[Geysers] Historical footnote about channel 4-5.

[Eric Hatfield]

As a quick historical fact about the channel 4-5, that was the Hatfield familys' arbitrary choice in 1997 (? as I recall the year, I'd have to refer to the Sput article.)  We bought a set of the FRS radios because of the poor performance of the handheld CBs.  Dan Hatfield chose 4-5 probably because it wasn't so obvious or likely to produce accidental cross traffic as 1-1, but easier than 27-18, or whatever.

We were impressed with the performance of the radios, and so spread the word, and put it in the Sput.  

So, that's where 4-5 came from; we chose it mostly at random.  We don't own it, but that's how that familiar little detail happened.  It's interesting that the FRS radios (and the coding system) are still in use and haven't been outstripped in the interceding 15 years.

"4-5" argues toward the spontaneous, unsanctioned nature of the gazer rabble.  We show up, look at geysers, and follow each other's information. Or not....


________________________________
 From: "TSBryan at aol.com" <TSBryan at aol.com>
To: geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu 
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 11:05 AM
Subject: [Geysers] Gazers, radios, logbooks, etc
 

This might grow to be a bit on the long side, but I hope you will bear with 
me. The post by Inez Austin certainly opened a few topics, and perhaps that is a 
good thing. So here my several-cents worth. For the record, since I first worked 
for the NPS in Yellowstone in 1970, I was in the park, at least for a few days 
and often for entire seasons, for 41 consecutive summers. Nine of those summers 
were as an interpretive ranger at Old Faithful. (I had to miss 2011 for a 
variety of reasons, and 2012 will allow me only about three weeks an important 
point I'll refer to later).
 
1. Geyser Gazers. What a unique crowd. What incredibly diverse backgrounds. 
What nuts. What wonderful people. But they are people. We all have good days, 
and we all have bad days. So perhaps somebody who normally is extremely friendly 
is a bit gruff. Gonna happen. But I cannot imagine (well, with one possible 
exception) anybody being closed and unfriendly at all times. Just doesn't 
happen. So if for some reason you are put off by somebody, give that person 
another chance. And if the negativity seems permanent... move to another 
bench.
     I will say that I highly dislike those who 
pontificate while standing on a bench....
 
2. Radio use. Use of the FRS radios is not reserved to the gazers. I don't 
know what the current FCC rule is, but up to a couple of years ago you were 
supposed to have an FCC license to use an FRS radio powered by anything more 
than 1/2 watt. And you were _supposed_ to announce your license number every 
time you used the radio. Yep, that's technical; obviously unenforceable and I 
can't recall my own number. Yes, "we" have tried to limit the use of Channel 4 
Subcode 5 (hereafter "channel" and "4-5") to geyser reports only. In most cases 
this has worked well. But the frequencies are in the public domain; anybody can 
use 4-5 if they wish, and we all know the aggravating times when innocent park 
visitors come up on the same channel.
     As an historical point, here is (apparently) how 
4-5 came into use. Once upon a time, when the FRS radios were first out, I 
arrived at Old Faithful and found just two other gazers with the radios. To 
George and Sue Schroeder I asked what channel they were using, and joined them 
there. As did others. And here we are.
     Above all on this, I will object to those gazers 
-- you know who you are -- who repeatedly (often time after time throughout an 
entire day) who call "So-and-so, go to five." Sure, sometimes there is an 
important reason to contact somebody, but "meet me at the store" is not 
necessary. It is aggravating to others, runs down batteries, etc. Radios 
aren't that expensive. Get another set and keep those tuned to your "personal" 
channel. Or maybe use your cell phone. Yak all you want but leave 4-5 for 
geysers.
 
3. What to announce on the radios. Well, obviously any significant geyser 
activity or status. Relating this to North Goggles, I will agree with others 
that the frequent one-foot boils are not eruptions and should not be logged as 
such. However, I do think that is information worthy of a radio call. I haven't 
seen North Goggles in a long time. When I arrive next month I'll be excited if I 
hear such news. (Eruptions, including minors, do involve steady jetting, not 
just boiling. But if Jim said "8 feet" I'd like to amend that to "6 
feet.")
 
4. Radios and the Visitor Center. I think this has been well-enough 
covered, but I'll repeat. The VC can be a very busy place. Visitors at the desk 
and telephones take priority over FRS calls. Period. This is why, when there is 
something really important, many of us have taken to using cell phones rather 
than radios to contact the VC, or the ranger station.
 
5. Electronic (on-line) reporting. I agree with D. Schwarz. We now have two 
varieties of on-line logging. I prefer the "old" e-mail listserv, where 
commentary can be written along with simple listings of times. I appreciate the 
web-based databases, such as GeyserTimes.org. They have their uses, but as 
simple lists they generally fail to impart the kind of information that I like 
to receive, and like to pass along. I very much prefer this listserv.
 
6. OFVEC Logbook. The logbook belongs to the NPS as a repository of data. 
Whatever it's final destination might be (park archives or park geologist's 
bottom drawer), its contents must be accurate. And that is why only certain 
people should have access to it. Who does the vetting, I don't know. If it is 
Jim these days, then OK I guess. It used to be the sub-district naturalist 
and/or park geologist. For all my time in the park and my books, I probably am 
not in the logbook now. And that's OK. Whoever is vetted in that way, I think it 
ought to be people who are able to spend substantial time in the basins so as to 
be familiar with the activity and with policies. Beyond that, I don't think 
I'm in a position to say who those people should be.
     Errors will always be possible -- we've all 
screwed up, which is why making corrections on the radio should be permitted. 
Even with only certain people having access to the logbook, things can happen. 
How many of us remember that not-to-be-named VIP person a number of years ago 
who puzzled us all with completely fictional Daisy eruption data that he entered 
into the logbook. (Or for that matter, the surfeit of Green Spring eruptions 
called out by protective rangers when a "Green Spring" sign had been placed next 
to the sewage treatment pond.) Yep; gotta be careful.
 
7. Gazers versus rangers. Another "gotta be careful." I think most 
(emphasize "most") of the Old Faithful interpreters understand and value the 
gazers. However, that is not necessarily so with law enforcement types. Despite 
the law of the land, we all been held up as "guilty unless otherwise proven" 
when one of the "gazers" did something wrong. Not good. Gotta be careful.
     Hoping that this e-mail will be seen in the OFVEC, 
here's a point that I don't think comes up real often, but it definitely does so 
now and then. Some rangers, and especially those new to the loden green and 
slate gray uniform, develop a superior opinion of themselves. Some almost pop 
their buttons they get so puffed up with a "you may have been here before but I 
am a ranger" attitude. I hope that's not the case in 2012. They may have some 
authority, but we happen to know a few things, too.
 
8. Ah, yes; authority. Yellowstone is a national park. Although it is a 
public place established "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people," it is 
under the legal jurisdiction of the National Park Service. We might not 
appreciate certain NPS policies and proposals, but they are real and the NPS has 
enforcement authority. That should be enough said right there. Yellowstone is 
not your personal playground. If you don't like something, then work 
through legal channels to change it.
 
I'm done.
 
Curmudgeonly yours,
T. Scott Bryan
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