Could they possibly do it on 20 m so that we can listen in the rest of the world? /s
Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
51–60 of 312 posts
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#52I can already hear the cries of censorship. "What do you mean crimes aren't protected speech?"
There is reason to worry when the tools of defiance or rebellion are taken away. Rebellion is bad, but maitaining some remote possibility is good.
This case isn't really so bad because there's no prior restraint, no tools being taken away, or new tools for the government.
There is still concern that charges could be heaped on someone to the point they feel the need to plea bargain for something that is either a very minor offense or protected speech.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#53Would a group call on WhatsApp/Signal be regarded as radio usage. When working over 4G/5G?.
If you remember the old Nextel push to talk radios there are plenty of push to talk apps for cellphones that simulate the same functionality. PTT apps are much better suited to group communication than an open conference line where people will constantly talk over each other and background noise is rampant.
When I used to play Ingress we'd use Zello with separate channels for each team and a few more for area coordinators. If you really want to get fancy you can get push-to-talk earbuds that connect to your cellphone's headphone jack, assuming you have an old enough cellphone that is.
Not that anything I'm saying should be construed as advice for people who want to go commit crimes. Frankly I think the best plan is for everyone to stay at home rather than potentially catching Covid and 5-10 years to boot.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#54Would a group call on WhatsApp/Signal be regarded as radio usage. When working over 4G/5G?.
A WhatsApp or Signal group call on 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz wifi could be regarded as (illegal encrypted) radio usage depending on whether the "radio" is transmitting as a Part 15 device or a part 97 device.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#55Baofeng's, Baofengs everywhere. Of all the images I have seen of the attempted coup, I have only seen baofeng radios. These are very cheap ($20'ish) radios that work very poorly (they splatter all over the bands) even when equipped with decent antennas. They barely work when equipped with the stock rubber-duck antennas. It's easy to be a snob about the type of radios that they are using, but that's not even the point…
100% agree with this comment.
Why the warning from the FCC, who knows. I was always told ignorance of the law is no excuse.
It must be cheaper to issue a warning rather than expend resources to prosecute the people involved.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#56Baofeng's, Baofengs everywhere. Of all the images I have seen of the attempted coup, I have only seen baofeng radios. These are very cheap ($20'ish) radios that work very poorly (they splatter all over the bands) even when equipped with decent antennas. They barely work when equipped with the stock rubber-duck antennas. It's easy to be a snob about the type of radios that they are using, but that's not even the point…
As a pinch of salt... If you can get a baofeng to last out of the box longer than a week, and manage to DX a handheld or a repeater further than a parking space away, you should at least win a QRP award and a discount on your technicians test before you get sent to the klink.
I've been using my Baofeng for a couple of years now and have no problem working many repeaters here in the Triangle (NC) area. YMMV.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#57Don't use... well anything, in crimes. Duh.
Interesting law. I'm not sure about driving laws, but I would assume if you robbed a bank and drove away, there's no extra clause that says this usage your driving license is illegal?
If you cross state lines, you escalate the situation, allowing the Feds to step in.
There are other ways to do this of course, but driving is the one you can control the most.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#58Meanwhile, over on the amateur radio boards, the old dudes are saying this is all a conspiracy theory to take hams off the air, in preparation for... something. Something nefarious the Biden administration is planning.
And they wonder why the kids aren't going into amateur radio.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#59“messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.”
The language is troubling, but the laws on the books in US are already ridiculously broad and overbearing. Usually, the question is more along the lines of what stick you want to use. Just in case you never had a chance, "Three felonies a day" gives will give you an idea where US is now.
Re: Radio users reminded not to use radios in crimes
#60Were those who used ham bands while storming capitol even licensed? Right message, but maybe addressed to the wrong audience.
I’ll bet most of these people use Baofengs purchased on Amazon. It’d be great if Amazon could echo this warning on the relevant product page(s).