Martin:

I would like to say HAM has a place in emergencies, but I have seen things lately to the contrary.

One of our biggest problems here is the local Chief of Police who steadfastly believes the HAM club here is a bunch of Johnny do Gooders! Never mind the fact one of his very own (a Sgt.) officers is the club president.

A lot of HAMS in this "RACES" group consistently show up in a pair of old sweatpants and a white t-shirt with a radio microphone (AKA lapel mic) clipped to the neck collar. These folks want to be taken seriously, but their attitude and demeanor suggest otherwise. Ask yourself this question?

Would you want someone dressed like this in your EOC? Most of the HAMS I know are decent people, but they act and dress the complete opposite.

I too carry a small ICOM 2M/70cm radio (IC 24-AT) HT radio with me while ?on-duty? with the ambulance. Sometimes, I feel like I am carrying dead weight as well, but I keep doing it in case it is needed and it really doesn?t weigh that much hiding out in my briefcase. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Take care,

Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared