COMM Update: Cal Fire Ditching HAM Emergency Comms

[Old Gray Mare]

So..... it sounds like some bonehead wants to remove two repeaters positioned on California mountaintops in fire prone areas, that have been used to facilitate communication of fire mitigation for about 30 years.

IMO it sounds like this YouTube volger has done his research and is presenting an update on facts from available sources along with an interview with a lawyer who is assisting with the effort to try and keep the repeaters on the towers and available to facilitate emergency communication.

Fair use.

Update: Cal Fire Ditching HAM Emergency Comms

Oct 23, 2019

GunGuyTV
117K subscribers
This is an update on the situation involving CalFire and some HAM radio repeaters that are vital to the safety of Californians.


link to source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYSR8Q_N-FE
run time 21:50

 

[Snyper]

They can keep the equipment there as long as they start paying rent.

 

[Switchback]

They can keep the equipment there as long as they start paying rent.

Which is normal if you don't own the land, tower and shack.
And you can't abandon your equipment for years when it fails and leave it for someone else to clean up or remove.

 

[wab54]

They can keep the equipment there as long as they start paying rent.

Provided they can afford the "rent" payments. I own two repeaters. I couldnt afford to pay the regular rent prices.

WAB

 

[Millwright]

There are only a few tower companies and they own most of the towers in the country, especially cell sites.

I can see that these towers were recently purchased and the new owners are cleaning house.

Ferinstance, a company just bought the last 1000 or so AT&T towers for $689mil. Dunno if they were in Ca. or not.

A company with that kind of pockets can easily sway a few state officials.

Hard to say without a little inside knowledge.

 

[Ogre]

This was an update from ARRL on October 17th:

Report Causes Concern and Confusion in California's Amateur Radio Ranks

By all credible and reliable accounts, the State of California has not turned its back on Amateur Radio as an emergency communication resource, nor have established repeater owners been asked to remove their equipment from state-owned sites unless they pay sizable fees. The California controversy, inflamed by a viral YouTube video, stemmed from a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) communication telling a repeater owner or group that Amateur Radio equipment would have to be removed from a state-owned site or "vault" if the owner(s) determined the cost was too great to proceed with a formal application to keep it there.

"I do understand and appreciate all of the service you have provided in the past," CAL FIRE's Lorina Pisi, told the unknown repeater owner(s) or group(s) last month. "However, with constantly changing technological advances, there is no longer the same benefit to State as previously provided. Therefore, the Department no longer financially supports HAM operators [sic] radios or tenancy. If you desire to enter into a formal agreement to operate and maintain said equipment, you must complete and submit attached collocation application along with fee as outlined on page one of application. There is cost associated with getting an agreement in place."

It's not clear to whom Pisi's memo was addressed, because any name or names were redacted from the version of the memo that is being circulated. ARRL reached out to Pisi but has not heard back.

ARRL officials who have also looked into the situation agree that it's been blown out of proportion by parties with their own agendas.

"The State of California has not made any determination we can find 'that Ham Radio [is] no longer a benefit,'" Pacific Division Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, is quoted on the Sacramento Valley Section website. "What happened is that CAL FIRE has transferred responsibility for its communications sites to its property management department. That department has the task of evaluating each site, its condition, use, and tenants. If a repeater not known to be associated with the emergency management function of a local jurisdiction is found in a CAL FIRE vault, the default action is to move it out or subject it to commercial rental rates."

ARRL Southwestern Division Director Dick Norton, N6AA, has been responding to inquiries with the same message

 

[Dozdoats]

Hell, CA don't need no emergency comms. They outlawed emergencies!

 

[Publius]

The will regret this move yet. Ham radio operators are resourceful and will find a way around this issue in short order.

 

[Millwright]

Effectively, a new landlord is cleaning house.

They are gonna raise some revenue and be the heroes.

"What happened is that CAL FIRE has transferred responsibility for its communications sites to its property management department. That department has the task of evaluating each site, its condition, use, and tenants. If a repeater not known to be associated with the emergency management function of a local jurisdiction is found in a CAL FIRE vault, the default action is to move it out or subject it to commercial rental rates."