I mean, this is usually used to allow the police to chase people running away or driving through other peoples property or someone with a gun retreating into their house, people banging on windows or something like a drug dealer running into a bathroom with a bag of cocaine or whatever.. its not really relevant IMO. Those are common sense things that would make things ultra easy for criminals (well people with diplomatic immunity leaping over embassy walls running from cops still have this kind of 'privilege'). It's basically saying that your house is not a embassy or foreign border.
bd139 - you have a license for life now, can you even ditch it?
Expires every 5 years unless you notify Ofcom now. Think it came in with the M-prefixes. Just going to let it burn.Not sure you can ever really get rid of it, you can surrender the callsign but all it really takes is an email to OFCOM to reactivate it (colleague has done just that).
Watch video -
These are the ones that get me. Raynet wankers:
These are the ones that get me. Raynet wankers:
We've got them over here too. We call them whackers. Their vehicles typically include light bars (and sometimes sirens), stick-on logos, half a dozen (or more) antennas, etc. The drivers of these "mobile command posts" often wear uniforms, have assigned ranks, and try to look as much like real emergency responders as possible (despite having no official affiliation with any of them).
These are the ones that get me. Raynet wankers:
We've got them over here too. We call them whackers. Their vehicles typically include light bars (and sometimes sirens), stick-on logos, half a dozen (or more) antennas, etc. The drivers of these "mobile command posts" often wear uniforms, have assigned ranks, and try to look as much like real emergency responders as possible (despite having no official affiliation with any of them).
If you make it to the UK, pay a visit to Bletchley park, it's really interesting but while you're there, drop into the RSGB "National Radio Centre" for a giggle, last time I was there they were wearing these:
https://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/jumpers/royal-navy-pullover-grade-1-1123618.html
Complete with shoulder flashes to denote 'position'.
Another similar thing popular over here are the so-called storm chasers. They usually drive an SUV festooned with weather vanes, light bars, antennas, video equipment, and similar stuff, and go chasing after tornados and other extreme weather, making nuisances of themselves and getting in the way. I'm not talking about the real storm chasers, who are usually affiliated with universities and/or government organizations, but rather the clueless amateur types.
Yeah but that would make them feel less important. I suspect a lot of them were rejected by the police or have some weird fantasy thing going on.
Yeah but that would make them feel less important. I suspect a lot of them were rejected by the police or have some weird fantasy thing going on.
Oh definitely, I *think* this guy is someone I knew years ago, he wanted to be an ambulance driver and failed several times.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/apr/28/8
Yeah but that would make them feel less important. I suspect a lot of them were rejected by the police or have some weird fantasy thing going on.
Oh definitely, I *think* this guy is someone I knew years ago, he wanted to be an ambulance driver and failed several times.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/apr/28/8
It wouldn’t surprise me. There used to be a guy I knew who was into CB that was like it as well. Told everyone he was the only person to have worked for all three emergency services. Turned out he was the only person to be rejected for all of them
I kinda hate to think there may be more than one of them but that guy was into CB as well, you didn't grow up in Manchester did you?
Wouldn't you have to be actually doing something illegal with a radio transmitter to have that happen?
Also, I'm somebody who notices and remembers when people say really stupid or evil things, and I also spend a fair amount of time listening in the background to the HF and 70 cm bands.
a reasonable amature I think would put a banner up on the car in the car windows and have a fold out sign like a pizzeria not a dedicated radio car
I mean its kinda cool to think that someone can setup a radio vehicle but it really looks like a goverment thing, it is extremely unchill
All that paranoia about an Evil Government is rather silly, frankly.
Why do you need a ham license? Well, it makes sense because a poorly operated station can do harm to essential services. Also, at least in Spain, we can be legally required to assist in emergencies. After all the privileges as amateur radio operators have a price Not that I have a problem, I was a volunteer at the local Red Cross of Sea base and, guess what? Upon saying "I am a ham" I was put in charge of communications.
So, mandatory inspections. I don't know about other countries, but in mine you certainly authorize the telecommunication authorities to inspect your equipment. Which means they can, well, inspect it. Ask me to turn it on, maybe measure it for spurious emissions or, of course, illegal power levels.
But, guess what? The telecommunication authorities don't care about us since many years ago because troublemaker illegal CB amplifiers are a thing of the past. And profanity on radio, although it shouldn't be done, is a non issue for them. This is not USA, where a stray tit shown on TV can mean a change of government!
So, telecommunication authorities and hams? We don't cause troubles, mostly they have to investigate interference suffered by us rather than problems caused by us.
Carry on and enjoy the brand new solar cycle. Besides, ham radio will be full of crazy old guys if the younger wise ones just abandon ship.
If we want to see the best use made of the resource we would be smart to make it easier to invent new ways to use it for the benefit of all.
And not just commercially. They should think about the educational value of ham radio, and try to make it easier for people to get on the air and comply with all relevant laws, maybe even having FCC resources like a lab open where people could bring in equipment (homebrew or kits especially) to have it tested to ensure its not emitting spurious emissions a couple days out of the month for free.
If we want to see the best use made of the resource we would be smart to make it easier to invent new ways to use it for the benefit of all.
And not just commercially. They should think about the educational value of ham radio, and try to make it easier for people to get on the air and comply with all relevant laws, maybe even having FCC resources like a lab open where people could bring in equipment (homebrew or kits especially) to have it tested to ensure its not emitting spurious emissions a couple days out of the month for free.
We have to realize that the sciences bring a lot to the table in helping everybody, young and old, not only stay sane in these difficult times, also they offer global communities that are pushing us forward in ways we didn't have before. And building self esteem.