14 Minutes 59 Seconds
The Emcomm debate lives on at the 'zed with this article entitled "READ THE ARTICAL BY WB6NOA IN CQ PAGE 46". It's apparently a pro-Emcomm (and spelling challenged) article, but in this debate I've honestly been disappointed in both sides. ARRL to a large extent created this Emcomm monster and now they're trying to put it back in its cage. The FCC can't seem to send a consistent message and has made some unreasonable interpretations of the rules, like the "you can't do any Emcomm for your employer even if you're off the clock" message. Rational voices with valid points about the questionable usefulness of amateur radio Emcomm in today's world get drowned out by the anti-Emcomm crowd that merely opposes all Emcomm for the sake of opposing it or because it's another way to get a dig in on ARRL.
Anthony Good, K3NG, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Pennsylvania, USA. Contact him at [email protected].The Emcomm debate has had its 14 minutes and 59 seconds of fame. It's time to move on. FCC, who cares if someone makes a few bucks while eating donuts and talking on the radio? If someone wants to blow their savings on a Dodge Colt Emcomm mobile, let's laugh at it and move on. Let's acknowledge that there is a place for some Emcomm in amateur radio, but it's not the only or the prime reason for amateur radio today.