In previous messages, it was decided that it is not the world of
computers that is depleting Ham Radio activity, it is the cellular
telephone.  Not only does the commonplace use of cell phones take the
novelty and excitement out of Ham mobile radio and repeaters for
potential Hams, but existing Hams are being lured to the Dark Side!

In the spirit of, "If you can't beat them, join them!", here are some
suggestions to integrate Ham Radio and cellular telephony.

1. Attendance on your local repeater net is dropping off?  Use the
autopatch to call a wayward member on his cell phone, and embarrass him
by telling him that the remaining five net members are listening to his
every word!

2. Ditto during the commute hour.  This has the advantage that more
members are at their cell phones and can be trapped this way.  However,
at least 80% will already be on their phones.  But pleading messages can
be left on their voice mail, with anyone on the air jumping in.

3. Caravanning to a distant location and your Ham rig is at home or at
the factory being painted?  Use FreeConferenceCall.com to get all the
caravanning cell phones on one connection.  For serious cellular
operators (no longer just users) these connections may be used for up to
six hours at a time.  Those that aren't really committed can call the
conference number once an hour to see how badly lost they really are.

4. Issue a club certificate for Worked All States Cellular.  This is
particularly hard to get since most people that you might randomly call
don't QSL.

5. Have a hidden cell phone hunt.  This can be livened up by choosing
locations where most carriers don't have coverage.  Those are quite
plentiful.

Can you hear me now?  Good!

Les, W6TEE