On Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 09:24:44 AM EDT, email via Elecraft <[email protected]> wrote:
> Get them hooked into some aspect of electronics, computers, and radio... > > Keep in mind, the purpose of Ham Radio; the Amateur Radio Service... > The FCC rules and regulations are designed to provide an amateur radio > service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following > principles: > > 1. Recognition as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, > particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. > 2. Continuation of the advancement of the radio art. > 3. Encouragement through rules which provide for advancing skills > in the communication and technical phases of the art. > 4. Expansion of trained operators,*technicians, and electronics > experts*. > 5. To enhance international goodwill. > > 73, Steve WB3LGC Give that man a cigar! The Amateur Radio Service has a formally and internationally defined basis and purpose. Hobbies don't have such rigorous structures or definitions. In fact, FCC Part 97 uses more than 23,000 words to describe the Amateur Radio Service, and NOT ONE is the word "hobby". So, why do we insist on calling it a "hobby", and when has that practice ever led to anything productive? I've been employed in higher education (in one shape or form) for nearly 40 years. It has been my experience that young adults who wish to better themselves professionally, become productive members of society, and gain a competitive edge over others in the job market have little time or interest in "hobbies". Hobbies are for old folks with an abundance of disposable free time. But when I show them some of the "deeper" areas of Amateur Radio, such as antenna design, receiver design, transmitter design, repeater design, software design, and the self-training that made those accomplishments possible, their eyes light up because they know no school will ever expose them to these practical skills. But Amateur Radio will! In fact, I earned several credits towards my Bachelor's Degree in Electronics through my Amateur Radio License, and the efforts I made to earn it. The same cannot be said for doll collecting or any other hobby. So, I agree that organization such as HamSCI are on the right track in using the resources Amateur Radio has to offer for the purpose those resources have been allocated. They realize our spectrum is allocated for a purpose, not a pastime. Thank you, Steve! 73 de John, KD2BD ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
