In the U.S., amateur radio is primarily authorized because of the potential for emergency communications. It is listed as the first of the 5 principles and I always point that out when I teach an entry level class for potential new hams. I would not weigh the 5 principles as equal, but rather as supporting the overall concept.
My understanding is that in some countries, amateur radio is considered more of a hobby to provide activities for the citizens. In the past, Japan had a low power HF license without a CW requirement even though this conflicted with international agreements. Their view was that this was good government policy and took precedence over agreements that they had signed. The MURS and FRS services here in the U.S. are intended for personal use and emergency use, not so much as a hobby in themselves. (A hobby is a spare time, recreational activity). The MURS and FRS may support a hobby such as hunting, outdoor recreation, but may also facilitate family activities such as in a shopping mall or large convention center. But you don't have to know much about radio or communications so there is little focus on the medium itself as a hobby as it is a means to an end. By the way, MURS has some interesting potential since it also allows some data transmissions and you can use external antennas with maximum 2 watts output and since the frequency is close to 2 meters, it can be used similar to 2 meter simplex. There are only 5 channels so things could get congested if this mode ever became popular. At this time the general public is not aware of the service and equipment is not easy to find. The final analysis is that here in the U.S., amateur radio is an activity that is promoted by the government due to the 5 principles. Self improvement in radio communications is a "hobby" or avocation, no different than learning other hobby disciplines. The only difference being that you have to be licensed by the government to take part in transmitting a signal. An active radio amateur will participate in most of these principles at one time or another. Those who have a casual interest, will not acquire the same knowlege and ability and the more active participants. 73, Rick, KV9U Dave Bernstein wrote: > As you can see from 97.1 below, there are 5 principles underlying > the amateur radio service, one of which is to provide emergency > communications. > > By definition, an activity undertaken by an amateur is a hobby. > > 73, > > Dave, AA6YQ > > > > Part 97 : Sec. 97.1 Basis and Purpose > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > > The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an > amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in > the following principles: > > (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service > to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, > particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. > > (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to > contribute to the advancement of the radio art. > > (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through > rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication > and technical phases of the art. > > (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio > service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. > > (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to > enhance international goodwill. > > > > > > > > Need a Digital mode QSO? Connect to Telnet://cluster.dynalias.org > > Other areas of interest: > > The MixW Reflector : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/themixwgroup/ > DigiPol: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digipol (band plan policy > discussion) > > > > > > SPONSORED LINKS > Ham radio > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Ham+radio&w1=Ham+radio&w2=Craft+hobby&w3=Hobby+and+craft+supply&c=3&s=60&.sig=Q3ZWABypJDd5YmYXbzsVzQ> > > Craft hobby > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Craft+hobby&w1=Ham+radio&w2=Craft+hobby&w3=Hobby+and+craft+supply&c=3&s=60&.sig=ZnXBknyULDAnZKOQwnbT0g> > > Hobby and craft supply > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Hobby+and+craft+supply&w1=Ham+radio&w2=Craft+hobby&w3=Hobby+and+craft+supply&c=3&s=60&.sig=fLVuec3_R3javCvFd0735w> > > > > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > * Visit your group "digitalradio > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio>" on the web. > > * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > * Your use of Yahoo! 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