To continue the thread...

'ARRL Publishing Empire LLC' looses again and Ham radio operator couch
potatoes watch TV...

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/10/prweb293047.htm

[snip]
HARTFORD, CT (PRWEB) Oct 6, 2005 - In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,
it's become clear that a major contributing factor to the tragic loss of
life was the near total breakdown of communication systems. Once
electricity, telephone, and cell phone services failed, people were unable
to let rescuers know of their dire situations -- and died as a result.

What could be a simple, instant, and virtually zero-cost solution?

"Establish a National SOS Radio Network (www.NationalSOS.com)," says Eric
Knight, CEO of UP Aerospace, Inc. (www.upaerospace.com). "There are millions
of 'Family Radio Service' or 'FRS' radios already in use by the public for
camping, boating, and hiking, and there are 675,000 licensed ham radio
operators in America -- people renown and prepared for emergency
communications. The output frequencies of FRS radios are easily received by
the radio gear ham radio operators use daily. That's the magic link in this
emergency communication strategy."

Knight went on to say, "The best part of a National SOS Radio Network is
that it wouldn't require new laws or any new legislation whatsoever. It
could go into effect, today. Once the ham radio community is made aware to
listen for the public's emergency broadcasts on an FRS frequency, the
national network will be up and running. It's as simple as that."
[snip]

So... it will be the FRS that will respond to the needs of a national
frequency for emergency communications and not the amateur community---lets
see you blame that on the loss of telegraphy.

TOM