DNC ham band pirates fail to show

If there were any protesters trying to use ham radio to coordinate their attempts to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Denver, nobody in the area heard them.

As reported last week, Denver ARES District 22 Operations Officer Dan Meyer, N0PUF, had posted a web notice that some websites set up by protesters coming to the convention had suggested protesters use ham radio rather than FRS, GMRS or CB to communicate. Meyer had said that Denver area hams needed to be ready to T-hunt down any illegal transmissions.

But preliminary reports indicate that the protesters never bothered to read their own websites when it comes to talking to advice on talking to one another by radio. About the only RF exposure they have gotten has been on the various television news reports and that’s been minimal at best.

As we go to air there have been no reports of protesters tying up any VHF frequency nor trying to communicate with other protesters over any Denver area repeater. Most suspect that they are likely using cellphones to communicate although there is no way to know for certain.

Upcoming this week is the Republican National Convention in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. It will be interesting to see if any protesters take to the ham bands there.

Source: ARNewsline™