MARA

[AB4AL]

Too bad MARA didn't work.  It may have been a good idea but lacked understanding as to the intent and purpose of emergency communications within the Church community.  I was never affiliated with MARA so I am only guessing.

Yes, we need the insight and experience of the radio operator to facilitate efficient and proper communications.

It is true that the licensed radio operator is the entity who is responsible under the law concerning the content of the communications as spelled out under part 97 of the Federal Communications Commission.
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/

All that said it is therefore the responsibility of the licensed radio operator to advise the Priesthood leadership of the proper operation as delineated under part 97, if the leadership authority is not licensed by the FCC or is a new operator lacking experience with the capabilities and restrictions of the utilization of the Amateur Radio frequencies.

The organization and implementation of emergency communications in the Church in congruence with the legal and technical constraints allowed to the licensee by the FCC therefore becomes a joint effort between the organization and the radio operator with a properly informed Priesthood leader in charge.

Bear in mind that the FCC only deals with the licensee and the penalties for improper use may result in a fine as great as $10,000 or up to 10 years in jail, equipment confiscated and loss of his/her license.

I have had the opportunity to lend assistance with the Church in understanding the capabilities of radio communications both in its application for net-working and the legal aspects and have found that simply understanding what can be accomplished solves a lot of misunderstanding by all parties involved.

We need much greater participation in emergency awareness within the community and the Church.

I live in the San Francisco Bay area and we are overdue for an earthquake that will be far worse then the 1906 quake.

Bob- AB4AL   

[WA7ZBO]

"Too bad MARA didn't work.  It may have been a good idea but lacked understanding as to the intent and purpose of emergency communications within the Church community."

Sorry Bob, you missed this one by a mile. I was a part of MARA and the church's first response team from the beginning and we all were very much aware of our role. Our guys broke new roads of communications around the world handling hundreds of messages back and forth between church leaders and not only missionaries but disaster stuck families in other countries. Working hand in hand with programs you have never heard of like Operation Spearhead, we were able to bring rapid response to hard hit areas.
During the Mexico City earthquake, it was our station on the top floor of the church office building that gave the only communications between the Brethren and the Temple President in Mexico City. Did you know that the gates were opened daily so that the local non members could get water out of the Temple fountain?
Sorry Bob but we ate and slept under the direct direction of the First Presidency and other authorities. You really cannot understand the problems we encountered unless you spend time working in the Church Office Building with the personalities you encounter there. Yet I do not regret any of the hours or material I donated to building Store House stations. We did good.