HAM’S LIFE

In 1904 Christian Hülsmeyer received a patent on a device that could detect ships in a dense fog. The device used radio wave reflections and was called a telemobiloscope. While it could detect the presence of a ship it was unable to determine the distance, course, speed, or any other pertinent information; it could only detect a presence of a ship.

By the 1930’s several countries, working on Telsa’s 1917 findings, to develop a system using reflected radio waves to fill in the gaps that the telemobiloscope left out. The British called it RDF (radio direction finding) but in 1941 the United States coined the term which would stick and become universally known as the RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging). The development radar was highly escalated by World War II.

By 1950 the United States felt threatened by Russia and the Russians felt threatened by the United States thus was born the technology race for defense and offensive weapons by both countries to protect their country from the other. This became known as the Cold War.

The United States (I don’t know but I assume the Russians also) built a radar system that could detect hostel aircraft approaching its boarder. The system would have given plenty of warning against a bomber attack but when the Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) were developed along with submarine launched missiles and the system could not give sufficient warning against these menaces.

The United States developed a new system which would meet the new threats. It was called Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System (PAVE PAWS) [the real origin or real meaning of the PAVE portion of the acronym seems to have some questions].

Some of you may be wondering how ham radio fits in all of this. The United States Air Force suspect some of our 70 cm repeaters are interfering with the PAVE PAWS system. Those repeater sites have been required to reduce their output power and there are hams who do not think they should have to do this.

I personally live under the shadow of the west coast PAVE PAWS site. On a clear day I can easily see it with the naked eye from my home. As a ham radio operator in the middle of the affected area I am one who will feel the direct impact of the outcome of this issue. But the results of this issue could have far grater consequences then just the hams in Northern California and a few New England states. This could directly affect the safety of everyone in the United States and many other countries who are depending on us for protection. It could also affect Canada and Mexico because nuclear fallout and biological agencies do not recognize country boundaries.

I for one firmly believe that if the 70 cm band operation or any other band operation is interfering with the defense of the United States or any other non aggressive nation then those of us who live in the area of influence should be more then willing to discontinue operations on these frequencies. There could be very little time to react to an incoming missile and the Air Force needs all the advance warning possible. But on the other hand if the Air Force is not telling us the truth, which would not be the first time, then I would find it very irritating (like the Air Force rally cares how irritated I am). Fortunately we have the ARRL looking out for our interest and lets hope the right solution if found.