John Beckman - W4BTX HAM RADIO "A PAST TIME FOR A LIFETIME"
It's not enough that we have Big Brother watching us from every government agency watching us all the time, the ARRL has replaced the old "Official Observer: program with a new watchdog. The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service. The FCC delayed action on the renewal application of a General-class licensee in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, in order to review allegations of repeated transmission of obscenities and failure to properly identify.
The Volunteer Monitor Coordinator issued 14 Advisory Notices. An Advisory Notice is an attempt to resolve rule violation issues informally before FCC intervention:This is how it works:
An Advisory Notice was sent to the owner of a remote amateur station in California, advising him that he is responsible for deliberate interference transmitted by any station over his remote facility.
An Advisory Notice was sent to a radio amateur in Ripley, Tennessee, regarding deliberate interference and failure to properly identify on 75 meters.
An Advisory Notice was sent to a radio amateur in Jefferson, Georgia, regarding failure to properly identify on 40 meters.
Advisory Notices were sent to radio amateurs in Tiburon, Petaluma, and Manteca, California, and Grants Pass, Oregon, concerning interference on 75 meters.
General Advisories were sent to operators in West Virginia, Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin concerning operation on 7.200, 3.927, and 3.860 MHz.
A Good Operator Commendation was sent to a husband-and-wife team in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, recognizing excellent net and 2-meter operations.
IVM representatives had two meetings with FCC officials. -- Thanks to Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Volunteer Monitor Program Administrator
I don't see much difference in this new form of censorship than the old ARRL Official Observer program worked. I did get a notice from an OO once. I remember opening the mailbox and seeing it and I thought "Damn! What have I done wrong now?" But when I opened it the OO had actually commended me for a simple and almost automatic procedure of mine. On 20 meter PSK-32 I have transmitted, "Is this freq in use?" and paused. When heard no response I then transmitted my :CQ, CQ etc. The OO thought that was proper and commended me for what I had always thought was just good ham practice.
I am against any form of being "monitored" and I am against this new bullshit from ARRL. Ham radio is supposed to police itself and , in general, I think it does a good job of it. If someone REALLY intentionally breaks the rules it's up to the FCC to handle it.
73 from John, W4BTX, until next week. Take care, and stay safe.