I'm a ham and a bicyclist. I got the cops called on me for riding my bicycle through the parking of the hospital where I work. It was a sunny day and I was wearing a bright green safety vest at the time. The responding officer insisted that my behavior was indeed suspicious. Thank God I didn't have my HT on my belt too! 😕
Crazy sometimes. Luckily, these 2 were okay with what I was doing. I watched them watch me for probably a half hour as the were hiking along the bluff to get to me. They stopped about every 5 minutes to take another look through their binoculars. LOL! Stay safe! 73 de W6OBB
I was at US-3407 Benicia State Recreation Area. I had my Chameleon TDL up on a 25’ mast. People would hike through the parking lot area I was at, I was setup on a picnic table in the shade about 20’ from the antenna and the truck. Some of the people were really nice would say hello. One lady was sneaking around and photographed me. Shortly after that a Benica Police officer showed up ask what I was doing asked for my ID, the second Officer showed up as he rounded the corner he saw my antenna and said he’s doing Ham Radio. Both are nice guys and all went well!!! People are crazy!!!
Very true! I am an amateur landscape photographer. One time the police were called on me because I "looked suspicious". I asked them to elaborate on that, and they could not. I Invited to show them all of the pictures on my camera which were trees and sunsets. Law enforcement time wasted, what a shame
Or at least educate the dumb Karen so she knows that nothing illegal is going on. Welcome to the Soviet Socialist Republic of Amerika. A nation of, by and for busybodies.
Unfortunately, with the way the legal system is today, she'd get out on ROR within an hour of getting to the jail, and the charges would likely get dismissed before any real consequences.
I have had all kinds of reactions with SOTA and POTA. I have even had someone think I was some kind of t*rrorist. So annoying. Did not have that issue in Portugal -- people just ignored me there or wondered if I was fishing.
What a good ambassador for ham radio. Next time, invite them to the hobby, a brochure, etc. Emergency responders are most likely to get their ham license.
Great when people show an interest in what Amateurs are doing on the radio. Who knows they might be the next generation of radio operators so it's what the hobby needs. Good job, 73 de 2E0LVG
Yes, be nice and respectful to others. I've had a lot of people over the years stop and ask what I'm doing. I always take time to explain. I even had another HAM a while back that had never heard of POTA sit with me. He said he loved the idea because he was from the Bay Area and lived in a multi story apartment building with limited capability to put up an antenna. He said he was going to start trying POTA so he could play radio again. Thanks for watching! 73
One time, at US-1573 in MD, the park ranger saw me assembling my hamstick and asked me if I was "going fishing." I told him,"yes, sort of, same type of activity, you spend a lot of time and don't necessarily catch anything." He laughed and went about his business. Weeks later, a Natural Resouces police officer stopped to ask if I was working anyone. He clearly was familiar with ham radio; we spoke briefly and he moved on. Those are my only two encounters with park officials, and both were very cordial. 73, Mike K3CXG
I saw them from about 1/2 mile away start checking me out with their binoculars. LOL! They would stop about every 100 yards closer and look again until they got to me.
We were told we could not activate US-7150 Fort William Henry in Mid Coast Maine back in May 2024 because we did not obtain an activity permit with proof of liability insurance, did say we could operate from the vehicle with antennas attached to the vehicle., we passed. We have activated that park at least five times in the past without issues. 73 de KB1TCD
@@W6OBB Warden has serious issues, a few months later the YL, grandson and I where fishing at the same park, he knew better than to come talk to us! Instead he interrupted a memorial service people where having, don't think he gave them a hard time about throwing the ashes on the sea but he went there to interrupt, then he went and interrupted another family that was trying to fish. Summer's gone, he'll probably leave us alone now! 73 de KB1TCD
Those were cooliooo Law Enforcers just doing their Job a let you do your Thing. Wish we had more of these People but unfortunately the Opposite is often the Case. 73 de from southwest Germany 💯👍
@@W6OBB The options are endless, I was at a small public park so I could get on 160 with a monster antenna, a lady asked what I was doing and I said I was opening a portal to Uranus.
LOL! I did for most of my HAM radio time. Only thing that got me out was I have a very high noise level at my home now and antenna restrictions so that got me into POTA and SOTA and I love it now. Nothing like a RF quite zone with S0 noise. Thanks for watching! 73
I'm a ham and a bicyclist. I got the cops called on me for riding my bicycle through the parking of the hospital where I work. It was a sunny day and I was wearing a bright green safety vest at the time. The responding officer insisted that my behavior was indeed suspicious. Thank God I didn't have my HT on my belt too! 😕
Crazy sometimes. Luckily, these 2 were okay with what I was doing. I watched them watch me for probably a half hour as the were hiking along the bluff to get to me. They stopped about every 5 minutes to take another look through their binoculars. LOL! Stay safe! 73 de W6OBB
You should have asked the cop if being suspicious is a misdemeanor or a felony.
I was at US-3407 Benicia State Recreation Area. I had my Chameleon TDL up on a 25’ mast. People would hike through the parking lot area I was at, I was setup on a picnic table in the shade about 20’ from the antenna and the truck. Some of the people were really nice would say hello. One lady was sneaking around and photographed me. Shortly after that a Benica Police officer showed up ask what I was doing asked for my ID, the second Officer showed up as he rounded the corner he saw my antenna and said he’s doing Ham Radio. Both are nice guys and all went well!!! People are crazy!!!
I lived in Benicia for 12 years. Great police, busy body residents.
The police should have arrested that woman for abusing the emergency dispatch system.
All I can think of is an old Jim Rome show - "do you want us to come over and shoot her?" LMFAO
Very true! I am an amateur landscape photographer. One time the police were called on me because I "looked suspicious". I asked them to elaborate on that, and they could not. I Invited to show them all of the pictures on my camera which were trees and sunsets. Law enforcement time wasted, what a shame
Or at least educate the dumb Karen so she knows that nothing illegal is going on. Welcome to the Soviet Socialist Republic of Amerika. A nation of, by and for busybodies.
Welcome to my world. I get the cops called on me all the time for just sitting on a park bench.
Unfortunately, with the way the legal system is today, she'd get out on ROR within an hour of getting to the jail, and the charges would likely get dismissed before any real consequences.
I have had all kinds of reactions with SOTA and POTA. I have even had someone think I was some kind of t*rrorist. So annoying. Did not have that issue in Portugal -- people just ignored me there or wondered if I was fishing.
I had Fish and Game think for a moment I was a while back. LOL! 73
Great, when I read the title I expected problems but this is how it should go.
Yeah, these 2 were really cool. Thanks for watching and commenting. Have a good one. 73
What a good ambassador for ham radio. Next time, invite them to the hobby, a brochure, etc. Emergency responders are most likely to get their ham license.
Great idea! I'm going to start bringing some brochures with me. 73
Nice , positive encounter. 👍
Great when people show an interest in what Amateurs are doing on the radio. Who knows they might be the next generation of radio operators so it's what the hobby needs. Good job, 73 de 2E0LVG
Great job. Most people I speak with are very interested in what I do with the radios. Number one rule, don't be a jerk.
Yes, be nice and respectful to others. I've had a lot of people over the years stop and ask what I'm doing. I always take time to explain. I even had another HAM a while back that had never heard of POTA sit with me. He said he loved the idea because he was from the Bay Area and lived in a multi story apartment building with limited capability to put up an antenna. He said he was going to start trying POTA so he could play radio again. Thanks for watching! 73
That was a great contact, (obviously not over rf) 😂
Got a few eyeball QSOs in the log. LOL
Ho comme vous avez de la chance, en France ils sont beaucoup moins souriants ! Toutes mes 73 et bonne activation !! Jérémy F8DBN
Thanks for watching! 73 de W6OBB
One time, at US-1573 in MD, the park ranger saw me assembling my hamstick and asked me if I was "going fishing." I told him,"yes, sort of, same type of activity, you spend a lot of time and don't necessarily catch anything." He laughed and went about his business. Weeks later, a Natural Resouces police officer stopped to ask if I was working anyone. He clearly was familiar with ham radio; we spoke briefly and he moved on. Those are my only two encounters with park officials, and both were very cordial. 73, Mike K3CXG
Usually, if you're nice, they're cool. I've only had a few encounters. 73 from California!
Great spot. Maybe the fish and game/law get excited because of the noise?
I saw them from about 1/2 mile away start checking me out with their binoculars. LOL! They would stop about every 100 yards closer and look again until they got to me.
At least they were cool about it - seeing videos nowadays its hard to assume otherwise!
Yes. At first, I was like, here we go..... But they were very nice. Thanks for watching! 73
Very cool cops and thanks for promoting the hobby
You bet, 73 de W6OBB!
You didn't understand their pushing the need for a "PERMIT" for research. Or did You ......
Diving target rock , one of the otters swam up to us and the “Otter Karen’s “ lost thier minds…..
Karen's LOL!!! It's always the Karen's!
Beautiful activation spot with the roar of the ocean.
I love it. Waves make it hard to hear the radio though. LOL 73
So you got Art Bell's call sign, cool.
Yes, I guess I got drawn. About 5 people I think applied for it and I ended up getting it. I try to keep active so it stays on the air. 73
Those bros were max chillax.
Yes, they're pretty cool!
This I the positive side of POTA. We need more of these activations. Excellent!
73 de NM9X
Thanks! Hope to hear ya on the air. 73 de W6OBB
Wow that's a beautiful place. No wonder why i have contacted it so much. Lol 😁
Hey, David! K-1148 Park Hunting Leader!!! LOL! I might do some SOTA this weekend. 73
@@W6OBB If i ever figure out their website i would do SOTA also.lol
@KO4GAR I was interviewed on a Podcast a while ago and I think I talked about how their website is confusing.
We were told we could not activate US-7150 Fort William Henry in Mid Coast Maine back in May 2024 because we did not obtain an activity permit with proof of liability insurance, did say we could operate from the vehicle with antennas attached to the vehicle., we passed. We have activated that park at least five times in the past without issues.
73 de KB1TCD
Did you contact anyone to get it straightened out? That's frustrating.
@@W6OBB Warden has serious issues, a few months later the YL, grandson and I where fishing at the same park, he knew better than to come talk to us! Instead he interrupted a memorial service people where having, don't think he gave them a hard time about throwing the ashes on the sea but he went there to interrupt, then he went and interrupted another family that was trying to fish.
Summer's gone, he'll probably leave us alone now! 73 de KB1TCD
Those were cooliooo Law Enforcers just doing their Job a let you do your Thing. Wish we had more of these People but unfortunately the Opposite is often the Case. 73 de from southwest Germany 💯👍
Very true. Thanks for watching! 73
So u are using arts old call. Good luck with that vanity call.
People think I am hunting for aliens.
I've got Storm Chaser a few times. 😅
I am hunting aliens but no luck so far...... 😬
@@GoonyMclinux When people ask, that's what I'm telling them from now on. I'm hunting for spaceships! 🤣
@@W6OBB The options are endless, I was at a small public park so I could get on 160 with a monster antenna, a lady asked what I was doing and I said I was opening a portal to Uranus.
😂🤣@@GoonyMclinux
Most amateur operators set at home? I'll have you know I resemble that comment.
LOL! I did for most of my HAM radio time. Only thing that got me out was I have a very high noise level at my home now and antenna restrictions so that got me into POTA and SOTA and I love it now. Nothing like a RF quite zone with S0 noise. Thanks for watching! 73
Nothing to fine you for. Onto their next victim
ABs old call
That’s a beautiful area!
Thanks! It's my favorite place to operate portable from. 73
the coax is a rg213??
Yes, it is.
Wery nice bulky but god low los
I dunno...You look like that suspicious guy that is always hanging around Col. Allensworth SHP.
LOL! Haven't been to that park yet. Have to check it out. Doesn't look too far away.
smh
w60bb.isnt that art bells old call.
Why, yes, it is! 73 de W6OBB