Concern and Confusion in California’s Amateur Radio Ranks
/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 sizeable 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.
It’s not clear to whom Pisi’s memo was addressed since any name or names were redacted from the version of the memo that is being circulated. ARRL reached out to Pisi this week but has not heard back.
After receiving a lengthy communication from attorney Nathan Zeliff, K6DPS, of Shingletown, California, citing Pisi’s letter, Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko did some asking around of his own. He reported that Jim Price, the Communications Center Operation Officer for the State Office of Emergency Services, explained to him that the matter is not a new one, and the issue of repeater equipment in state radio vaults has been going on for 5 years or longer.
ARRL officials who have also looked into the situation agree that it’s been blown out of proportion by parties with their own agendas.
ARRL Southwestern Division Director Dick Norton, N6AA, has been responding to inquiries with the same message.