From: tstader@aol.COM
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: *146.52 WB1GOF signs in Massachusetts (long, but good!)
Date: 10 Sep 1992 07:17:19 -0700
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu

>  I have been reading this 146.52 stuff for the past few days 
> and quietly saying to myself: "Geez Macassey, looks like this 
> "Emergency Frequency" stuff might cath on." Amateurs who 
> prattle on about "Emergency Service" actually having a place to 
> do it. A place where a response is assured. I was impressed.

Well I wish it was 100% but I have to admit that I have not been able to get
back to stations looking for assistance... so the "response is assured" idea
is great but not always practical.

But maybe your ideas on an "emergency frequency" might have some merit.
Yes... many of the other services have a frequency they can always call up
help on. Maybe we should look into that... but then most hams would tune and
listen for activity on a frequency, then "break-in" for assistance and that
works too! As long as they can be heard!

What I would like to see is the ARRL Repeater Directory/frequency
coordinators change the wording of 146.52 National Simplex Frequency
designation to what 144.2 is in Single Side Band.... Calling Frequency. You
are pretty quickly reminded that the Calling Frequency is to be used for that
purpose. Make your call and QSY. There are lots of other simplex FM
frequencies if you enjoy that mode vs. the repeaters. Many do and I think it
is great.... people tend to use ONLY the necessary power that is required to
carry on a converstation.

Chances are that more people may actually listen to 146.52 then and then
maybe someone would hear a station looking for help? Because .52 is used as a
chit-chat frequency too many times... and our high location, the weaker
mobile stations cannot capture the receiver. Generally one does not want to
listen to that over and over again... which is why we went to the tone
decoder mode. ONLY those station with a REAL emergency will hold down their
asterisk key for 3 seconds and purposely call WB1GOF!

One of the most frequent misunderstandings of the WB1GOF system is that it is
statewide! Sorry that it isn't but the concept could be. Why can't we get
other clubs around the state to work with their local emergency dispatch
centers (doesn't have to be PD, as long as it is manned 24hrs/day)? Many of
the local clubs (oh no... here it comes) have a local ARES or RACES
organization in place too. Don't they affiliate with a dispatch center and
even have their antennas and rigs located there? Lets turn them on, tone
decode the unit and there you go.

Part of the training that our communities dispatchers get is to learn hamese!
They don't know many of the Q's, but they know some. They also learn some of
our "unique" phonetics... kilowatt vs kilo (or king).

We have calling frequencies that are gentleman's aggreements on each
band/mode... why can't we have one and make it 146.52 for 2-meter FM?


73 for now.... c u on the shortwaves
Terry - KA8SCP/1, America Online Ham Radio Club Host
Internet: tstader@aol.com  _or_  tstader@attmail.com
KA8SCP@WA1PHY.#EMA.MA.USA.NOAM  _or_ 
ka8scp@ka8scp.ampr.org [44.56.4.82]
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.shortwave,sci.astro,sci.geo.meteorology