In my opinion, providing Amateur Radio communications for storm spotting, bike rides and races, marathons and parades are valid uses of repeaters. Yes, I realize that you need a functioning repeater to effectively communicate during these types of events. Yes, I realize that simplex cannot do everything.

While I remain against using Amateur Radio to assist government agencies, I make an exception for storm spotters reporting to the National Weather Service. I make this exception because storm spotters are actually helping people get out of the way of an immediate threat to life.

After the storm, however, I remain convinced that Amateur Radio should be used to provide assistance directly to the public and not though any of the so-called "served agencies".

Providing communications support for private community events such as a bike ride, marathon, parades, etc. are worthy uses of Amateur Radio and repeaters because it serves the public directly. Repeaters are necessary due to the "mobile" and low power nature of the people working such events.

When not working such events however, it would do Amateur Radio operators good to wean themselves from these repeaters and practice communicating using simplex as it may be the only way to communicate locally following a disaster.

73,

WF5TX