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Date: 03-05-97 (07:13)
From: William Viets
  To: John Fender
Subj: NO ExemptIons
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WV-@>
MSGID: 1:109/459 000bc2d0
  -@>(Previous Subject was "RE: HAPPENINGS")
WV-@>Hi, John -- I addressed this note to you but it is really for anyone
  -@>interested in the news media/scanner use/abuse chat which has resulted
  -@>in the posting of some BAD info in this conference.  In an attempt to
  -@>set the record straight, clear the air, and return some modicum of
  -@>credibility here, let me start with part of Glen Harness's recent
  -@>message to you:
WV-@>JF>-> ... You now hear radio transmissions between drivers and crew
  -@>JF>-> chiefs during NASCAR races shown on TV.  They've gotten prior
  -@>JF>-> permission the team to not only monitor those transmissions,
  -@>JF>-> but rebroadcast them...
I won't continue the entire message, but I just wonder what the scanner
hobbyist has bothered to do in terms of trying to counter the various
lobbies in Washington that are trying with every penny they can muster
to totally remove scanners from the market and the shelves of stores?
Personally, I continually write my congressman (Rep Bob Barr), my
senator (Sen Paul Coverdell) and regularly call their offices on this
matter.  I send them background material on further restrictions on
scanner to support my argument all time trying to be respectful as
possible over what I consider to be a hot issue.  And it is.  Here in
Atlanta I gave television interviews (as short as they were) outlining
the hobbyist position and the current law.  I further warned of future
and totally unnecessary restrictions.
I constantly write "Letters to the Editor".  Now for those who were
around here in 1994 and recall all the bru-ha-ha and crying over
removing easily modifiable scanners by the FCC, it was recommended by
Bill Cheek, myself, and a whole host of people I can't currently recall
to get politically active and write Washington.  I not only wrote
Washington in protest of the 800-cell block, but spoke to every ham
radio club and scanner listener I could find.  We all know where that
ended up.
My point here ladies and gentlemen, is that if you want to keep your
radios the solution is simple.  You are going to _HAVE_ to get off your
butts, start a writing campaign, talk to your neighbors and friends as
well as ham radio people who also have generally more than one scanner
and get your elected reps in Washington to stop what they are doing and
listen.  Go to where ever your congressman is holding a town-hall
meeting and ask him what he/she plans to do on this issue.  And keep
track of how they vote.
Putting it mildly, if we want to keep our scanner radios you are going
to have to put your asses on the line here because if you don't,
scanning as you have known it is lost.  And that's a fact!  Bill Cheek,
myself, Grove Enterprises, POPCOMM, et all can't do it alone.  There are
millions of scanners out there and people who listen.  If you want your
right to listen to what you want to unmolested by more Big-Brother
sticking their noses into your personal affairs then you must get active
and in some rare cases, "In Your Face" with the people who want to see
these radios removed.
Whether or not scanners are eventually kept on the market is up to you.
Roger Cravens
Atlanta, GA
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 þ QMPro 1.52 þ Liberty is not an option... only a condition to be lost!
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