You were right about SARNET. I spent most of yesterday streaming it on Spotify as Milton approached land, and there was *nothing* on it of value after the State took over, save for some self-important character out of Tallahassee telling everyone else to stay off. Nothing. Why does it even exist? And why would any repeater-owner sign on for that?
Thank you for addressing this.. literally hear same 4 or 5 guys on it half the time testing etc ... sad it is so regulatory ..wonder how many just go back to cb or just phones cause the restrictions...
It's True, during a Hurricane the only thing you will hear is the Radio Nazis Kicking all the Average People off the system and constantly keeping it clear for Emergency Traffic that will never come.
The repeater owners need to take back their repeaters. If it was myself I'd take it out of my equipment. Let the community start their own stuff on social media, find new ways to keep information free to everyone.
Amateur Radio is a public service open to ALL licensed Hams. It is not government owned or controlled by the state. The only exception should be during an actual emergency situation.
I think the State of Floriduh forgot that and they ignore the LAW and the true purpose of Amateur radio! They will only get the point when the majority state filing complaints to the Governors office!
It’s a statewide linked repeater system. This makes perfect sense. What does a road closure in Tampa mean to someone in Pensacola? Nothing. Same goes for a tornado warning. It sounds like you are looking for this to be a local repeater. The big issue is if it is busy with reports that are not relevant to most users, those users will stop listening. Oh and regarding the weather, NOAA WX radio is the resource. We have a linked system in west central Florida where one guy is living out his radio weatherman fantasy. It’s superfluous.
Yea, I listen to the NI4CE... I disagree with you Traffic = Interest = Listeners! More Traffic is better. It interests folks to listen! Keeping it silent is stupid!
I monitor sarnet everyday and hear people chatting all kind of themes with no problem. But in state emergency is reserved for government agencies as backup. Only life threatening emergency can use on state emergency.
I said all that! What people do and what people are allowed to do are two different things. It is the Over reach and power trips that I Take issue with!
they are violating Fl hams ability to use the network for emergency comms Period! their new rules Violate FCC regulations § 97.405 Station in distress. (a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance. (b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section, of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress. and they violate § 97.407 Radio amateur civil emergency service. since it seems they do not indicate they are apart of RACES
"All kerchunks will be reported to the FCC field office" 😂 I'm sure the FCC field office will really appreciate that. They'll run right out and investigate, right? Too funny. I'm sure that won't backfire.
This statement or "Threat" as I call it is stupid! It is so ignorant that I am surprised it made it into this document. Most Hams would know this is stupid and not true. There are more than 300 kerchunks a day, that is a lot of paper! geesh!
In my area, I have had an issue with someone making rude and offensive comments to another licensed operator I have conversations with in between pauses, keying up the repeater and blocking all transmissions, and rebroadcasting music and other things. We also had a GMRS operator attempting to check in on our 2m net one night; he later got his tech and was welcomed on air. I don't have an issue with people using their equipment and my club's resources but be licensed at the very least and don't be a donkey on air. It is not that difficult to get your technician license.
The licensing is stupid, but I agree, at this point you need to be legal! There is a difference between Protected Speech and Directed Harassment. The latter is covered by law!
@@StarShipAdventures I had a question though about the whole takeover by Florida EM. Was SARnet an amateur funded venture statewide and allowed FLEM to use it under ARES or some agreement or was it wholly state infrastructure?
The Microwave connectivity and the towers are owned by the State, but I understand that most of the repeaters are privately owned and hold the call sign of the owner. I have been told it is all owned by the state, but the website does say this: Where does the SARnet equipment come from? Much of the radio equipment is donated while the networking equipment is the property of FDOT. Remember though that all of the repeater trustees whose repeaters are on SARnet are licensed Amateur Radio Operators. The majority of these repeaters (FB2s) are owned and/or maintained by FDOT personnel or contractors that are HAMS. A few repeaters (FB2s) are locally owned, operated and/or maintained by trustees who are not affiliated with FDOT but each of these has a control station (FX1) associated with it, located at an FDOT tower, that is owned by FDOT personnel or contractors.
@@StarShipAdventures I appreciate the information. In light of it, that is not an ideal situation. I personally would never donate my resources to a formal entity without some kind of written MOU. This is highly distasteful and creates a divide between licensed radio operators and FLEM. FLEM could have more volunteer operators than they know what to do with but it appears to be that they want to be big kid on the block and play king of the hill. Nobody wins and whole communities will suffer for it.
Was on SARNet in Cocoa Beach this past April. Weather reports were given regularly. Operators were having short QSO’s, including how their equipment was sounding. My firsthand experience is nothing like this video describes.
@@StarShipAdventures No, I saw that you were talking about new rules, which is why I both dated when I was on and that I was only talking about my own experience. "despite rules in the past there are always the elite few that use it regularly!" Sorry, I'm not sure what you're saying here.
Past Rules did have some restrictions on use, the new rules by the State DEM are Much More Strict. Despite the Past Rules and the Current Rules there are still a handful of Hams that use the system all the time. If you are on the inside you can use it, if your not then stay off.
Most of the SARNet restrictions that fall under a "broadcast nature" are legitimate parts of two-way conversations and ARE NOT PROHIBITED. As far as their definitions of what may be discussed the FDEM would lose in a First Amendment lawsuit. The FDEM would also lose under FCC regulation because part of amateur radio communications is emergency communications when there is eminent threat to life or property. Accidents, major weather events, and fires all pose risk to life and property. A QST is not legally limited to use by ARES, FEMA, FDEM, or the ARRL. You should feel confident to make QST announcements on the SARNet regarding eminent threats to life or property. If FDEM comes after you, prepare to get rich after a lengthy legal battle.
1st Amendment would probably not stand, as they would just claim it is a private repeater system, which you as a user are a guest, and they can make the rules. Which they have. The other argument that would stand is there are other local only repeaters that you would be better serviced using...
Not to mention that the antennas are on Florida DOT microwave towers which are owned by the state. The repeaters and back haul systems are owned and maintained by clubs and a few private individuals.
You mentioned repeaters are privately owned? Repeater owners should disconnect from Tsar- Net and create a new network. Are they getting paid or given gear?
Some have tried and was told that if they leave they would have to remove their equipment...you see, most if not all of these repeaters are on State towers (DOT). Also, Ive been told, that some owners have been supplemented during the install by the State...how much and to what degree I dont know. The bottom line though is this....these are open HAM repeaters on HAM frequencies and we, the HAM community, should be using them ( non interfering) every single day whether "THEY" like it or not....if THEY want to report it to the FCC then let them. THEY will have to prove that we broke FCC rules and regs by operating as licensed HAMS on open HAM repeaters on HAM frequencies.
I wish you would put out factual information. You are purposely misleading people. The only time SARNET is in a controlled net is during a declared state of emergency and during check ins one day a week. During Milton, they were calling out Tornados and warnings. The antennas are placed on Florida DOT towers, while the repeaters and back hail systems are managed by clubs and a few individuals. There is an agreement in place between those parties that allow for the state to activate a controlled net only during the aforementioned times. The rest of the time it is open to anyone and everyone. I was monitoring as part of my job during Milton when a gentleman called out that a tornado had touched down across the street from him. He was able to give his location before coms were lost. Fire/Rescue was dispatched to his location. I hope the guy is okay. The point I am trying to make is that is seems as if you want to be able to carry on a rag chew session during a hurricane instead of a controlled net be put in place so that the State and local EOC's can communicate with the emergency shelters and quite possibly the E911 call centers in the event of failure of the native systems during an emergency. Anyone who doubts me can lookup the information on the SARNET website, can call Florida DOT or ask any of the local ham operators that staff the shelters or the local EOC's. Also, a SARNet repeater could be down for a myriad of reasons including inappropriate usage. If the repeater is found to be down, call FDOT and let them know. It could be that it was taken off air for tower repairs/maintenance, they my not know it is down, or if someone was cussing up a blue streak and they knew it was coming from a specific area, they can shut it down temporarily. Guy just needs to be honest.
@eyewetoddid glad you think that both you and he are correct. I hope you do just a little bit of research. I promise it won't take very long. Maybe you should go volunteer at your local EOC, it might open your eyes to a few of the things that you know better than I. I know that I am a new HAM, but I have been around coms for a little while. 73 to you as well.
Its a partnership between the repeater owners and the state, because obviously the states providing the microwave equipment to connect them together, many of the rules really are not that different than what the FCC rules are. I can see both sides . as the state is asking for people to be mindful of the equipment and the use of the equipment wear and tear and things of that sort because I used it too much then when we need it, he may not be available right that's a possibility. I also understand as an amateur radio operator would like to toy around with our equipment and like to push the envelope a little bit as to what we canning can't do with our equipment and part of the coolest thing about amateur radio is talking about our hobbies with other amateurs, and Rag chewing is very much a part of that. With all the other options out there today we can use wires X, fusion ,DMR ,Echolonk, and d-star for everyday talking, but when the systems are down and nodes/ networks are not working SARNET will work, so I guess their Idea is to save it for when we need it.
State wide system. Two or three people can tie up the system ? Sounds like a bad idea. Repeaters are for talking about your old surgeries and prostate problems. Or at least around here that’s what they do. Local emergencies are for 911, not a net unless you have no other communication.
12:04 I remember when this happened I was actually the radio operator that relayed the information to the State Emergency Operation Center. It was Brevard County that lost all of its power to the emergency operation center and they were able to get a message to us so we (WJ4EOC) were able to relay it to the SCOC through the Jacksonville Emergency Operation Center. Matthew was wild, but even then the state was trying to control the system even to the point where they would constantly announce that it’s in use and that people needed to get off of it.
Bottom Line It can Still be a Tertiary Backup for the State Governments contact with County EOCs and be left open for Brief Communications between Hams and Severe Weather Reports.
@@StarShipAdventures totally agree with you. There are other systems that most hams are not aware of like the EMnet, NAWAS, and other satellite communication options That work as a Tertiary, not withholding, traditional communication methods, such as HF nets and Traditional means of Phone or VoIP Comms….. But yea it should not be restricted to only people of power. Regardless, Mark my words, If my cell doesn’t work and there are no other means of communication and I or my family needs help and I can reach the SEOC via SARNet and have them use NAWAS or EMNet to relay traffic to Jacksonville resources I will do so without hesitation regardless of NET Con being restrictive!
When did these new rules take effect? I visited the official SARNET website, and it seemingly hasn't been updated in quite a while. The type of traffic I hear these days seems to be the same as it has always been.
It took effect January 1, 2024. sarnetfl.org/uploads/6/1/7/0/61701057/fdem_sarnet_policy_2024_final.pdf They are actively running folks off SARNet this morning. Ridiculous!
Who is registered to those repeaters ? if it is not state Ham License I would pull the repeater off SARNet . It was not meant to be for business and not legal If the state has this much hate for the Amateur Radio community - Leave them ! They need Amateurs more than they think . Government power is limited to what the people allow .
They don't hate us, they just use us! If I had a Repeater on the system I would pull it. We as Hams need to put up more connected systems that are not subject to the State's Whim.
Apparently the SEOC Watch Office Pissed off the NHC as the NHC was requesting spotters to provide “At Ground” Level reports regarding the storm in North-Central FL during Debby. SEOC said that all Non-Essential Traffic was prohibited and that the EOC’s and Authorized State agencies were the only ones allowed to use the system. Needless to say the NHC Operator simply Ghosted them and refused to acknowledge SEOC once they were deemed non-essential in so many words and since it was explicitly stated that regular hams were “Not Authorized to pass traffic”. It is unfortunate as this is why the system exists today. It being under the Custodianship of the FDEM is not a good choice. The repeaters belong to private sponsors or clubs and not the state. The state through the FDOT Microwave Link system only provides the backbone. I get the usefulness of a NET and NET Control Structure but to deem certain traffic non-essential is simply stupid IMO. You should be able to request to pass traffic from the Net Controller regardless. I certainly this what not what the initial thought were when the system was brought online but it seems it has been commandeered.
I just went to the SARNet website, which states that it is an Amateur Radio Net, thus, FEMA has over-reached their authority, thus valid for legal action ... or even better, grounds for FCC intervention as well ... also sounds like some of the owners of the repeaters need to remove their sites and maybe start over with a new system ...
10:47 being TOLD not allowed to use it versus them shutting it off. And in case of life or death...yeah hurricanes are kind of that. We would think state would know that.
I live in Ohio. The State of Ohio has MARCS a hardened radio system for First Responders and other governmental comms. In my view, ARES and NTS are obsolete in Ohio.. The Ohio National Guard is the best to help mitigate a disaster, leave us grumpy old hams out of it !!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Remember the FARA system that was setup in western Ohio into eastern Indiana and Northwest Kentucky? The locked it down to members only and it slowly disappeared.
I live in Ohio... Virtually no major disasters except a rare tornado and some flooding... I gave -up on ARES and NTS participation after years of waiting for something significant event... I slowly learned that all culminated into an enormous waste-of-time for me and other Hams... The State of Ohio some 10-12 years ago introduced a hardened radio system named M.A.R.C.S. for First Responders and other inter governmental comms; the system works very well.... ARES and NTS are obsolete here in Ohio... Call in the Ohio State National Guard to mitigate a disaster they have good comms, instead of relying on trying to mobilize Ham radio operators !! 😁😁😁😁
I do hope they moved M.A.R.C.S, off of 800 MHZ. I had a friend who was in charge of the MARCS system back in the day and they were running it on 800 and there was a major issue, it DID NOT WORK in southern Ohio. Too many hills blocking the signals into the valleys. That was the reason the OHP used low band statewide. It worked everywhere.
So maybe a stupid question here, but how is it possible that the FDOT moved into a segment of the amateur radio spectrum and declared it essentially off limits to all but those few stations that they’ve deemed as “official”? What right do they have to our federally allocated frequencies?
I mean, why is FDOT on the 70cm ham segment at all? Isn’t this government encroachment on our frequencies? FDOT is very well funded so their presence on 70cm doesn’t make sense to me.
No Stupid Questions! Like stated in another response, it is basically a Public / Private partnership! The State of Florida provides the towers and connectivity and Hams privately individually or through clubs bring and connect the equipment to the system. It was great for a long time, but like anything the Government is involved with... they took it over and now they run us off of it anytime they need it. What needs to happen is the Privately owned equipment needs to be taken back and the system needs to just fail so something we can all use can emerge. Getting in bed with the government always ends bad and this is another great example. The Sad Hams actually like it because they can play radio police and yell at folks for roger beeps and unidentified kerchunks. It is a shame that we have effectively Lost SARNet! I no longer use it and soon I will discontinue streaming it. It is truly useless. During Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton they hoarded it up and yelled at anyone that dared to try to use it. They also don't allow Sky Warn Reports, Weather Reports, Traffic Reports, Major Incident Updates, Hurricane Updates, or any useful information to even be said on the system! Completely Useless!
About as useful as the idiots on 14.300 holding down the frequency for a maritime emergency that will never happen. As if a vessel does not have 3 better was of relying an emergency.
If any governmental entity thinks they can just change the rules and or commandeer the equipment I have put up either in part or in whole by my labor and or finances, they have another thing coming. I would take it down or disable it beyond repair in a heartbeat. You don't get to play big kid on the block and just take my equipment and infrastructure if I am adhering to the rules and regs. It is free to use provided you are respectful of the equipment and amateur rules.
My buddies and I switched to some linked DMR machines on the East Coast. There are three systems we use. NE Florida, SE Florida, and Treasure Coast. I believe the SEFL and Treasure Coast systems are connected in some fashion. I do monitor SARNET in the truck but I agree 100% about the snobs on the system. I've heard one old dude rip into guys who just got their ticket saying they need to get off the air because he couldn't find them listed in QRZ yet. This has happened on many occasions. Truly the definition of a Sad HAM. Usually, there will be one guy that checked the FCC database and publically corrected this numbskull. It's embarrassing that these idiots don't welcome new HAMs into our hobby. I'm a new SKYWARN member and monitor our local VHF machine in East Central FL. There are plenty of good friendly guys on a lot of local repeaters both digital and FM. On a side note, as far as Roger beeps go, when I worked for Motorola as a field tech we only allowed control and function tones over our satellite receivers and repeaters linked by microwave. We didn't want any tones like DTMF or quick call not associated with the control of our microwave that some decoder in the system could inadvertently knock down a repeater or bring up a standby repeater. This goes back to the 70s. before everything went IP.
@@Bink035 gads! The days of Vibrasponders and vibrasenders to activate remote equipment. Almost as bad as Ma Bell and the 2600Hz tone to get you into the toll free lines. Oh the memories of growing up around commercial and business radio wide area coverages.
I know South Carolina has scheart which is similar to yalls sarnet. I wish Georgia where I live would do something like this. We have a few small linked repeater systems but I don't believe they interconnect.
Brand new Ham - sounds like Sarnet is Not a resource but a service for the state. This should continue to become another governmental Waste of money. Anyone have contact with the Governor??? He might be interested in what is happening with this …
hi ian . i tried to get info from cape pd , sheriff office , cape coral city website even the lee county website and even the county app for emergency management will not work on a few yr old cell phone will not update with theses rules and eoc only use they should put the system on public service frequencies not ham i do remember 440 is shared with fed and if they need it were out but the state needs to have FCC allocation we need some communication lawyer to look at the rules to see if it conforms with FCC rules and intent i did get the vibe when first volunteering with races back in 1996 when that was how eoc ran areas was the guy who was with red cross and only had a few volunteers then len diebert merged them into alert i dropped arrl after the problems at HQ and the increases in dues and another thing if i see you in person i tell you thanks for this report i caught it Wednesday am joe n3 n.....
Dropping ARRL is a Great Move. It is such a waste. Here is a link to a Frequency List for Lee County ko4efs.wixsite.com/swfltechnet/copy-of-yagi-homebrew-antenna-build During Emergencies Local ARES use Channel 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 20 After Ian they were mostly quiet. and.. I always suggest monitoring channel 12, 146.520 Simplex National Calling Frequency, again, you won't hear much. I am usually monitoring the 52. Hams in this area don't talk much, but when they do here is two nets I am on weekly: Cape Coral Gabfest 146.490 (simplex) No PL Thursday 8PM Loggerhead Net 146.790 (Negative Offset) PL 136.5 Sunday 7:30PM If you need anything else, let me know.
SARnet AKA JOKENET! everyone needs to file complaints to the Head of FDOT and the Governors Office Might as well have it Decommissioned since we the Taxpayers pay for the microwave backbone! Its day has come and gone! time for it to GO!
You would be allowed to use it in an emergency. But what do they agree is an emergency? I know you said "Life or death situation," but you won't know if a tornado is life or death until it's caused it. That is one of the odd things about the radio use rules. But in my opinion, if you think it's a required transmission, then do it !! The FCC is not going to beat you up over a transmission done in good faith !! Where you did what you felt was required under the circumstances. Yes, a cell phone might work in that instance, and then again, it might not. I once came across a fire at a local shooting club, and I called into the local repeater only to be ignored by the idiots using it at the time. My Cell phone provided the contact I needed to emergency services, thankfully. 73.
Bureaucrat always wants the people ignorant. We the people's need our own way of communicating. Even in texas with big deepfreeze few years ago att shut of cell service verizon didnt but att did.
The system is pretty pathetic. Way too much static, mic clicking, squelch bursts, radio checks, barely readable audio by users with subpar equipment. The list goes on….
While its true that repeater owners can restrict users that dont meet normal etiquette standards they in no way can restrict amateur radio frequencies for official state business. I'd setup a repeater on their frequencies to teach them the laws of amateur radio bands. No system owns the airwaves for official business
No one is restricting the use of Amateur frequencies. The state is restricting the use of the LINK, which they own and is not using Amateur frequencies. When they remove a linked repeater for misuse, the repeater is still functioning, but just as a local machine.
@@StarShipAdventures Well, they control the link, the repeater owners agreed to the terms when they joined the link. How much control of the system should the end user really have? They have zero buy in to the system. I guess the real question for me is: How much control do you feel the State should have over their part of the system? Should they just allow it to be a free for all? Should they allow any repeater that wants to join to add whatever devices they want to the system? 45 courtesy tones and roger beeps every transmission? Maybe an autopatch so every user in the state can be forced to listen to your phone call? Who should decide what restrictions (or not) are allowable?
I guess acceptable and allowable are different metrics. They are allowed to do it, but is it acceptable. I Live, Work, and pay taxes in the state of Florida so it is My Infrastructure! I feel that this is unacceptable and I will no longer use it or promote it. It really is worthless, I streamed it through Seven Landfalling Hurricanes, and you can get very little useful info from it. During a hurricane the system sees very little use because anytime you get on you are yelled at! It is a silent backup for the backup statewide communications system for EOCs. They have Conventional Telephone, Cell Phones, State Wide Public Safety Channels, redundant Internet Connectivity through Fiber and Broadband, and a Sat Com Phone, but they need our system as well. It will just sit silent with the exception of the Radio Nazis kicking off people that want to use the system. We need an actual connected system a that is not controlled by the State of Florida.
The new rules hardly make it useless. Sounds like they are trying to prevent one way transmissions and people tying up the system with rag chews for long periods of the time. Considering it's a state wide system with many repeaters linked; I don't find this unreasonable.
This is crazy I feel bad for y'all I always talked up how great sarnet was for Florida and the ability to link up the whole state due to hurricanes and such. Someone always has to screw up something good for the rest of us. INSANE!!!!
I quit Ham Radio years ago. The repeaters are dead here, there, and everywhere. New Hams get their Tech license and discover the hobby is nothing like what they were told, and they're gone or back to CB Radio. I occasionally listen to the crap going on on HF. I kept my Extra Class Ham Radio license until they started charging a fee to renew it. I say there looking at the ULS and after a few minutes I decided not to pay the fee and let my license expire. I was never getting back into it again. Elon Musk has basically made Ham Radio obsolete with his worldwide satellite Internet system. I was done before that went active and now there's no reason whatsoever for Ham Radio. I don't need a license or spend thousands of dollars on equipment to get on the Internet and do anything I like without Sad Hams and Radio Karen's.
@@StarShipAdventures I'm not in a large city like Birmingham or Atlanta so the last club died several years ago. The Hams running the Repeater had been attempting to sell it but now they just want to give it away. The ARRL is doing everything it can to destroy Ham Radio and has become extremely good at it. They should just get rid of the tests because they publish the questions and correct answers. They only serve to make money charging for taking the tests. That's why they eliminated the Novice License. I used to teach Ham Radio for the Novice License as well as for the General class license actually teaching Basic Electronics and how to copy Morse code for both 5 and 13 WPM copy tests. My classes were free and I sent in the 610 forms for those Novices that passed the tests, all for free. That was the only reason I got my Extra Class Ham Radio license. Today you should just pay your $35 and get a Ham Radio license just like getting a GMRS license to do everything. Just one single license for the entirety of Ham Radio. One of the things that gives so many Sad Hams the attitudes they have is that license so just eliminate the tests that aren't actually tests so the Sad Hams can't feel like they are important or have done something special, because they haven't.
The GMRS guys in my area are very active and a lot of them hold amateur licenses. I'm one of them although I have gravitated to some locally linked DMR systems on the Florida East Coast.
@n4zou surprise! After reading your diatribe it sounds like your just pissed your not one of the elites in charge of things. Nobody cares that let your license expire considering how negative your input is. All you suceeded in doing was spreading your negativity. I enjoy 10-10 , YL System, OMISS, HFQSO and my local nets including the KR9RK Happy Hour at 5m central. Only gratitude and happy rhoughts allowed, no whiny old bitter hams wanted to cry " (insert whine here) is killing ham radio" Ham Radio like life is 95% attitude and positive motives. Ive made 100s of new Dx countries this year. Instead of being the whiny old ham I add to the solution and help new people find and enjoy the happening things that bring joy to myself and others.
All the EOC and admin of local agencies have satellite phones and couldn’t care less about the common man. I got my ham ticket a few months ago and realize it’s not worth the time or effort to get my general. I listen to SARNET and it’s a clown show.
The irony is it seems to be one of the most useless repeater/repeater systems in the state. The last two hurricanes, all I heard was people acting like immature lids and grumpy guys yelling at them. lol What's the point?
What you describe is every repeater I've been on in SoCal. I've had repeater admin pull the plug on me and a friend, at 3 in the morning, talking about ham radio. We mention the high price of a radio. They said it was BUISNESS COMMUNICATIONS. Complaining of a price? We then switch to simplex on the repeater output. They claim it was JAMMING. The repeater was shut down. So, how to you jam a shutdown repeater? Listen to most repeater. What do you hear most of the time?? NOTHING! The gate keepers keep everyone off. The repeater is just there to tie up two frequency or more. The local 6m group, back 30 years ago, had SIMPLEX outputs on 10m, 2m, 220, 440 and 1296. Every net, every QSO tied up frequencies on all the other band. Reason, we need more people on 6m. BS. It was to hog up space from others. Repeaters and their clubs are worthless to me, and I will never ever support it till my last breath. I will go SIENT KEY, before ever joining another repeater group or club. I am totally happy with my DMR and hotspot. I'm happy on FT8 and FT4. I'm happy with MESHTASTIC. OLD MEN GATE KEEPS JUST NEED TO FIND ANOTHER PLANET TO BE ON!!! or ham radio will DIE
Not business related unless you own the business the radio is being sold through, or the price is being discussed. I would have brought up the patch and ordered a pizza.
They didnt take it over. The Link is owned by the state, always has been. The local repeaters that joined are still privately and locally owned. The link is part of the Statewide public safety radio system and the State allowed amateur radio repeaters to join the link for free. The repeaters are free to unlink and be local repeater any time they want, but if they are linked, then the State has control of it. Think of it like driving on a road. The State can make rules about how you drive on the road. If you don't want rules, then you have to drive on your own private property.
You will hear the elite few on there all the time. They are allowed. Just read the rules under Prohibited Communications: Unless authorized by the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) or designee, communications between licensed operators that may otherwise be possible utilizing other local or regional resources (i.e. local repeaters, simplex frequencies, etc.). This means any communication that can be carried out by another means, including Cell Phones, would be prohibited. Unless you are the elite few that use it all the time. I guess the SWIC said they can use it all day. So they do. I do not have this permission.
Is the SARNET system utilizing ham radio frequencies? If so they have NO right to restrict traffic. Use it and too bad for the EMS system of Florida. Check with the FCC and file a complaint against Florida. With the advent of internet connectivity, whatever is available other repeaters can be linked into a wide area network again. There is a saying in the USMC and pardon the way we express ourselves but "once you have 'em by the kohnes, their hearts and minds will follow". That’s the way Sammy operates today.
@@StarShipAdventuresthey do not have the authority to take over amateur bands and the band plan Is a gentleman's agreement not something exclusive for any agency to dominate. Time to challenge this poppy cock. The linking here in Wisconsin and Illinois and Michigan is private repeaters who dont bow down to bootlickers.
SARNET is privately owned repeaters, but the LINK is owned by the State. The benefit is that the State owned link has several layers of redundancy. The State is allowing hams to use this infrastructure for free, and they have no obligation to continue the use of it. If the repeater owners want to do a linked system without the restrictions, they can provide and fund their own link infrastructure.
@@kg4gav is the state owned system that links the repeaters a hardwire system that relies on Ma Bell dedicated circuits or is it via leased satellite links, an RF backhaul system or internet? This is not really discussed in the video. Are the repeaters utilizing a GPS discipline system for simulcasting the audio as we once did with wide area voice paging?
They should not be allowed to ruin the wonderful amateur radio system you have. F the radio police. Don't forget the threat of arrest and conviction of a felony and how that will impact your ability to vote or get a ccl. Time to build something bigger and better in the spirit of what amateur radio really was meant to be.
You were right about SARNET. I spent most of yesterday streaming it on Spotify as Milton approached land, and there was *nothing* on it of value after the State took over, save for some self-important character out of Tallahassee telling everyone else to stay off. Nothing. Why does it even exist? And why would any repeater-owner sign on for that?
Some folks like to be chummy with people they perceive to be of authority.
Thank you for addressing this.. literally hear same 4 or 5 guys on it half the time testing etc ... sad it is so regulatory ..wonder how many just go back to cb or just phones cause the restrictions...
Many are finding GMRS!
Wow that’s a massive waste! SARNet was one of my examples of ham cooperating to broadening communications.
Only listened briefly long ago. The only regular traffic is the “Stop Transmitting and Get Off” show. Which at times has been hilarious.
It's True, during a Hurricane the only thing you will hear is the Radio Nazis Kicking all the Average People off the system and constantly keeping it clear for Emergency Traffic that will never come.
They can eff off. We can create a parallel system that's open to all Hams for emergency and administrative traffic.
We can, but won't. Very Little is being done to advance Ham Radio. This will Never get resolved or replaced.
The repeater owners need to take back their repeaters. If it was myself I'd take it out of my equipment. Let the community start their own stuff on social media, find new ways to keep information free to everyone.
Agreed!
I’m asking our club to take our repeater back!
Awesome!!
I'm listening from California over on Allstar.
Amateur Radio is a public service open to ALL licensed Hams.
It is not government owned or controlled by the state.
The only exception should be during an actual emergency situation.
Which is when we would need it most, we can't use it. The Government provides the Linking and Towers so they take it whenever they want!
I think the State of Floriduh forgot that and they ignore the LAW and the true purpose of Amateur radio! They will only get the point when the majority state filing complaints to the Governors office!
It’s a statewide linked repeater system. This makes perfect sense. What does a road closure in Tampa mean to someone in Pensacola? Nothing. Same goes for a tornado warning. It sounds like you are looking for this to be a local repeater. The big issue is if it is busy with reports that are not relevant to most users, those users will stop listening. Oh and regarding the weather, NOAA WX radio is the resource. We have a linked system in west central Florida where one guy is living out his radio weatherman fantasy. It’s superfluous.
Yea, I listen to the NI4CE... I disagree with you Traffic = Interest = Listeners! More Traffic is better. It interests folks to listen! Keeping it silent is stupid!
I monitor sarnet everyday and hear people chatting all kind of themes with no problem. But in state emergency is reserved for government agencies as backup. Only life threatening emergency can use on state emergency.
I said all that! What people do and what people are allowed to do are two different things. It is the Over reach and power trips that I Take issue with!
@@StarShipAdventuresnot what I heard.
they are violating Fl hams ability to use the network for emergency comms Period! their new rules Violate FCC regulations § 97.405 Station in distress.
(a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance.
(b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section, of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress. and they violate § 97.407 Radio amateur civil emergency service. since it seems they do not indicate they are apart of RACES
I really sucks what we have allowed those people (Radio Nazis) to do to this system!
"All kerchunks will be reported to the FCC field office" 😂 I'm sure the FCC field office will really appreciate that. They'll run right out and investigate, right? Too funny. I'm sure that won't backfire.
This statement or "Threat" as I call it is stupid! It is so ignorant that I am surprised it made it into this document. Most Hams would know this is stupid and not true. There are more than 300 kerchunks a day, that is a lot of paper! geesh!
In my area, I have had an issue with someone making rude and offensive comments to another licensed operator I have conversations with in between pauses, keying up the repeater and blocking all transmissions, and rebroadcasting music and other things. We also had a GMRS operator attempting to check in on our 2m net one night; he later got his tech and was welcomed on air. I don't have an issue with people using their equipment and my club's resources but be licensed at the very least and don't be a donkey on air. It is not that difficult to get your technician license.
The licensing is stupid, but I agree, at this point you need to be legal! There is a difference between Protected Speech and Directed Harassment. The latter is covered by law!
@@StarShipAdventures I had a question though about the whole takeover by Florida EM. Was SARnet an amateur funded venture statewide and allowed FLEM to use it under ARES or some agreement or was it wholly state infrastructure?
The Microwave connectivity and the towers are owned by the State, but I understand that most of the repeaters are privately owned and hold the call sign of the owner. I have been told it is all owned by the state, but the website does say this:
Where does the SARnet equipment come from?
Much of the radio equipment is donated while the networking equipment is the property of FDOT. Remember though that all of the repeater trustees whose repeaters are on SARnet are licensed Amateur Radio Operators. The majority of these repeaters (FB2s) are owned and/or maintained by FDOT personnel or contractors that are HAMS. A few repeaters (FB2s) are locally owned, operated and/or maintained by trustees who are not affiliated with FDOT but each of these has a control station (FX1) associated with it, located at an FDOT tower, that is owned by FDOT personnel or contractors.
@@StarShipAdventures I appreciate the information. In light of it, that is not an ideal situation. I personally would never donate my resources to a formal entity without some kind of written MOU. This is highly distasteful and creates a divide between licensed radio operators and FLEM. FLEM could have more volunteer operators than they know what to do with but it appears to be that they want to be big kid on the block and play king of the hill. Nobody wins and whole communities will suffer for it.
@@theheist5there is an MOU in place.
Was on SARNet in Cocoa Beach this past April. Weather reports were given regularly. Operators were having short QSO’s, including how their equipment was sounding. My firsthand experience is nothing like this video describes.
Did you miss the part about these being New Rules. BTW, despite rules in the past there are always the elite few that use it regularly!
@@StarShipAdventures No, I saw that you were talking about new rules, which is why I both dated when I was on and that I was only talking about my own experience.
"despite rules in the past there are always the elite few that use it regularly!"
Sorry, I'm not sure what you're saying here.
Past Rules did have some restrictions on use, the new rules by the State DEM are Much More Strict. Despite the Past Rules and the Current Rules there are still a handful of Hams that use the system all the time. If you are on the inside you can use it, if your not then stay off.
They built it, their rules. Although it would be great, that is not how they want to use their system.
If it's on amateur radio bands, then no, not really.
Most of the SARNet restrictions that fall under a "broadcast nature" are legitimate parts of two-way conversations and ARE NOT PROHIBITED.
As far as their definitions of what may be discussed the FDEM would lose in a First Amendment lawsuit.
The FDEM would also lose under FCC regulation because part of amateur radio communications is emergency communications when there is eminent threat to life or property. Accidents, major weather events, and fires all pose risk to life and property.
A QST is not legally limited to use by ARES, FEMA, FDEM, or the ARRL.
You should feel confident to make QST announcements on the SARNet regarding eminent threats to life or property. If FDEM comes after you, prepare to get rich after a lengthy legal battle.
1st Amendment would probably not stand, as they would just claim it is a private repeater system, which you as a user are a guest, and they can make the rules. Which they have. The other argument that would stand is there are other local only repeaters that you would be better serviced using...
Not to mention that the antennas are on Florida DOT microwave towers which are owned by the state. The repeaters and back haul systems are owned and maintained by clubs and a few private individuals.
You mentioned repeaters are privately owned? Repeater owners should disconnect from Tsar- Net and create a new network. Are they getting paid or given gear?
Not sure the exact deal, but I would not operate one under these conditions.
Some have tried and was told that if they leave they would have to remove their equipment...you see, most if not all of these repeaters are on State towers (DOT). Also, Ive been told, that some owners have been supplemented during the install by the State...how much and to what degree I dont know. The bottom line though is this....these are open HAM repeaters on HAM frequencies and we, the HAM community, should be using them ( non interfering) every single day whether "THEY" like it or not....if THEY want to report it to the FCC then let them. THEY will have to prove that we broke FCC rules and regs by operating as licensed HAMS on open HAM repeaters on HAM frequencies.
I wish you would put out factual information. You are purposely misleading people. The only time SARNET is in a controlled net is during a declared state of emergency and during check ins one day a week. During Milton, they were calling out Tornados and warnings. The antennas are placed on Florida DOT towers, while the repeaters and back hail systems are managed by clubs and a few individuals. There is an agreement in place between those parties that allow for the state to activate a controlled net only during the aforementioned times. The rest of the time it is open to anyone and everyone. I was monitoring as part of my job during Milton when a gentleman called out that a tornado had touched down across the street from him. He was able to give his location before coms were lost. Fire/Rescue was dispatched to his location. I hope the guy is okay. The point I am trying to make is that is seems as if you want to be able to carry on a rag chew session during a hurricane instead of a controlled net be put in place so that the State and local EOC's can communicate with the emergency shelters and quite possibly the E911 call centers in the event of failure of the native systems during an emergency. Anyone who doubts me can lookup the information on the SARNET website, can call Florida DOT or ask any of the local ham operators that staff the shelters or the local EOC's. Also, a SARNet repeater could be down for a myriad of reasons including inappropriate usage. If the repeater is found to be down, call FDOT and let them know. It could be that it was taken off air for tower repairs/maintenance, they my not know it is down, or if someone was cussing up a blue streak and they knew it was coming from a specific area, they can shut it down temporarily. Guy just needs to be honest.
@@jamestannachion8405 I dont think so....your statement is flawed in so many ways. You can carry their water if you like...but we know better. 73
@eyewetoddid glad you think that both you and he are correct. I hope you do just a little bit of research. I promise it won't take very long. Maybe you should go volunteer at your local EOC, it might open your eyes to a few of the things that you know better than I. I know that I am a new HAM, but I have been around coms for a little while. 73 to you as well.
Its a partnership between the repeater owners and the state, because obviously the states providing the microwave equipment to connect them together, many of the rules really are not that different than what the FCC rules are. I can see both sides . as the state is asking for people to be mindful of the equipment and the use of the equipment wear and tear and things of that sort because I used it too much then when we need it, he may not be available right that's a possibility. I also understand as an amateur radio operator would like to toy around with our equipment and like to push the envelope a little bit as to what we canning can't do with our equipment and part of the coolest thing about amateur radio is talking about our hobbies with other amateurs, and Rag chewing is very much a part of that.
With all the other options out there today we can use wires X, fusion ,DMR ,Echolonk, and d-star for everyday talking, but when the systems are down and nodes/ networks are not working SARNET will work, so I guess their Idea is to save it for when we need it.
Well, I call it hoarding it when We Need It Most!
State wide system. Two or three people can tie up the system ? Sounds like a bad idea.
Repeaters are for talking about your old surgeries and prostate problems. Or at least around here that’s what they do.
Local emergencies are for 911, not a net unless you have no other communication.
I could be great if done right!
12:04 I remember when this happened I was actually the radio operator that relayed the information to the State Emergency Operation Center. It was Brevard County that lost all of its power to the emergency operation center and they were able to get a message to us so we (WJ4EOC) were able to relay it to the SCOC through the Jacksonville Emergency Operation Center. Matthew was wild, but even then the state was trying to control the system even to the point where they would constantly announce that it’s in use and that people needed to get off of it.
Bottom Line It can Still be a Tertiary Backup for the State Governments contact with County EOCs and be left open for Brief Communications between Hams and Severe Weather Reports.
@@StarShipAdventures totally agree with you. There are other systems that most hams are not aware of like the EMnet, NAWAS, and other satellite communication options That work as a Tertiary, not withholding, traditional communication methods, such as HF nets and Traditional means of Phone or VoIP Comms….. But yea it should not be restricted to only people of power. Regardless, Mark my words, If my cell doesn’t work and there are no other means of communication and I or my family needs help and I can reach the SEOC via SARNet and have them use NAWAS or EMNet to relay traffic to Jacksonville resources I will do so without hesitation regardless of NET Con being restrictive!
When did these new rules take effect? I visited the official SARNET website, and it seemingly hasn't been updated in quite a while. The type of traffic I hear these days seems to be the same as it has always been.
It took effect January 1, 2024. sarnetfl.org/uploads/6/1/7/0/61701057/fdem_sarnet_policy_2024_final.pdf They are actively running folks off SARNet this morning. Ridiculous!
Who is registered to those repeaters ? if it is not state Ham License I would pull the repeater off SARNet . It was not meant to be for business and not legal If the state has this much hate for the Amateur Radio community - Leave them ! They need Amateurs more than they think . Government power is limited to what the people allow .
They don't hate us, they just use us! If I had a Repeater on the system I would pull it. We as Hams need to put up more connected systems that are not subject to the State's Whim.
Apparently the SEOC Watch Office Pissed off the NHC as the NHC was requesting spotters to provide “At Ground” Level reports regarding the storm in North-Central FL during Debby. SEOC said that all Non-Essential Traffic was prohibited and that the EOC’s and Authorized State agencies were the only ones allowed to use the system. Needless to say the NHC Operator simply Ghosted them and refused to acknowledge SEOC once they were deemed non-essential in so many words and since it was explicitly stated that regular hams were “Not Authorized to pass traffic”. It is unfortunate as this is why the system exists today. It being under the Custodianship of the FDEM is not a good choice. The repeaters belong to private sponsors or clubs and not the state. The state through the FDOT Microwave Link system only provides the backbone. I get the usefulness of a NET and NET Control Structure but to deem certain traffic non-essential is simply stupid IMO. You should be able to request to pass traffic from the Net Controller regardless. I certainly this what not what the initial thought were when the system was brought online but it seems it has been commandeered.
I just went to the SARNet website, which states that it is an Amateur Radio Net, thus, FEMA has over-reached their authority, thus valid for legal action ... or even better, grounds for FCC intervention as well ... also sounds like some of the owners of the repeaters need to remove their sites and maybe start over with a new system ...
Government does not fight government. The FCC will not step in if a State Over Steps.
@@StarShipAdventures They do ALL the time! The problem is the 70cm band is secondarily allocated to the Amateur service.
10:47 being TOLD not allowed to use it versus them shutting it off. And in case of life or death...yeah hurricanes are kind of that. We would think state would know that.
I live in Ohio. The State of Ohio has MARCS a hardened radio system for First Responders and other governmental comms. In my view, ARES and NTS are obsolete in Ohio.. The Ohio National Guard is the best to help mitigate a disaster, leave us grumpy old hams out of it !!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Remember the FARA system that was setup in western Ohio into eastern Indiana and Northwest Kentucky? The locked it down to members only and it slowly disappeared.
@@SubgunmanFARA and the 525 in Indy were awesome at the time
matter of fact,i need to be askin for my local ARES net next time,,,,thanks for this, 73.
I live in Ohio... Virtually no major disasters except a rare tornado and some flooding... I gave -up on ARES and NTS participation after years of waiting for something significant event... I slowly learned that all culminated into an enormous waste-of-time for me and other Hams... The State of Ohio some 10-12 years ago introduced a hardened radio system named M.A.R.C.S. for First Responders and other inter governmental comms; the system works very well.... ARES and NTS are obsolete here in Ohio... Call in the Ohio State National Guard to mitigate a disaster they have good comms, instead of relying on trying to mobilize Ham radio operators !! 😁😁😁😁
ARES = Ego Trippin Curmudgeons!
I do hope they moved M.A.R.C.S, off of 800 MHZ. I had a friend who was in charge of the MARCS system back in the day and they were running it on 800 and there was a major issue, it DID NOT WORK in southern Ohio. Too many hills blocking the signals into the valleys. That was the reason the OHP used low band statewide. It worked everywhere.
So maybe a stupid question here, but how is it possible that the FDOT moved into a segment of the amateur radio spectrum and declared it essentially off limits to all but those few stations that they’ve deemed as “official”? What right do they have to our federally allocated frequencies?
I mean, why is FDOT on the 70cm ham segment at all? Isn’t this government encroachment on our frequencies? FDOT is very well funded so their presence on 70cm doesn’t make sense to me.
@@CountryFriar because FDOT provides the microwave towers that the antennas are on. The repeaters are provided and maintained by clubs or individuals.
No Stupid Questions! Like stated in another response, it is basically a Public / Private partnership! The State of Florida provides the towers and connectivity and Hams privately individually or through clubs bring and connect the equipment to the system. It was great for a long time, but like anything the Government is involved with... they took it over and now they run us off of it anytime they need it. What needs to happen is the Privately owned equipment needs to be taken back and the system needs to just fail so something we can all use can emerge. Getting in bed with the government always ends bad and this is another great example. The Sad Hams actually like it because they can play radio police and yell at folks for roger beeps and unidentified kerchunks. It is a shame that we have effectively Lost SARNet! I no longer use it and soon I will discontinue streaming it. It is truly useless. During Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton they hoarded it up and yelled at anyone that dared to try to use it. They also don't allow Sky Warn Reports, Weather Reports, Traffic Reports, Major Incident Updates, Hurricane Updates, or any useful information to even be said on the system! Completely Useless!
About as useful as the idiots on 14.300 holding down the frequency for a maritime emergency that will never happen. As if a vessel does not have 3 better was of relying an emergency.
Yea, I have heard them bitching before.. LOL
If any governmental entity thinks they can just change the rules and or commandeer the equipment I have put up either in part or in whole by my labor and or finances, they have another thing coming. I would take it down or disable it beyond repair in a heartbeat. You don't get to play big kid on the block and just take my equipment and infrastructure if I am adhering to the rules and regs. It is free to use provided you are respectful of the equipment and amateur rules.
My buddies and I switched to some linked DMR machines on the East Coast. There are three systems we use. NE Florida, SE Florida, and Treasure Coast. I believe the SEFL and Treasure Coast systems are connected in some fashion. I do monitor SARNET in the truck but I agree 100% about the snobs on the system. I've heard one old dude rip into guys who just got their ticket saying they need to get off the air because he couldn't find them listed in QRZ yet. This has happened on many occasions. Truly the definition of a Sad HAM. Usually, there will be one guy that checked the FCC database and publically corrected this numbskull. It's embarrassing that these idiots don't welcome new HAMs into our hobby. I'm a new SKYWARN member and monitor our local VHF machine in East Central FL. There are plenty of good friendly guys on a lot of local repeaters both digital and FM. On a side note, as far as Roger beeps go, when I worked for Motorola as a field tech we only allowed control and function tones over our satellite receivers and repeaters linked by microwave. We didn't want any tones like DTMF or quick call not associated with the control of our microwave that some decoder in the system could inadvertently knock down a repeater or bring up a standby repeater. This goes back to the 70s. before everything went IP.
@@Bink035 gads! The days of Vibrasponders and vibrasenders to activate remote equipment. Almost as bad as Ma Bell and the 2600Hz tone to get you into the toll free lines. Oh the memories of growing up around commercial and business radio wide area coverages.
@@Subgunman Yup. 2175 guard tones for Moto remotes. I carried a Halcyon 701A line test set on my truck.
I know South Carolina has scheart which is similar to yalls sarnet. I wish Georgia where I live would do something like this. We have a few small linked repeater systems but I don't believe they interconnect.
Don't let the Government get involved, they will ban you off your own system right when you need it most!
Brand new Ham - sounds like Sarnet is Not a resource but a service for the state.
This should continue to become another governmental Waste of money.
Anyone have contact with the Governor???
He might be interested in what is happening with this …
The want a system that everyone can get on, but no one is allowed to use! Seems useless to me!
hi ian . i tried to get info from cape pd , sheriff office , cape coral city website even the lee county website
and even the county app for emergency management will not work on a few yr old cell phone will not update
with theses rules and eoc only use they should put the system on public service frequencies not ham i do remember 440 is shared with fed and if they need it were out but the state needs to have FCC allocation
we need some communication lawyer to look at the rules to see if it conforms with FCC rules and intent
i did get the vibe when first volunteering with races back in 1996 when that was how eoc ran areas was the guy who was with red cross and only had a few volunteers then len diebert merged them into alert
i dropped arrl after the problems at HQ and the increases in dues and another thing if i see you in person i tell you thanks for this report i caught it Wednesday am joe n3 n.....
Dropping ARRL is a Great Move. It is such a waste.
Here is a link to a Frequency List for Lee County ko4efs.wixsite.com/swfltechnet/copy-of-yagi-homebrew-antenna-build
During Emergencies Local ARES use Channel 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 20 After Ian they were mostly quiet.
and.. I always suggest monitoring channel 12, 146.520 Simplex National Calling Frequency, again, you won't hear much. I am usually monitoring the 52.
Hams in this area don't talk much, but when they do here is two nets I am on weekly:
Cape Coral Gabfest 146.490 (simplex) No PL Thursday 8PM
Loggerhead Net 146.790 (Negative Offset) PL 136.5 Sunday 7:30PM
If you need anything else, let me know.
SARnet AKA JOKENET! everyone needs to file complaints to the Head of FDOT and the Governors Office Might as well have it Decommissioned since we the Taxpayers pay for the microwave backbone! Its day has come and gone! time for it to GO!
You would be allowed to use it in an emergency. But what do they agree is an emergency? I know you said "Life or death situation," but you won't know if a tornado is life or death until it's caused it. That is one of the odd things about the radio use rules. But in my opinion, if you think it's a required transmission, then do it !! The FCC is not going to beat you up over a transmission done in good faith !! Where you did what you felt was required under the circumstances.
Yes, a cell phone might work in that instance, and then again, it might not. I once came across a fire at a local shooting club, and I called into the local repeater only to be ignored by the idiots using it at the time. My Cell phone provided the contact I needed to emergency services, thankfully. 73.
"Life or Death Transmissions are Always Allowed! This system should be available for regular traffic during a disaster as well.
Bureaucrat always wants the people ignorant. We the people's need our own way of communicating. Even in texas with big deepfreeze few years ago att shut of cell service verizon didnt but att did.
The system is pretty pathetic. Way too much static, mic clicking, squelch bursts, radio checks, barely readable audio by users with subpar equipment. The list goes on….
While its true that repeater owners can restrict users that dont meet normal etiquette standards they in no way can restrict amateur radio frequencies for official state business. I'd setup a repeater on their frequencies to teach them the laws of amateur radio bands. No system owns the airwaves for official business
Agreed!
No one is restricting the use of Amateur frequencies. The state is restricting the use of the LINK, which they own and is not using Amateur frequencies. When they remove a linked repeater for misuse, the repeater is still functioning, but just as a local machine.
And... this makes it Ok for you??
@@StarShipAdventures Well, they control the link, the repeater owners agreed to the terms when they joined the link. How much control of the system should the end user really have? They have zero buy in to the system.
I guess the real question for me is: How much control do you feel the State should have over their part of the system? Should they just allow it to be a free for all? Should they allow any repeater that wants to join to add whatever devices they want to the system? 45 courtesy tones and roger beeps every transmission? Maybe an autopatch so every user in the state can be forced to listen to your phone call?
Who should decide what restrictions (or not) are allowable?
I guess acceptable and allowable are different metrics. They are allowed to do it, but is it acceptable. I Live, Work, and pay taxes in the state of Florida so it is My Infrastructure! I feel that this is unacceptable and I will no longer use it or promote it. It really is worthless, I streamed it through Seven Landfalling Hurricanes, and you can get very little useful info from it. During a hurricane the system sees very little use because anytime you get on you are yelled at! It is a silent backup for the backup statewide communications system for EOCs. They have Conventional Telephone, Cell Phones, State Wide Public Safety Channels, redundant Internet Connectivity through Fiber and Broadband, and a Sat Com Phone, but they need our system as well. It will just sit silent with the exception of the Radio Nazis kicking off people that want to use the system. We need an actual connected system a that is not controlled by the State of Florida.
The new rules hardly make it useless. Sounds like they are trying to prevent one way transmissions and people tying up the system with rag chews for long periods of the time. Considering it's a state wide system with many repeaters linked; I don't find this unreasonable.
Doing what they always do ruling it to death and squashing legal use. This is the problem with Ham Radio, Band Policing.
This is crazy I feel bad for y'all I always talked up how great sarnet was for Florida and the ability to link up the whole state due to hurricanes and such. Someone always has to screw up something good for the rest of us. INSANE!!!!
Want to ruin something, let the government fix it!
I quit Ham Radio years ago. The repeaters are dead here, there, and everywhere. New Hams get their Tech license and discover the hobby is nothing like what they were told, and they're gone or back to CB Radio. I occasionally listen to the crap going on on HF. I kept my Extra Class Ham Radio license until they started charging a fee to renew it. I say there looking at the ULS and after a few minutes I decided not to pay the fee and let my license expire. I was never getting back into it again. Elon Musk has basically made Ham Radio obsolete with his worldwide satellite Internet system. I was done before that went active and now there's no reason whatsoever for Ham Radio. I don't need a license or spend thousands of dollars on equipment to get on the Internet and do anything I like without Sad Hams and Radio Karen's.
I still have fun with the hand full of folks that still want to do things. I won't get involved in Local Club, ARRL, or State Politics however!
@@StarShipAdventures I'm not in a large city like Birmingham or Atlanta so the last club died several years ago. The Hams running the Repeater had been attempting to sell it but now they just want to give it away. The ARRL is doing everything it can to destroy Ham Radio and has become extremely good at it. They should just get rid of the tests because they publish the questions and correct answers. They only serve to make money charging for taking the tests. That's why they eliminated the Novice License. I used to teach Ham Radio for the Novice License as well as for the General class license actually teaching Basic Electronics and how to copy Morse code for both 5 and 13 WPM copy tests. My classes were free and I sent in the 610 forms for those Novices that passed the tests, all for free. That was the only reason I got my Extra Class Ham Radio license. Today you should just pay your $35 and get a Ham Radio license just like getting a GMRS license to do everything. Just one single license for the entirety of Ham Radio. One of the things that gives so many Sad Hams the attitudes they have is that license so just eliminate the tests that aren't actually tests so the Sad Hams can't feel like they are important or have done something special, because they haven't.
The GMRS guys in my area are very active and a lot of them hold amateur licenses. I'm one of them although I have gravitated to some locally linked DMR systems on the Florida East Coast.
@n4zou surprise! After reading your diatribe it sounds like your just pissed your not one of the elites in charge of things. Nobody cares that let your license expire considering how negative your input is. All you suceeded in doing was spreading your negativity. I enjoy 10-10 , YL System, OMISS, HFQSO and my local nets including the KR9RK Happy Hour at 5m central. Only gratitude and happy rhoughts allowed, no whiny old bitter hams wanted to cry " (insert whine here) is killing ham radio"
Ham Radio like life is 95% attitude and positive motives. Ive made 100s of new Dx countries this year. Instead of being the whiny old ham I add to the solution and help new people find and enjoy the happening things that bring joy to myself and others.
I got my GMRS Ticket and I am finding that to be much more active and more fun. There is not as many Radio Nazis over on GMRS.
Are you giving a list of stuff it can't be used for?
Yes
All the EOC and admin of local agencies have satellite phones and couldn’t care less about the common man. I got my ham ticket a few months ago and realize it’s not worth the time or effort to get my general. I listen to SARNET and it’s a clown show.
I would get the General and get on HF, it's still worth it.
The irony is it seems to be one of the most useless repeater/repeater systems in the state. The last two hurricanes, all I heard was people acting like immature lids and grumpy guys yelling at them. lol What's the point?
Most traffic is them yelling at us to stay off our system! Ridiculous!
Interesting videos from @Starship Adventures .
Thanks!
So what good is it??😂😮
None whatsoever 😂
Really Nothing!!!
What you describe is every repeater I've been on in SoCal.
I've had repeater admin pull the plug on me and a friend, at 3 in the morning, talking about ham radio. We mention the high price of a radio. They said it was BUISNESS COMMUNICATIONS. Complaining of a price? We then switch to simplex on the repeater output. They claim it was JAMMING. The repeater was shut down. So, how to you jam a shutdown repeater? Listen to most repeater. What do you hear most of the time?? NOTHING! The gate keepers keep everyone off. The repeater is just there to tie up two frequency or more. The local 6m group, back 30 years ago, had SIMPLEX outputs on 10m, 2m, 220, 440 and 1296. Every net, every QSO tied up frequencies on all the other band. Reason, we need more people on 6m. BS. It was to hog up space from others.
Repeaters and their clubs are worthless to me, and I will never ever support it till my last breath. I will go SIENT KEY, before ever joining another repeater group or club. I am totally happy with my DMR and hotspot. I'm happy on FT8 and FT4. I'm happy with MESHTASTIC. OLD MEN GATE KEEPS JUST NEED TO FIND ANOTHER PLANET TO BE ON!!! or ham radio will DIE
Not business related unless you own the business the radio is being sold through, or the price is being discussed. I would have brought up the patch and ordered a pizza.
then whyyy did whoever let them take it over like that? that dont sound like amature radio to me. that sounds stupid to me. should never let them in.
Agreed, getting in bed with the Government means eventually you have no control anymore. They took it over.
They didnt take it over. The Link is owned by the state, always has been. The local repeaters that joined are still privately and locally owned. The link is part of the Statewide public safety radio system and the State allowed amateur radio repeaters to join the link for free. The repeaters are free to unlink and be local repeater any time they want, but if they are linked, then the State has control of it.
Think of it like driving on a road. The State can make rules about how you drive on the road. If you don't want rules, then you have to drive on your own private property.
Disallowing it's general use, is in effect taking it over... Just sayin!
I listen on my scanner app. i hear guys talking all the time... get rid of the system...
You will hear the elite few on there all the time. They are allowed. Just read the rules under Prohibited Communications: Unless authorized by the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) or designee,
communications between licensed operators that may otherwise be possible utilizing other
local or regional resources (i.e. local repeaters, simplex frequencies, etc.). This means any communication that can be carried out by another means, including Cell Phones, would be prohibited. Unless you are the elite few that use it all the time. I guess the SWIC said they can use it all day. So they do. I do not have this permission.
And people wonder why repeaters are dying.
Exactly!!
Is the SARNET system utilizing ham radio frequencies? If so they have NO right to restrict traffic. Use it and too bad for the EMS system of Florida. Check with the FCC and file a complaint against Florida. With the advent of internet connectivity, whatever is available other repeaters can be linked into a wide area network again.
There is a saying in the USMC and pardon the way we express ourselves but "once you have 'em by the kohnes, their hearts and minds will follow". That’s the way Sammy operates today.
I get the frustration, but its government on government never works. The State has fingers in it and they take it over at will!
@@StarShipAdventuresthey do not have the authority to take over amateur bands and the band plan Is a gentleman's agreement not something exclusive for any agency to dominate. Time to challenge this poppy cock. The linking here in Wisconsin and Illinois and Michigan is private repeaters who dont bow down to bootlickers.
SARNET is privately owned repeaters, but the LINK is owned by the State. The benefit is that the State owned link has several layers of redundancy. The State is allowing hams to use this infrastructure for free, and they have no obligation to continue the use of it. If the repeater owners want to do a linked system without the restrictions, they can provide and fund their own link infrastructure.
@@kg4gav is the state owned system that links the repeaters a hardwire system that relies on Ma Bell dedicated circuits or is it via leased satellite links, an RF backhaul system or internet? This is not really discussed in the video. Are the repeaters utilizing a GPS discipline system for simulcasting the audio as we once did with wide area voice paging?
Good Luck on getting one Government Agency to tell another to cease and desist!
420 it's the 3 legged man.
They should not be allowed to ruin the wonderful amateur radio system you have. F the radio police. Don't forget the threat of arrest and conviction of a felony and how that will impact your ability to vote or get a ccl. Time to build something bigger and better in the spirit of what amateur radio really was meant to be.