For the love of all that is good and Holy, why are there special license plates for Amateur Radio operators?
For those of you who have never seen these before, certain states have license plates for people who operate Ham Radios. I don't know what states do it, all I know is I have seen a bunch of them, and their numbers are growing. Why? I do not know.
Like most things in this world, I would like to think there is a reason behind this. Unfortunately, I can not come up with one. Why - WHY - would someone have a plate that alert the world to their participation of this most geeky of hobbies.
First off - why should this designation be on your vehicle? Presumably, they are not operating their radio while driving. This is a big assumption I am making. I also assume they are not driving to some sort of emergency where a one-way transmission is needed. It is interesting, since basically everyone in this country has a mobile phone, there really does not seem to be much use for the one way radio. Also barring some post WWIII type apocalypse, the need for such technology will never occur again. So why?
The only two reasons I could come up with both have to do with mating - either it is to prevent or encourage it. My first thought is the license must be being used to stigmatize and prevent mating opportunities for Ham Radio operators. By branding them with this plate, we will in effect eradicate the "Ham Radio" gene by condemning all of its carriers. The other options - encouraging breeders - is far more frightening. It means that there is a segment of the female population that is actually attracted to these guys (because you know only guys own and operate Ham Radios. Its a law actually. Somewhere in the Constitution - towards the back). This creates some very frightening possibilities and pick up lines. Imagine, somewhere in this great country a woman is actually being turned on by lines like:
"We must be on the same frequency because I am tuning you in."
"My call letters are U&ME"
"My station is tuned to love, baby!"
It doesn't present a pretty picture for the future of our society. So before I call for a general uprising and revolt against anyone who has a Amateur Radio plate, I am asking for anyone with knowledge on this topic to enlighten me.
Operators are standing by.
3 comments:
Well, Jim, there are a number of reasons to have your amateur callsign as your license plate.
Partly it's vanity, just like any number of personalized plates (MY VETTE, BIG DUDE, etc.) or group plates (here in Pennsylvania, you can get plates indicating you're an alumnus of many of our colleges).
More practically, it indicates to emergency authorities that you might be able to help. Contrary to your statement, emergencies that destroy or overwhelm conventional communication methods are still quite common. Remember Katrina? the floods in Oregon last winter? Sept. 11?
And cell phones? Leave the Interstate in central PA, the mountains of WV, or western VA, and see what use a cell phone has.
73,
Dave KQ3T
Jim,
Roughly 15% of the US Hams are female. My wife picked up the hobby shortly after I did and is currently president of our local club.
Emergency communications is one focus of our club. It should be noted that all hams who participate in this activity are fulfilling the public service aspect of our hobby and do so without compensation. In fact, no ham can receive compensation for any service performed under Part 97 of the FCC rules governing Amateur Radio.
And yes, we do have plates with our respective callsigns.
Thanks for listening.
73,
Jan WA6WTF
... and quit acting like you haven't tried to use those lines yourself.
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