Very rude skywarn guy

[Ensnared]

Why would the dispatch give you so much trouble? I did not know there was an issue with this group of individuals. During disasters when all cell phones and trunking systems are useless, Ham operators help law enforcement a great deal. That is what I've heard about.

However, in actuality, radio operators can be a very odd bunch of folks, self included. Ham radio is another dimension altogether. From my experiences, I think many Ham operators come from military backgrounds. Hence, I believe they are perfect for following the protocol of Ham operations.

In this area, a Ham operator was talking to me about rolling down IH35 near Waco. He stated that he has contacted LE on several occasions about various speed violations, reckless driving or DUI. He claimed that he has transmitted on VHF police frequencies about the aforementioned situations. This person also stated that he tells the dispatch his identification & purpose for coming onto their precious radio frequencies.

Since, I am semi-retired, I have thought of working with police dispatch. I would imagine that speaking about scanners would be a deal-breaker for landing a job.

What kind of digital SLR do you own?

 

[KB0VWG]

Could be live radar

He had the radar i saw it on the laptop. he had all kinds of gear except no antennas on the vehicle. He had some fancy high end cell phone too.

He could have been sighned up to xm live radar, if he had a xm radio device. That service is not cheap.
Michael
kb0vwg
73s

 

[TrenchFeeder]

He had the radar i saw it on the laptop. he had all kinds of gear except no antennas on the vehicle. He had some fancy high end cell phone too.

Weather radar is a dime a dozen, so many websites and programs you can use.

my preffered radar is NWS radar image loop of Composite Reflectivity from Chicago, IL Its a bit snesitive to clouds but it gets the job done.

Works on my phone as well

In this area, a Ham operator was talking to me about rolling down IH35 near Waco. He stated that he has contacted LE on several occasions about various speed violations, reckless driving or DUI. He claimed that he has transmitted on VHF police frequencies about the aforementioned situations. This person also stated that he tells the dispatch his identification & purpose for coming onto their precious radio frequencies.

Isn't it a felony to broadcast on emergency freqs.? I can't see them being happy about it, they get mad enough when you call 911 for any reason other than you're bleeding out in the street, around me

 

[Ensnared]

Well, in Texas, I don't know what the laws are involving Ham radio operators. However, this man maintains one of the Skywarn Networks in my county & area. I don't know, I will have to check about this if I happen to see him again.

 

[n5ims]

Well, in Texas, I don't know what the laws are involving Ham radio operators. However, this man maintains one of the Skywarn Networks in my county & area. I don't know, I will have to check about this if I happen to see him again.

Ham radio operators can not transmit outside the assigned amateur frequencies (assignments are based on their license class). The only exceptions are below (emergency is quite strictly defined as is the 'when normal communication systems are not available' phrase).

Section 97.403 Safety of life and protection of property. "No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available."

Section 97.405 Station in distress. "(a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance.
(b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section, of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress."

Some hams may be granted use of additional frequencies outside of their ham license limitations (such as MARS), but this use is only for the stated purpose of those activities. Use of police frequencies isn't one of those. That said, the ham in question may be authorized by the police agency in question to use their frequency as part of his EOC role.

 

[Ensnared]

Thanks for that information.