Ham operation ethics

[xtatik]

The claim that one should ONLY speak of ham radio topics is specious, and is completely contrary to the purposes of amateur radio - at least in the United States. Who knows about Belgium?

In the US, Ham radio is tolerated (and thats the word to use) because of whatever tenuous connection it has to emergency communications. Especially now that there aren't many benefits to providing cadres of trained radio operators to the military.

The connection is tenuous: Field DAY is a perfect example. One day (or weekend), in good weather, not interfering with any holiday, scheduled unto perpetuity so everyone can 'plan' for it. Emergencies happen at the worst possible times, not on nice summer weekends.

Further, there is a tradition in Ham radio of using the term OM (Old Man) as a proword for the station you are speaking to: As in "Sorry, OM - the QRM (interference) is strong". This dates back to wire telegraphy days, before Marconi tuned up his first spark gap transmitter....Kind of flies in the face of their claim to only use first names. But, WTH. Takes all kinds.

I'd have to disagree on some of this.
Amateur radio is a global hobby and was never intended to become a means of "emergency communications" or "emcomm". It would be an unlikely event that the FCC would pull the plug on American amateurs while amateurs in most other nations around the globe could continue to enjoy the hobby.
The spectrum used around the world is nearly the same with minor differences at the upper and lower band edges. Some IARU regions may have different "band plans" within that spectrum, but for the most part, it's the same. In the US, it had always been spectrum that was set aside purely for hobby purposes. The overlap away from purely hobby and into "emcomm" was very organic. It just happened over time as amateur hobbyists were able to fill gaps in communication during crises events and in the course proved themselves capable as a last resort. This happened over the entirety of the hobbies history up to today. Amateurs are given no federal mandate to participate in a crisis and the FCC only maintains us as a voluntary last resort.
Unlike commercial licensees, the FCC had to play only a very minor role in managing amateur operators. My first test (Novice) required a drive to the FCC offices in L.A. Since then, amateurs have proven themselves capable of self-management to the point that the FCC has relinquished the duties of testing, spectrum management, policy-making and self-policing to the amateur community. Enforcement actions are nearly the only functions where the FCC reserves authority.
Also, the term "Old Man" is used occasionally in reference between primarily American amateurs. Hiram Percy Maxim, who was a proponent of the hobby and co-founder of the ARRL is referred to as "The Old Man". The term was not widely used until after his passing. This was well after wire telegraphy was established and a few years after Marconi's famous achievements.
http://www.arrl.org/inside-w1aw

 

[frgtwn]

Quote "Enforcement actions are nearly the only functions where the FCC reserves authority."

That may be true, however, this FCC director does not seem to be at all interested in enforcement. Again, it is left to amateurs, and it is a hard road for some.