I can think of a few reasons:- 1. They aren't interested in the comms side of these events. They just want to it work and turn their internal resources to whatever type of event it is. 2. CB, regardless if 27MHz or UHF would have great difficulty covering the area required during many (most?) of these events. You should know this. 3. CB repeaters are often supplied by CRARC, but are almost instant magnets for other "traffic". Have you ever listened to a UHF repeater near a population centre? Don't do it with your mother present.. 4. They could use mobile phones in some instances, as long as they have coverage and could absorb the costs. This would start to get very expensive given the short messages typical of these events (flagfall costs). 5. These groups like us for other reasons too. They need extra people and our mob free up their limited volunteer pool for other things.
And what do the radio people get out of it? 1. Some people like operating equipment, and these events are a good excuse to actually do it. I like operating in the great outdoors, for instance. 2. Sometimes the club gets a donation. WICEN is the main reason we only pay $30 per year. We don't get a donation for everything, but some groups are good to us.
There's probably many more reasons, but why don't you put your hand up and see for yourself?
Steve (VK2ZSZ)
On 12/03/2011 01:13 PM, Barry Matson wrote:
Why do we bother with this? This is what the Citizens Band was created for. Why can't they do their communications for themselves.
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