Subject: WX Receivers and Repeaters retransmitting non-weather alerts.
From: "D. Stussy"
Date: 7/19/2004 2:45 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

On Sun, 17 Jul 2004, Steve Robeson, K4CAP wrote:

The WX-200 unit that the original forum was about is a piece of equipment
that
is meant to be interfaced to an amateur repeater that listens to the WX
station
and DOES decode SAME codes. Amber Alerts are among the non-weather events
that
can be transmitted over the WX stations with a SAME code of "CAE" - and that
is
a message conveying a direct threat to a [specific] life.

OK, Dieter...We can use that rationale to put all sorts of interfaces on
Amateur Repeaters.

Let's put an automatic alarm on the repeater anytime an aircraft ELT
squawks.

We can also inlcude EPIRB's.

Then we'll also put a receiver to pick up local "Medic Alert" pendants for
the elderly who have fallen at home.

We can then include an alarm for "LOW-JAC" systems...Anytime someone's
stolen HUMMER is within earshot of the repreater we'll get an alarm for that.

While we're at it, let's demand a smoke alarm in microwaves that tell us
when popcorn is about to go critical mass, and we can then shock our neighbors
with how fast we called 9-1-1.

We can also put FRS/GMRS monitors on our Amateur repeaters so any time
one of then transmits a LITZ tone, we get the beep.

You getting the picture of where things go if you open that
floodgate...?!?!

The FCC response indicates that there is no problem with the WEATHER RELATED
alerts, but apparently states that non-weather related messages that still
represent content regarding a threat to life or property are a violation,
even
considering 47 CFR 97.403.

More people are killed by bad weather every year other than auto
accidents. It can drop in on you even if you're in your own home watching
re-runs of "Twister"...

I don't see how ANYTHING can be more important that someone's life.
Apparently, William Cross at the FCC thinks that there is, but doesn't
explain
himself.

I think the above explained it perfectly well.

You want to add an "Amber Alert" to the repeater...?!?! Do it with a
controller card that sends "AE" so those who want to get involved and hear the
broadcast can tune in.

No, I leave it to YOU to get the rules ammended to what YOU want.
Right now automatic rebroadcast of NWS transmissions is NOT legal.

Your citation?

How are you going to meet the criteria of "occassional retransmission"
otherwise, Dieter?

A control operator needs to hear it, decide it's valid, then put it on the
air.

Otherwise you just have a system that breaks in whenever IT wants to,
regardless of what traffic may already be on there.

What I see in .113(e) is that CONTINUOUS retransmission of NWS signals are
not
legal, but occasional retransmission for use by amateur stations IS
permitted.
The rule makes NO reference to the type of control - automatic or manual.

I reiterate...HOW do you meet the prerequisite of "occassional" if the
repeater is set to retansmit any SAME alert "automatically"...????

Steve, K4YZ