle before once got vandalized pretty good. It's a risk most time you won't have problems. But it just takes that one time to change your opinion on it all.
please use caution
- Thread starter mitbr
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I agree With your first paragraph and second. Not only does looking like a Leo vehicle or parole vehicle attract the vandals and make you target by those with issues against law, but like a recent ham I know it made him a target by Leo's saying he was trying to impersonate just due to antennas and they assumed it was him running around with old strobes which was another vehicle they assumed due to the antennas. I myself had antennas on my vehicle before once got vandalized pretty good. It's a risk most time you won't have problems. But it just takes that one time to change your opinion on it all.
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That's why if you have the option to register your call sign with a PO Box and not your home address, it does not completely protect you by any means but is another level of security that is easy to do.
fourthhorseman
Member
Thats not even your dog,Ive got that LEERBURG DVD..
Leerburg | Dealing with Dominant & Aggressive Dogs DVD
Tsk,,Tsk,,Tsk..u Fibber!
I used to stress a little,WhenI lived/worked in WestPhilly..Despite having 3 trained GermanSheps..
Now Im in the country..Lotsa windows..Lotsa visibility..I go out all day..5 Sheps now..from 8 months
to 13 years old..Best security one can have..Crooks better bring alotta steaks!...
Sometimes I dont even lock the doors..Like Joe Davola said...I like to encourage Intruders! (Seinfeld)
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mitbr
Active Member
I agree except that when you get the po box your ham license address has already been populated all over the net assuming you didn't have a po in the beginning.
Tim
I had my street address on there when I first got licensed but then got the PO Box. I updated my address under my FRN on the fcc.gov website and all of the places I checked online now show my PO Box. So you are correct but it appears they do update the next time they pull the list from the FCC...at least in my experience so far.
AC7NT
Member
Yes, we have and I agree... Knowing the enemy is the first measure of defence. Everyone should know what kind of threat(s) they are facing, then take steps to minimize risk. Security in depth (layers) is best, combined with situational awareness and observation.
Some information for the untrained individuals that may be thinking about security:
- A security system (hardwired) covering all exterior doors with secondary interior motion detection and cell back up for communications is a good starting point.
- CCTV to cover "blind spots" is another good idea.
- Advertise your provider by using stickers and yard staked signs, it does the most good.
- Adequate lighting combined with proper landscaping is also strongly recommend and can be quite effective. Nothing like finding a rose bush the hard way...
- Detection from trained animals is a very good but less reliable measure. The false positives from dogs can be annoying and dangerous to ignore.
- Physical protection (firearms) requires safety and planning. It also increases the danger involved with storage, safety and even use.
- Spend time with "response plans" and run thru drills at home on reactions to security breach situations. Use "not real" hardware (your hands and saying "bang" is a good fun way to do it) to simulate responses, run thru planning. Just as important as "fire drills" and for better reasons.
- Train for the worst case scenario, expect the best outcome... and practice, practice, practice. The harder one trains, the better the measured response will be.
mitbr
Active Member
Do you mind if I ask ho much you pay annually for a PO box? I was actually looking into one for other reasons.
Well, in various posts in various threads over the last couple of years I've seen people post varying amounts for the smallest box in their local office so it seems to vary by location. Mine is something like $12 or $15 or so a year.
You should be able to check USPS.com and see the rates for your local post office. I am pretty sure I researched it there before I went to the PO so I knew what size I wanted, etc.
That sounds very reasonable. Thanks for the speedy reply!
902
Member
Eyaahh...I suppose you wouldn't have anything to worry about if you dressed like a Pierrot clown every day. :lol:
rbm
Member
Just for some additional input .................
I have a somewhat larger PO Box.
Big enough for most small packages like Priority Mail boxes.
The cost is $112 per year. (11" x 5.5")
I see that the same box size can go for over $200 per year in other nearby post offices.
Rich
I have a somewhat larger PO Box.
Big enough for most small packages like Priority Mail boxes.
The cost is $112 per year. (11" x 5.5")
I see that the same box size can go for over $200 per year in other nearby post offices.
Rich
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KB7MIB
Member
Yes, the cost of a P.O. Box is going to vary by the size of the box, and perhaps by a few dollars between different offices.
I would shop around some. And only get what you really need. If all you need is a letter size box for any potential correspondance from the FCC, it'll be cheaper. If you want to receive all of your mail, particularly magazine subscriptions at the box, and don't want them rolled up to fit, or be forced to go to the counter to pick them up, you'll need a more expensive box.
And you don't even need to have the box located in the city you live in. When my dad was a letter carrier, he worked at an office in an adjacent city, and we had a box there. I kept the box for some years after he retired, before finally giving it up and going to my home address.
If/when finances allow, I plan on getting another box. Not that I have more than a few handheld radios worth stealing, and there's almost always someone at home.
But, I have another question. What about those who utilize APRS? (I don't.) Would the OP and those who agree with him suggest that no one use APRS in their personal vehicle on a regular basis, and never use it at home, including those who have APRS Wx nodes?
In my opinion, if used at home, you can fudge the GPS coordinates up to a half mile, and still be accurate as far as reporting weather conditions for Skywarn and/or CoCoRAHS. (I would set it to the nearest major intersection, which currently is 0.4 miles from my driveway by car.)
My guess is, everyone here would only advise using APRS for public service events and emergency communications, high altitude balloon flights, and the like. Is that an accurate guess?
John
Peoria, AZ
I would shop around some. And only get what you really need. If all you need is a letter size box for any potential correspondance from the FCC, it'll be cheaper. If you want to receive all of your mail, particularly magazine subscriptions at the box, and don't want them rolled up to fit, or be forced to go to the counter to pick them up, you'll need a more expensive box.
And you don't even need to have the box located in the city you live in. When my dad was a letter carrier, he worked at an office in an adjacent city, and we had a box there. I kept the box for some years after he retired, before finally giving it up and going to my home address.
If/when finances allow, I plan on getting another box. Not that I have more than a few handheld radios worth stealing, and there's almost always someone at home.
But, I have another question. What about those who utilize APRS? (I don't.) Would the OP and those who agree with him suggest that no one use APRS in their personal vehicle on a regular basis, and never use it at home, including those who have APRS Wx nodes?
In my opinion, if used at home, you can fudge the GPS coordinates up to a half mile, and still be accurate as far as reporting weather conditions for Skywarn and/or CoCoRAHS. (I would set it to the nearest major intersection, which currently is 0.4 miles from my driveway by car.)
My guess is, everyone here would only advise using APRS for public service events and emergency communications, high altitude balloon flights, and the like. Is that an accurate guess?
John
Peoria, AZ
mike_art03a
Member
I work security for a living and have a few tips to offer, barring firearms as I'm Canadian and don't value guns the same way.
1. (As others have said) Invest in a *good* security system from a known brand (Visonic, Ademco, Honeywell, DSC, GE, 2GIG <- Relatively new and works great, have it myself) and reliable service provider. If you do DIY it, make sure to install things according to the manual and not winging it. Otherwise, you'll be getting a ton alerts for trouble or false alarms. Also, ensure that you have a motion sensor in all traffic areas and your shack. another thing, if you can afford, get the GSM enabled models/service. If they cut your line, it'll use cellular service as a backup.
2. (As other have said) CCTV cameras are a good investment, make sure to set them up properly, avoid mixing/matching brands if you can (for the sake of easier troubleshooting). Trying to stay with a hardwired setup is better, interference can really ruin an image as most wireless ones use 2.4ghz. Use 'bullet' cams for outdoor applications (if possible) and 'dome' cams for interior applications. Dome cameras offer easier adjustment for indoor use. Bullet cameras tend withstand vandalism (physical hits, spray paint) better and most have a hood that you can adjust for outdoor lighting conditions.
3. Secure your windows! Use some bars that you can bolt/screw into your window sills to prevent intruders from forcing their way in.
4. Some people seem to have forgotten this... a good quality lock. A good lock can make the difference because 'bump keys' are becoming a more common tool that criminals use to open peoples' locks without having to pick them. So make sure that you have a good lock that's resistant to this (Schlage, Weiser) otherwise, they can get in without leaving signs of forced entry.
Just some tips to chew on...
1. (As others have said) Invest in a *good* security system from a known brand (Visonic, Ademco, Honeywell, DSC, GE, 2GIG <- Relatively new and works great, have it myself) and reliable service provider. If you do DIY it, make sure to install things according to the manual and not winging it. Otherwise, you'll be getting a ton alerts for trouble or false alarms. Also, ensure that you have a motion sensor in all traffic areas and your shack. another thing, if you can afford, get the GSM enabled models/service. If they cut your line, it'll use cellular service as a backup.
2. (As other have said) CCTV cameras are a good investment, make sure to set them up properly, avoid mixing/matching brands if you can (for the sake of easier troubleshooting). Trying to stay with a hardwired setup is better, interference can really ruin an image as most wireless ones use 2.4ghz. Use 'bullet' cams for outdoor applications (if possible) and 'dome' cams for interior applications. Dome cameras offer easier adjustment for indoor use. Bullet cameras tend withstand vandalism (physical hits, spray paint) better and most have a hood that you can adjust for outdoor lighting conditions.
3. Secure your windows! Use some bars that you can bolt/screw into your window sills to prevent intruders from forcing their way in.
4. Some people seem to have forgotten this... a good quality lock. A good lock can make the difference because 'bump keys' are becoming a more common tool that criminals use to open peoples' locks without having to pick them. So make sure that you have a good lock that's resistant to this (Schlage, Weiser) otherwise, they can get in without leaving signs of forced entry.
Just some tips to chew on...
fourthhorseman
Member
toastycookies
Member
fourthhorseman
Member
Man...Thats just spooky..
Put that guy outside your house and who needs ADT...
Put that guy outside your house and who needs ADT...
902
Member
LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
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