🚀 go-pugleaf

If I am not mistaken the FCC has delegated authority to declare
"communication emergencies" to local emergency management officials.
The local RACES annouces that they have activated their Net ". . .at
the request of (insert appropriate em agency). . ."

One wonders why there is such a desire to avoid attending Skywarn
training and joining RACES.  It would appear that such an act would
1)indicate that a person wanted to know more about what they are
reporting and 2)take some minimum steps to join a very worthwhile
organization.

Kevin Heyboer <kheyboer@pinegov.co.pinellas.fl.us> wrote:

>I think you missed the point of my message Brad...

>The FCC regulation on RACES stations communicating with non-RACES
>stations ONLY APPLIES DURING AN FCC DECLARED COMMUNICATIONS EMERGENCY.

>Secondly, the FCC stopped issuing RACES callsigns years ago.  Our EOC has
>the radio officer's callsign on its repeater.

>Thirdly, the Memorandum of Understanding for Skywarn operations and ham
>radio is between the ARRL and the NWS.  ARES is part of the ARRL, and as
>such, can act as an umbrella organization for Skywarn.

>HOWEVER, it is the NWS who decides who is and who is not a Skywarn
>Spotter, and many Skwyarn units operate under their own local club or
>organization...some of which are registered as not-for-profit
>organizations at the state level, thus allowing them to collect
>charitable solications to purchase equipment without violating FCC regs
>on getting paid for it.

>The bottom line is...whoever is running around and saying you can't be in
>Skywarn because your not a member of RACES and I can't talk to you is
>full of that icky brown stuff...and should have part 97 shoved under his
>nose so he can read it.

>PS...we accept reports from any ham that calls in, whether trained as a
>spotter or not...we try to get confirmation from a trained spotter when
>we can...but if someone calls in that his roof just blew off his
>house....I think I am gonna take him at his word unless he has previously
>been proven to be erronious.

>Nuff said,

>de Kevin KD4UYR
>Pinellas County, Florida
>Skywarn Coordinator