Budget cuts hitting the volunteers at the local WFOs

[rdale]

Many of the forecasters and employees at any given WFO are hams themselves and I would suspect that they would/could step in when/where needed.

Unfortunately that's against the latest FCC rules. They can lose their license for doing that, as you are not allowed to participate in an ham radio net if you're on the clock for that organization. Unless something changed, but I never heard that yet.

 

[Keith Hosman]

Unfortunately that's against the latest FCC rules. They can lose their license for doing that, as you are not allowed to participate in an ham radio net if you're on the clock for that organization. Unless something changed, but I never heard that yet.

The last I saw, there was some clarification that allowed them to operate amateur radios under very specific situations, I can't recall the exact wording of the ruling but I think it was limited to drills/exercises. I think they are taking the ruling too far. I understand why a news reporter who is working for a "for profit" agency can not use amateur radio to ask questions for a news story, and I can understand why a local radio sales shop can not use amateur radio to promote sales. But for those involved in public safety while they are paid, there is no "pecuniary interest" in my point of view. The NWS as an organization is not using amateur radio to make money, neither is a EMA office. I think the definition of pecuinary interest in those situations needs to be more broadly defined so they can better serve the public.

Found the text of the rule

97.113 Prohibited transmissions.
(a) * * *

(3) Communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including
communications on behalf of an employer, with the following exceptions:

(i) A station licensee or control station operator may participate on behalf of an employer in an
emergency preparedness or disaster readiness test or drill, limited to the duration and scope of such test or
drill, and operational testing immediately prior to such test or drill. Tests or drills that are not
government-sponsored are limited to a total time of one hour per week; except that no more than twice in
any calendar year, they may be conducted for a period not to exceed 72 hours.

 

[Keith Hosman]

Here is a quote from the Report and Order that explain the rationale for the FCC's decision:

"The Commission’s rules expressly permit operation of amateur stations for public service communications during emergencies, and on a voluntary basis during drills and exercises in preparation for such emergencies. Given, however, that the Amateur Radio Service is primarily designated for 'amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest,' the rules expressly prohibit amateur stations from transmitting communications 'in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer.' Accordingly, public safety and public health entities seeking to have employees operate amateur stations during government-sponsored emergency preparedness and disaster drills presently must request a waiver."

Now if you look in the FCC rules they define the word Emergency/disaster as anything that could cost the loss or possible loss of life and/or property.

*bold/italics by me*

 

[rdale]

Thanks, that should be okay then. Well - let me rephrase - any ham reporting a NWS met in violation needs to be TIVed

 

[Brian Davidson]

How much does it cost for a volunteer HAM to use a radio for a few hours? Its not like HAM radios are power hungry.

 

[rdale]

How much does it cost for a volunteer HAM to use a radio for a few hours?

I don't think you understood my response... The office is technically "closed." Since the mets are "life safety critical" they are allowed in the door, but the office is still technically closed. It's not a factor of power usage or anything like that. The office is closed, so the hams can't get in. That's just the way a shutdown works. Same reason the national parks will be closed. Yellowstone will still blow every hour, but you can't go see it.

 

[Keith Hosman]

I don't think you understood my response... The office is technically "closed." Since the mets are "life safety critical" they are allowed in the door, but the office is still technically closed. It's not a factor of power usage or anything like that. The office is closed, so the hams can't get in. That's just the way a shutdown works. Same reason the national parks will be closed. Yellowstone will still blow every hour, but you can't go see it.

Yep. we had a webinar/conference call with IWX this morning regarding the weather Sunday. At the end of the briefing the head of the IWX office came on with some comments regarding what would happen if there was a government shut down. Basically he dais that if the shutdowen occoured, nobody but NOAA/NWS staff would be allowed into the building.

 

[Brian Davidson]

Yep. we had a webinar/conference call with IWX this morning regarding the weather Sunday. At the end of the briefing the head of the IWX office came on with some comments regarding what would happen if there was a government shut down. Basically he dais that if the shutdowen occoured, nobody but NOAA/NWS staff would be allowed into the building.

I still think HAM radio operators are a critical part of keeping the public safe. If chasers see a tornado that Doppler can't, there will be a loss of life.

 

[rdale]

I still think HAM radio operators are a critical part of keeping the public safe.

Absolutely, Skywarn nets are not being shut down.

If chasers see a tornado that Doppler can't, there will be a loss of life.

Not sure what that means... Chasers and spotters can still get their reports to the NWS with SpotterNetwork, NWSChat, and every other resource available.

 

[Tim Shriver]

This will affect many things if the folks in Washington don't find a way to pay the bills.

Damage surveys for anything less the EF2 will not happen. (makes more work for our DAT)
No packages or deliveries in to the WFO.
Canceled spotter classes.
You can knock but no one will answer.

I still hold out hope that the fore-mentioned "folks" can get it together and keep things running yet tonight.
Either buy a 3 day short budget or by extending the deadline.
I think the political heat would be more then they wish to have...Gee, they still get paid budget or no budget.

Tim

 

[Jason Foster]

Another temp. measure seems to be approved.