In a message dated 3/28/2005 8:05:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,
ve3ii@zing-net.ca writes:
Moving the net to 17 meters, or any other frequency, is not an
option. This would create a totally unacceptable and dangerous
situation that would place lives in jeopardy. Unlike contesting,
what we do on 14.300 is serious, life and death work. We don't
collect points, we don't go for the rare ones, we save lives.
Tom--
I have one suggestion for you. Can you (or someone on the 14300 team) put
together for me some "real life" stories on how lives have actually been saved
on 14300? I'm also interested in hearing about "real life" situations where
life and welfare was tangibly compromised during a contest. I'm willing to
publish this (or at least an abridged version pending space considerations) in
my
CQ contest column to raise the attention level to this cause by using the
facts.
While the vast majority of contest operators don't possess malicious intent
when bumping into a 14300 situation, it unfortunately occurs with most major
contests. That said, it's probably a fair statement that many contesters and
20M users alike have a view of 14300 operation that is not a positive one.
Frankly, that *impression* is one of bumbling control operators and low-value
traffic exchange.
As you know, there is no amateur frequency that is owned by any group, so
entering the Contest world with that presumption as well as devaluing contest
work with this group is very bad PR, whether it be true or not. In my humble
opinion, the use of amateur spectrum for emergency marine communications
should be a last resort at best -- contests or no contests. That's why they
invented marine radio and in more recent years satellite communications.
The bottom line is, "Help me help you change the perception." I can give you
the forum; the ball's in your court.
73 John, K1AR
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|