FCC issues Civil Unrest CommunicAtions Statement

[WA2SQQ]

ABC NEWS just had a story aimed at “ham radio operators and the general public” who use radio services to communicate any activity aimed at creating civil unrest. They emphasized that encrypted communications are prohibited and that they are actively monitoring. Seriously?

Here’s the story from from another source
https://www.newsweek.com/fcc-warns-against-using-radio-facilitate-criminal-acts-ahead-biden-inauguration-1562239

https://www.fcc.gov/document/amateur-personal-radio-users-reminded-not-use-radios-crimes

[W1ITT]

Those links came up on the ARRL site today (Sunday), followed closely by a statement from the League that amateur radio is all about public service and so on. 
In recent years, some of the doomsday prepper crowd has been suggesting that people get Technician amateur licenses because they are so easy to get, you can do it in a day with the memorization sessions, and you don't have to learn Morse code any more.  So, along with the folks who want to strap a couple Baofengs on their belt and save the world, I wouldn't be surprised if we do have a few people hoping to use amateur radio for "tactical" communications.   I suspect their encryption will be largely limited to pig-latin.  And, given the easy availability of cheap radios, there will be some unlicensed folks playing radio too.

But the trouble is that we will all get tarred with the same brush when some bozo gets caught doing something he ought not to do.  A couple guys with HTs will blow up a mailbox and, to appear to be "doing something", there will be an executive order shutting us down "for the duration", as FDR did after Pearl Harbor Day.    Then general public views hams as a bit eccentric at best, and they won't miss us.
On that happy note....
73 de Norm W1ITT

[Steve - K4HX]

Geez. More fearmongering. Stop falling for it.

[W3SLK]

They won't get me until they pry the microphone from my cold dead hand!   

[KA3EKH]

received this this morning, most broadcasters do a weekly test of there EAS equipment on Wednesdays.

Dear Delaware Broadcasters and Cable members:

As a courtesy to our listening and viewing public, kindly refrain from transmitting any Emergency Alert System (EAS) tests on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021. 
The Delaware Emergency Communications Committee has contacted the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, Wakefield, and Sterling and they have agreed to postpone their regular Wednesday NWS test until Thursday.
There is concern testing may cause confusion to the public.  With the current political climate, we don't need to add to the angst.

Walt Palmer (WGMD)
Chair - Delaware Emergency Communications Committee

As everyone knows, Delaware is a hotbed of insurrection. A ill timed EAS test may start a revolution!

[Chuck...K1KW]

Good grief!!  Snowflakes!

[Opcom]

it's not worth paying any attention to. It's the lowest common denominator LOL.