FCC Slaps Down Amateur Emcomm

I gave this one the once over and filed it when it came through my email last week, but the recent storm of postings and comments elsewhere got me to look it over again.  On October 20th the FCC issued Public Notice DA 09-2259 warning that no one in a paid emergency services position may operate on the ham bands during drills or other non-emergency operations.  While the lawyers will have to argue over the definition of “pecuniary interests”, the FCC is sending a clear message that they see Amateur Radio as a hobby, not an emergency communications service.  We talked about this issue in past classes where dispatchers and other government employees received their ham licenses.  We assumed that it was ok for these folks to use amateur radio on shift, as long as it was not their primary job responsibility.   DA 09-2259 says we were wrong.  If you are an emergency services employee you can not use the ham bands for drills or other related activities while you are on the clock unless there is a bona-fide emergency, OR you have received a dispensation from the FCC.  Keep an eye on this one.