California Officials declare Ham Radio no longer a benefit

Homesteading & Country Living Forum

Help Support Homesteading & Country Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Sentry18

Thrivalist
Neighbor
HCL Supporter
Joined
Nov 26, 2017
Messages
19,105
Location
US of A
Well of course they did. It's California.


https://offgridsurvival.com/california-officials-declare-ham-radio-no-longer-a-benefit/

California Officials declare Ham Radio no longer a benefit; Demands Ham radio repeater infrastructure to be Removed

October 10, 2019


hamradio-678x356.jpg

The People’s Republic of California is at it again; through unelected state officials, California is severing ties to ham radio repeater owners throughout the state, jeopardizing the lives of millions of Californians who depend on these repeaters to operate during emergencies.


Last month, repeater operators were sent emails telling them the State would no longer allow them to operate repeaters on public land without paying substantial rental fees. In the letter sent by CAL FIRE, the state claims Ham operators no longer provide a benefit to the state or public safety. They claimed that “constantly changing technological advances” has made Ham radio obsolete during an emergency.

Keep in mind; this is a state that is currently shutting power down in 34 of its counties because its infrastructure cannot handle 20-30 mph winds without risking wildfire breakouts throughout the state.

What is a Ham Radio Repeater
An amateur radio repeater system is a two-way radio system that takes weaker or low-level amateur radio signals and retransmits them at a higher level or higher power so that the radio signal can cover longer distances without degradation. It is a vital part of the local emergency communications system, and Ham Radio operators have been using them for decades to provide support during disasters that take out local communication infrastructure.

Why would they remove something that is the last line of defense during a disaster?
What is infuriating here is people are going to die because of this decision. It costs the State of California nothing to allow these repeaters on public land; in fact, Ham Radio Operators pay for the equipment and maintain the equipment at their own cost. Ham Radio operators also make nothing from running these radio repeaters; they do so as a service to the public to help ensure the public’s safety during natural disasters and emergencies.


Here is a good explanation of what’s going on from a Ham Radio operator in California
While paying billions of dollars a year to cater to illegal immigrants and welfare bums, California is now targeting hard-working Ham operators who provide critical and vital Disaster Emergency Communications. These people have absolutely lost their minds!

There is a nationwide effort to Kill Ham Radio
offgridhamradio.jpg

Even most Hams haven’t taken notice, but in 2012 the federal government launched FirstNet, a public safety nationwide broadband network that many in the government think will make Ham radio operators obsolete. In reality, its nothing more than a $47 Billion Federal Cell Phone Network that itself is already obsolete. In fact, it needs LOTS of infrastructure to function, and it creates multiple, single points of failure.

The real story here is Ham Radio is a threat to the government. We make them look stupid! They spend billions on infrastructure that breaks down, while we can literally take a hundred bucks in equipment, some random wires, and in minutes set up a radio system that can communicate with anyone in the world. Hell, I’ve used my kid’s slinky, some Television Coax Cable, and a solar battery system to build a mobile rig that I’ve used to talk to people around the world — You can check out the Radio Rig Here.

They don’t want the public to realize that we can take care of ourselves, and do a much better and cheaper job doing so!
 
Ham radio is not, by its very nature, compatible with all-encompassing government. The Internet can be constrained and controlled - witness China. Ham radio can only be free - or maybe blocked by interference(?). It can't be a Government Organ.

With all those satellites sailing around up there, a ham station might be difficult or impossible to conceal. Even making it mobile and physically concealable might be impossible, I dunno. Freedom seems to get more difficult all the time.
 
The the email says repeater owners must pay $2500 per application to cover analysis as well as between $3000 to $5000 per year. That's a pretty hefty colo fee when you consider equipment, power and maintenance are already paid for by the repeater owner. Hopefully, these repeaters can be set up on private land without interruption of services.

It would be interesting to know if CA allows commercial use of public land/infrastructure. Does Verizon pay a fee to use water towers to establish good cell phone coverage? If so, at least they're being consistent. If not, there's a lawsuit in there somewhere.
 
I know nothing about California but in the three closest states I know cell providers lease the area they put antennas on. If it is on a building they pay for the square footage and access. For free standing towers they lease the land and right of way.
 
How many times can those lefties shoot themselves in the foot before it becomes painful?
 
I'm sure that they want the cash but I suspect they also want control. A communication system outside the control of government weakens their control when they decide to take over all news and communication. I perceive this as an early step to prepare for 1984.
 
Back
Top