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[Written by Jay Langley, N4NRL]
Washington DC: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves to revoke frequencies used exclusively by amateur radio operators for over one hundred years. In a move today that some said was coming for years Federal Communications Director Unammit announced that his commission has voted to reallocate frequencies that have been the domain of amateur operators for over hundred years.
When asked why make this move? Director Unammit said that “ham radio is just a hobby” and that “it has been declining for years” sighting study numbers of operators reflecting the fact that hams are passing due to old age. “Hams,” he said, “have been dying off at a high rate in recent years and it is time to move on.” He went on to indicate that the Internet and cell phones capable of talking around the world had take the place of radio. He went on to say that the presents of text messaging was actually better than Morse Code used by only older hams. He also noted that there was no need to maintain the spectrum just so Hams could pass the time of day.
Hams across the nation will soon receive official notification in the mail from the FCC providing notice that they will have only until the end of the year to cease operations and that then the frequencies will become public domain. He announced that the FCC will accept bids and RFPs for access to the spectrum to be granted to commercial organizations. “Amateur Radio is a dinosaur.” Director Unammit said in closing his press conference today.
Hams across the nation are expected to resist this move but with numbers of licensed hams so low it is unlikely that their objections will have much effect. »
FCC Head: ‘Amateur Radio Is a Dinosaur’
How would you feel if this headline, or one like it, hit our paper? Now is the time to get busy and help interested young people and new adults learn about Amateur Radio.
On October 18th 2008 the Boy Scouts in our area are having a Radio Merit badge training day. It is hoped that the scouting merit badge day will lead to boys earning their Ham ticket. This local event will be held at Macintosh Reserve just outside Whitesburg, GA on the weekend of Jamboree On The Air. The annual event is supported by the ARRL and Boy Scouts of America.
You and other licensed Hams are needed to teach classes and operate radio stations for over two hundred boys and even more scouting adults. The event known as Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) weekend is held so hams all over the world can work together promoting radio and introducing radio to youth.
Please help support this effort for our youth by contacting Jay Langley, N4NRL at or and volunteering to help teach these youth. Talk with a friend and come as a team.
If you would like to show how hams provide communications without the need for a cell phone now is the time. Further in support at every opportunity take the time to talk about this JOTA on the air with other hams. Please plan to be part of the solution and let’s get a new crop of boys and adults interested in radio. This is a once a year opportunity and if hams don’t step up and participate we may not have another opportunity like this for years, if ever.
Learn more about Jamboree on the Air at the ARRL website. Let’s keep that fake news article fake.
73,
Jay
N4NRL
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