Jerry WB4VQP, subject of some controversy as his relativley un-hamsexy POV was nailed with a citation for “resembling a law enforcement vehicle:” by his local police. We’ve gotten the good news that his case has been dismissed – much to the relief of North Carolina’s ham radio community. Jerry issued the following statement on his website: “A VERY HEART FELT THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY THAT EXPRESSED OPINIONS AND RESPONDED TO THIS CASE. T ONCE AGAIN PROVES WHEN ONE HAM GETS IN TROUBLE ALL THE REST WILL SUPPORT HIM.
The case against Jerry was puzzling, because even though he chooses to drive around in an ex-North Carolina State Trooper 95 Caprice, there are no emergency lights, insignia or other identifying marks on his car. One will only find about five antennae mounted on his trunk of various lengths and configurations. As pretty much any ham that operates mobile has at least one antenna on their car, this case seems to set a somewhat disturbing trend – antennae are grounds for “impersonation”.
To be totally honest, WB4VQP’s car is probably the unhamsexiest vehicle that has ever graced this site. The antenna placement and choice is very reasonable, and doesn’t warrant anything more than a second glance. There are no 800 Mhz NMOs on the roof, no police-style VHF quarter wave in the middle of the trunk… hell, there aren’t even any lights or visible radio gear to be seen on the thing. In fact, every one of the car photos that people submitted to Jerry to support him pin the needle on the “Geeky Heatscore” meter … (“TRY2RUN”… come on, man… that’s so whacktacular is makes me blush….) Jerry’s car, in contrast, doesn’t even register. Other than the fact it’s an ex police car, it just looks like a stock civilan Caprice with a few antennae.
Jerry – we’re glad you got off on these ridiculous charges… just do us a favour and don’t go out and celebrate with a few dash strobes…. okay?
Interesting, very interesting.
It appears that the officer that initially charged this guy may have very poor eyesight and may not be up to the rigors of real police work, perhaps he should be rquired to submit to a medical to maintain his position on whatever force he is on, or, he may be just a not so bright person who has managed to somehow, perhaps through nepotism, get this employment as a policeman.
If this officer is of the latter persuasion, then maybe he is a very lucky individual because he will not likely ever be on the world’s dumbest criminal television show.
We sincerely hope his his physical and mental abilities improve dramatically.
sounds to be a classic case of…
“A Ticket A Day, Keeps The Sergeant Away”.
A phrase that the county cops live by here.
This is f’n crazy…Don’t those damn cops have anything better to do? Maybe go out and find some drug dealer or robber? I drive a 2005 dark grey Crown Victoria, with the Police Interceptor logo on the back and a Dare license plate frame. Not to mention one Larson 900meg, one 1.2 gig diamond, and two dual band antenna’s. Sometimes I have the Atas-120 on too. I have a touch screen computer and a console of radios also. Once and awhile I have my Official Vehicle Secret Service placer up too. (I’m on the Electronics Crimes Task Force for Las Vegas) Does this mean I’m going to get pulled over and ticketed too? Some times these cops just push the envelope and the DA’s support them. What the hell. The Judge asking the 7 hams to leave the courtroom in 2 minutes? What the hell? What is this country coming too. I think I’m going to get my spotlight put on ASAP and have the push bar added too. This guys experience just chaps my ass, I can’t believe it didn’t get settled the first time they went to court. I think every ham operator should flood that county with letters and pictures of their vehicles for the next 6 months. Maybe they won’t make that mistake again!!!
Colin-N0VSJ
Good fucking lord, guys… It was one cop who made a bad decision. One guy accuses him of being crooked and unfit for duty, and the other one acuses the entire law enforcement and judicial community of conspiracy against ham radio. Get a grip, guys. if you drive around in an ex police car with a few antennas, expect the boys in blue to take a second look… especially if you geek it up with radios. Fuck….
thats whay i drive a truck. i just get in trouble for impersonating a DOT Truck
I’m sure he’s happy it was dissmissed. I live here in the same area and listened to a few hams who supported him making comments like “he only had a radar detector” , not once, but several times. The fact is he had an ex-police vehicle with a K55 doppler police radio mounted on the dash, why?? A K55 is a nice toy to have around the shack to play with but when it’s mounted in your car , a car which in my opinion DOES resemble vehicles driven by various N.C. police agencys, then it looks a little weird. Funny how the hams in this club jumped to his defense without knowing the facts as evidenced by the repeated comments on the repeater about him only having a “Radar detector” on his dash. The local club behind him is so damn political that had it been a less liked member of the club it would have been more like “hang him, he’s a whacker!”. We’re talking about a club that just a few years ago had members quit when a ham of colour was nominated fo memebership in the club! And I believe the officer was correct to pull him and chck him out, this is an area that only a few years ago suffered a rash of blue light bandit incidents, one resulting in the rape of a female driver. So yea, if you wanna ride around like a big shot in your ex-police car with a K55 on the dash like you are someone that you need your ass pulled over and put back in your place.
Nobody said anything about having a radar gun too; heck I even have a handheld one in my car. I didn’t say it was the whole department. From what I read, the DA refused to drop it the first time they went to court. Who knows…it helps to have all the information and know the details to make a fair judgment. It’s just the car being a ’95 old Chevy…most agencies don’t use those crappy things anymore. Those went out 10 years ago. The police don’t use them anymore because most would lock the steering wheel up on a hard right turn. (There was a teletype I read back when I was working dispatch in Colorado on this subject). I don’t think this issue should have even gotten to court. The sergeant or chief should have just dropped the ticket. They should not have wasted a dime in tax payer’s money to 1 minute of court. So in my opinion that makes the department responsible, one cop acts on behalf of the police department. He should have had a supervisor review the case first. They can write off tickets (fix a ticket comes to mind).
Also sounds like a case of profiling. It’s a good thing he wasn’t a black man then, poor guy would have gotten beat too. It would be one thing if he had a siren, a light bar; the spot light….radio equipment for a licensed ham with some antennas. Come on! I’ve said enough 73’s