Today, I emailed Tom Cross, KN6VV, about the 911
incident at the May SBARC General Meeting, and
here is what he had to say.
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73 de 'Jug' - - - WA6MBZ
Michael P. Jogoleff, 1324 Panchita Place,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103-2223
Tels: 805-560-0605 voice, 805-966-1598 fax.
Email:
mike-j(a)ix.netcom.com, wa6mbz(a)ix.netcom.com,
wa6mbz(a)sbarc.org, wa6mbz(a)arrl.net,
wa6mbz(a)qsl.net, wa6mbz(a)hfradio.org,
mike.j(a)worldnet.att.net, wa6mbz(a)worldnet.att.net,
and m.jogoleff(a)worldnet.att.net,
wa6mbz(a)compuserve.com, 103225.3614(a)compuserve.com,
wa6mbz(a)netzero.net,
wa6mbz(a)juno.com, mike_j(a)juno.com,
wa6mbz(a)yahoo.com, wa6mbz(a)excite.com,
wa6mbz(a)angelfire.com, wa6mbz(a)hotmail.com.
Many many thanks !!!! !! .end (2002-04-15)
Hi Jug,
Just happened to be on the keyboard when your email arrived!
I was sorry to hear of Paul-W6VLM. How sad to hear that!
Was he an older person? I did not know him.
I remember Paul-W1PR but I did not know the other doctor you
mentioned. I do remember Paul-W1PR being a big DX chaser on the
HF bands along with Kip-K1KIP.
About using 911, I use to call in emergencies, drunk drivers,
accidents etc. all the time since I drive home at late hours etc.
from airports but the 911 operators were so slow, dumb, or
something and never did anything about it that I just gave up
ever calling them no matter how bad the emergency. After a
number of years of doing nothing, I became uncomfortable driving
past a drunk driver, witness to an accident etc and not reporting
it. I've learned something since then about using 911 in the 10
years I've had a cell phone. I think it may apply to your area as
well, not sure. If I need for example the local city police to
report something, I will call 911 and I tell the 911 operator to
connect me directly to the Loveland City Police. I NEVER talk to
the 911 operators if at all possible. It is like spitting into
the wind! If I do not do this but tell the 911 operator my
emergency, this 911 operator then has to call the police anyway
then relay everything I just said to them. Also talking direct to
the proper agency there is less chance of error in relay plus the
police dispatcher (or other agency) will usually be more qualified
to handle the emergency! While I'm thankful for the 911 operators
being there, they are usually a low qualified type position and
often "filter" info they themselves feel is not important to them.
I simply tell the 911 operator "connect me to ________" then talk
direct with them.
My last 911 call was driving through the town of Longmont, CO
about 30 minutes south of our home. I called the 911 operator and
asked "Connect me to the Longmont Police Dept.". When the police
dispatcher answered seconds later, I reported a drunk driver all
over the road late at night and nearly hitting several cars. He
had just passed us at a high rate of speed! The police knew there
was a drunk driver around because many called the 911 operator to
report this guy but they reported it to the 911 operator with
location and hung up. When the police got the report from the 911
operator it was already old and the location was no good! They
were very fustrated as they could not find this guy! In my case
I was talking live to the dispatcher and relayed his exact
location on line! I was able to guide the police quickly and have
the drunk pulled over in several minutes. I left my name and
number after he was pulled over and they called back later to
thank me. He was WAY over legal limit for blood alcohol.
Thanks for the update Jug and 73 for now! Tom