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Ham Radio and Trip/Traveling Privacy
Dear fellow members,
I've noticed several member stating their intentions for going on a trip, possibly an extended trip. While I personally have no problem with that, I would like to relate a story about what happened many years ago. I'm a ham radio operator, and usually talked on the local repeater during drive times (morning and afternoon commutes). Several members would some times state their intentions for traveling on the air, and would find they had been burgled upon their return home. Apparently, after several occurrences of this, we figured out someone was monitoring the repeater (hopefully not a ham radio operator) to see which houses were not occupied. I don't know if nonmembers to this forum can see posts, but if they can, I would suggest mentioning what a great trip you had, not when you will be leaving and for how long. Just an idea.
Ken
Former 2009 MB owner
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #1 –
Good suggestion Ken,
In addition, I will share that my bride likes to keep our friends and family current with our activities on Facebook.  I have an absolute rule that she does not post anything about our travels on FB until we are back home and the house is occupied.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #2 –
This is particularly true for those whose profile on this site includes a map "Where is xxxx" showing the likely location of their residence. 


Rich
2003 MB
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #3 –
One can always change one's profile to a "generic" location; it's not mandatory to activate the location map.

Frankly, I'd be more concerned about posting one's travel plans on Facebook or other "wild west" social media than on this forum.

YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #4 –
Good point.  Upon reflection I moved my 'location' to my veterinarian's office.
If you visit, PM me  for directions from there.  ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #5 –
Decades ago my neighbor had intervened for our sake while we traveled in our then Prowler TT. Neighborhood kids had jumped our fence knowing the rig had departed its berth at our residence.

This is always a concern to me. Especially while traveling solo. Not much to be done if the coach is parked at home between travels and has vacated for a week or so.

Since I installed the turret on the roof of the house, I feel much safer while away from home. 🏰

Kent

 
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Ken and Joyce  - 
Dear fellow members,
I've noticed several member stating their intentions for going on a trip, possibly an extended trip. While I personally have no problem with that, I would like to relate a story about what happened many years ago. I'm a ham radio operator, and usually talked on the local repeater during drive times (morning and afternoon commutes). Several members would some times state their intentions for traveling on the air, and would find they had been burgled upon their return home. Apparently, after several occurrences of this, we figured out someone was monitoring the repeater (hopefully not a ham radio operator) to see which houses were not occupied. I don't know if nonmembers to this forum can see posts, but if they can, I would suggest mentioning what a great trip you had, not when you will be leaving and for how long. Just an idea.
Ken

Yes, the probable reason is that if you know the call sign, you can easily look it up in FCC database which shows a physical address. I got around that by not updating my address when I moved. That reminds me, I need to renew my license this year!

FCC License Data Search

Greg
KG6ISP
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #7 –
What you've done is probably illegal.  The FCC needs to know where any licensed station is located for a variety of reasons.  Sounds like you are a little paranoid.
Rich - W7JVL - licensed since 1956
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Rich Gort  - 
What you've done is probably illegal.  The FCC needs to know where any licensed station is located for a variety of reasons.  Sounds like you are a little paranoid.
Rich - W7JVL - licensed since 1956

Nope just lazy and not active anyway. But I will update it when I renew. I’m sure the FCC has better things to do these days anyway than go after someone who failed to change their address in the database.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
 
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #9 –
Greg,
I ripped the tag off my mattress.  Think if we get caught, we might end up in the same prison cell?

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
Greg,
I ripped the tag off my mattress.  Think if we get caught, we might end up in the same prison cell?

Harold

Better keep that under wraps, Harold!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #11 –
Just updated my profile. Thank you for the insightful suggestion.
2002 TK 24ft
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #12 –
Yeah, My mom and her husband use to go around telling everyone when they would be leaving for six months (they live 6 months at her house and 6 months in his in another state).  Her house was burgled.  The burglars had plenty of time to remove her safe.....you know, the one with all the VALUABLES and the one we told her to get BOLTED down but she didn't?  We know it was the son/assistant of the electrician that came in to do some work because no one else had been in that room to know where the safe was (and some other things I won't mention here), but she could never prove it. Anyway, after that, she and her husband went around telling everyone how they were burgled while they were gone for the 6 months like they do every year.  BTW, both houses have now been burglarized. Some people never learn. :-((
SoCal-Gal  (Tracy)
1991 26.5 RB
Previous 1988 22’ LD Multi plan
Previous 1992 Six-pack Camper
Spare the sealant, spoil the job.
Travelers: Tracy, spouse Anthony, Coton de Tulear, Gabby and parrotlet, Indigo
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #13 –
"The FCC needs to know..."

Tell them to go pound sand! They need that like the IRS needs..., the BATF needs..., etc. Not in this day and age!
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Rich Gort  - 
What you've done is probably illegal.  The FCC needs to know where any licensed station is located for a variety of reasons.  Sounds like you are a little paranoid.
Rich - W7JVL - licensed since 1956

Not true.  The FCC only requires an address where they can contact you, not the actual station location.  Many hams use a P.O. Box or a mail forwarding address, as I do.  As of late, the FCC now requires an email address since all communication from the FCC is via email. 

- John

Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #15 –
Greg, bad news.  Your renewal will now cost $35.  Change of address is still free. (Good news for me,  my GMRS license renewal dropped from $70 to $35)
Joel
WB6GUY (took my dad's callsign, which he in turn took from my mom)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #16 –
Bummer, Joel. Guess I’ll pay it though since I would like to start actually using it. We have a Ham club here in our community so I need to hook up with those folks.

 I also had a GROL license when I worked for SLO County but I suspect it has expired. Went to this class in Tomales, Ca.  Cute little town in the middle of nowhere but has a wonderful bakery.

http://www.elkinstraining.com/pdfs/FCC_GROLSchedulev3.pdf

Loading interface...

Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #17 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
Greg, bad news.  Your renewal will now cost $35.

I hadn’t heard that the FCC license fee proposal had been finalized.  Of course free is better than $35 but I’m glad that the FCC settled on a lower price than the original $50 proposal.  The fear was that $50 may discourage younger (teenage) applicants.  It’s a great hobby and many older hams are more than willing to donate equipment to the younger hams just starting out.

- John
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #18 –
Don't know if this is the right place for this discussion, but since several of us are hams and there seems to be some confusion, I will give you my understanding of the rules.  When you are first licensed, you are actually given two licenses, an operator license and a station license.  The station license has the callsign you are given.  The operator license has no callsign, just the privileges to operate any ham station within the limits of your operator's license. FCC needs the location of the station license, not the operators location.  That's why, when you visit a friend's station, you use his station call letters.  When you operate away from your station license location, you operate portable, or mobile.
Rich - W7JVL
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: A Suggestion
Reply #19 –
Since most of the post are of ham radio content, I'll turn the thread into a ham radio discussion.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Ham Radio and Trip/Traveling Privacy
Reply #20 –
Quote from: Rich Gort  - 
Don't know if this is the right place for this discussion, but since several of us are hams and there seems to be some confusion, I will give you my understanding of the rules.  When you are first licensed, you are actually given two licenses, an operator license and a station license.  The station license has the callsign you are given.  The operator license has no callsign, just the privileges to operate any ham station within the limits of your operator's license. FCC needs the location of the station license, not the operators location.  That's why, when you visit a friend's station, you use his station call letters.  When you operate away from your station license location, you operate portable, or mobile.
Rich - W7JVL

That sounds correct to me, Rich. 
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Ham Radio and Trip/Traveling Privacy
Reply #21 –
Rich - W7JVL - licensed since 1956

Rich, I respect and admire your long time operation and knowledge of ham radio.  I’m a newbie to ham radio and was issued my general in Dec. 2019 and extra in Jan. 2020.  When I took my tech and general exam and later extra exam, I had to fill out form NCVEC 605 which only ask for a mailing address, phone number and email address.  I was then sent an email from the FCC with a link to the ULS system where I could download a pdf of my license.  The pdf does contain two sizes of the same licenses (framing and wallet) and both operator and station information is listed on the license.  I know there’s been a lot of changes since you first got your license and a physical location was most likely a requirement for the station license in the past, but not anymore.  Ham radio is self monitored for compliance of the rules and I believe the FCC is content with that.

John - AA0A
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Ham Radio and Trip/Traveling Privacy
Reply #22 –
I'll admit I don't stay on top of all the changes, except ones that affect my operation, but I find it hard to believe they no longer need a station location.  I belonged to the ARRL for many years, then quit when they backed "incentive licensing" which took away some of my privileges ( I was General Class back then) then rejoined after getting the Amateur Extra to get them back.  Quit again when they backed "No Code" and haven't rejoined.  Guess I carry a grudge, but I always thought learning morse code was a small price to pay for the privilege.  If you are right, it sounds like it is more like the person has the callsign rather than the station. That has some interesting ramifications.  If the FCC regulations were easier to read and understand, I'd look into it further.  Maybe a member of the ARRL can ask them about it.
Rich - W7JVL
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Ham Radio and Trip/Traveling Privacy
Reply #23 –
Rich,
There’s still a separate station and operator license.  For single operator stations, it’s just combined on the same license certificate.  Ham clubs are different because there are several operators (one trustee) but only one station and possibly multiple callsigns.  I remember several questions about station and operator licensees when studying for the technician exam.  Example:
    Q: When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station?
    A: The control operator and the station licensee are equally responsible.

I’m sorry to hear about your problems with the ARRL.  I was considering joining if for nothing else the ability to use their QSL service bureau.  I am learning morse code and would like get to the point of being proficient enough to keep up with the rag-chewers… maybe 30-35 wpm.  I have a brand new Flex 6400 sitting in the box waiting for my MB to be delivered and then I can build out my shack.  Where I’m staying at the moment doesn’t allow antennas so I’m limited to mobile VHF/UHF and some leo satellite with a handheld yagi and an HT.  Hopefully we can QSL on cw later this year  :)

- John
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Ham Radio and Trip/Traveling Privacy
Reply #24 –
John, You sound like my kind of ham.  When we had our 2000 MB, I had what was probably the best antenna you could ever have on a motor home that was useable while under way.  It consists of an eight foot stainless steel 4 inch tube with a screwdriver powered coil on top.  We had many 40 meter CW contacts as we drove down the road, top loaded, and when parked added a whip for even greater coverage.  I say "We" as my XYL, Cathy, W7JVI was usually doing the contacting.  She is a CW nut!  She could do 40 or even 50 WPM as we drove down the road, but you would not believe what she could do at home.  No writing down, just good CW conversation.  It sure kept my CW up to speed, but I could never keep up with her.  I don't know where you are located, but I still have that antenna and the bracket I used to mount it with only a couple of screws to my MB bumper.  My only regret was that it needed to be mounted on the passenger side as I used the ladder for a brace on top.  Would have preferred to mount it on the driver's side for more clearance from trees, etc. Now. while I pull a trailer, I have a Hustler on the roof of the truck, but we do very little CW on the road any more.  You probably wouldn't want to put a couple of holes in your new MB bumper, but......
Rich - W7JVL
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD