Dear ODV: Speaking as PRC board liaison, I will leave it up to others to decide plans for monitoring upcoming events. However, it is imperative that ARRL develop a media release ready to go that it actively opposes the use of frequencies assigned to federally licensed Amateur Radio operators by unlicensed individuals, and above all vigorously opposes the use of Amateur Radio frequencies for illegal activities. Moreover, frequencies are continually monitored, so responsible Amateur Radio operators can take measures to suspend or thwart illegal activities. Let’s face it, the body which regulates Amateur Radio has been less than favorable in its consideration of recent initiatives, lawmakers and other government officials view Amateur Radio with some skepticism, and the general pubic is increasingly unaware of what is Amateur Radio. Taking a strong stance, in my opinion, should only improve our public image. . 73 de Bill Morine, N2COP Vice Director – Roanoke Division Representing ARRL members in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia www.arrl-roanoke.org <http://www.arrl-roanoke.org/> Facebook Page: ARRL Roanoke Division ARRL – The National Association for Amateur Radio From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of rjairam@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 10:54 AM To: Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org> Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:31626] Re: IMPORTANT: Inauguration Week social unrest Hi David We should not encourage self deployment. If we are asked by local law enforcement then we should be engaged but otherwise it’s best to stay away. We should be actively asking ARES members to stay away unless officially deployed by local law enforcement (which is unlikely as this is not a communications emergency). Other than that, wideband monitoring and recording of FRS/GMRS comms would help. But I don’t really think we should go publicly asking our members to do this as it could encourage attacks against us. Actually this would be a perfect assignment for the volunteer monitors to do and coordinate through Riley Hollingsworth. They already have the tools and training. All they have to do is make recordings and keep them in case we are asked to help identify communications involved in this activity. 73 Ria N2RJ On Tue, Jan 12, 2021 at 10:31 AM Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org <mailto:dminster@arrl.org> > wrote: I know we are all busy preparing for the upcoming board meeting, but this cannot wait. We have been approached now 5 times by a reporter from CNN who is pushing the narrative that the protest turned violent at the Capitol building was well coordinated using radios, and wants to know if they were amateur radios. We’ve been in touch with the Maryland-DC Section Manager who has given Bob detailed feedback about how his team used their monitoring of simplex and repeater frequencies for situational awareness of the unrest. Nothing – absolutely nothing – was received on the frequencies monitored. Bob has provided the CNN reporter with precisely that information: hams were monitoring, situationally aware, and absolutely nothing heard on the amateur bands. The FBI has now issued warnings about expected protests and potential riots in DC as well as all 50 state capitals next week. Especially on Inauguration Day. Our EmComm served agencies are going to be on alert or on duty. I believe we have an obligation to give some kind of guidance to our members, especially given the potential widespread geographic impact of these protests. Would we encourage EmComm (ARES) members to coordinate with their local SEC’s or other leadership to know what local activity is being planned? Should we be giving guidelines with regard to what we view as being safe and acceptable situational awareness activities? Should we be encouraging members who are not ARES (or otherwise) trained to stay away from these areas? Given the high profile that handheld radios have received by the national press (including numerous images on the nightly news networks) over the past few days, I think we must take a proactive position – and keep amateur radio out of the dialog surrounding these protests or, worse, riots. Comments? _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv