From: gaulandm@tekig7.PEN.TEK.COM (Mike Gauland)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.policy
Subject: Re: Truckers, Pizza, Policy - an idea.
Date: 31 Jul 92 18:43:37 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, OR

In article <1992Jul31.144515.3405@gvl.unisys.com> rossi@gvlf9-q.gvl.unisys.com (Pete Rossi) writes:
>The way I see it, business use of ham radio is presently is like a 
>closed door.  It is 100% closed.  Not permitted, Period.  The question is,
>should the door remain closed (and locked) or should it be opened a little?
>
>There are some who would like to see the door opened just a small crack.
>It sounds good in theory, but many (me included) are concerned that once
>the door is opened a little, abuses, loopholes, etc., will blow the door
>right off the hinges and ruin it for everyone.

I'm not sure I want to see the door opened, but I'd like the rules clarified a
bit about what constitutes business communications, and what constitutes an
emergency.  Every ham has a different standard, and they vary quite a bit.
While one ham considers it perfectly legal to use the autopatch to order a
bottle of aspirin from the pharmacy because he has a headache, others would
shut down the repeater on someone calling 911 to report a robbery ("Your
life really isn't in danger as long as the bullet is just sitting there in
the gun", they might argue.  "Try again when you're really in trouble.  Until
then, let's just use the repeater for its true purpose.  Have I told you about
my kidney operation?...").  

Business communications are an equally controversial area.  I feel the literal
interpretation of the rules is too strict, and have violated the letter of the
law during public service events.  For example, I once worked the Special
Olympics.  The event was held at three different sites, and hams were used for
communicating between them.  While the call I made for ice when someone had
a nosebleed was clearly (to me) allowed (though I concede it was probably not
life-threatening), the scores we passed, and other messages relating to the
event were probably not.  Holding such events are clearly the normal business
of the Special Olympics.  On the other hand, they are non-profit, and this was
a once-a-year event.  Should such activities be allowed?   I think they must
be, if amateur radio is to be of any use at such events.  It is important,
however, to make a distinction between occassional, though regular, events
such as the Special Olympics, and more regular events, such as Red Cross
blood drives.  It is also important to distinguish between for-profit events,
and non-profit events.

Another tricky area comes into casual conversation.  If someone asks how to 
use a Tektronix oscilloscope on the air, and I help out, am I in violation
because I work for Tek?  What if I worked somewhere else?--the benefit to
Tek would be the same.  We can even go to extremes, and say that any mention
of any brand name serves as advertising.  Even if we say how lousy our XYZ
rig is, we may be steering business to another company.


As for me, I'll just keep using common sense.  It's kept me out of trouble
so far.

--mag


-- 
Michael A. Gauland	gaulandm@tekig7.PEN.TEK.COM  
AA7JF			(503) 627-5067
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.policy