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@ix.netcom.com, wa6mbz@ix.netcom.com, wa6mbz@sbarc.org, wa6mbz@arrl.net, wa6mbz@qsl.net, wa6mbz@hfradio.org, mike.j@worldnet.att.net, wa6mbz@worldnet.att.net, and m.jogoleff@worldnet.att.net, wa6mbz@compuserve.com, 103225.3614@compuserve.com, wa6mbz@netzero.net, wa6mbz@juno.com, mike_j@juno.com, wa6mbz@yahoo.com, wa6mbz@excite.com, wa6mbz@angelfire.com, wa6mbz@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