Practically-speaking it is probably most-valuable to know
why we continued to exist through the spectrum-pressures of
the late 20th Century - and how we will survive (perhaps
even flourish) in the 21st Century.
Reality is that in the commercial and political world
decisions are rarely made based on nostalgia but rather
"What can you do for me now?"
During natural and human-caused communication failures the
powers-that-be could care-less if you built your gear or
bought it - they only care if you can and will use it.
I have never once in emcomm planning heard anyone ask if the
ARES/CERT/MARS or other radio operator was planning to use
homebrew or commercial gear.
Sure, a technologically-gifted Ham may create something from
time to time that proves-out to have wider commercial value,
but such is hardly first in the minds of legislators and
regulators pressured to sell our spectrum.
It's unclear how much value we represent to commercial interests
as a marketplace. Are we really of sufficient value to expect
them to defend us?
The ARRL has, sadly, biased their Washington, DC contacts to the
political Party far out of power (Democrats) and that could come
back to hurt our hobby. They must right that ship of alliances
asap or there may be trouble ahead.
Hams do not speak with a singular voice politically, nor have
I seen much evidence that we speak terribly loudly, except when
seriously threatened.
We must first justify ourselves as of value to the greater-good,
second as a valued-market to electronics manufacturers, and third
as an occasionally-noisy special interest group willing to make a
big noise if our hobby is seriously threatened.
All the rest is entertaining-nostalgia but probably irrelevant to
the defense of Ham spectrum and special protections as operators.
IMHO, YMMV ... David KD4E
On 1/2/2017 5:20 AM, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
Isn't there anyone on here that's been a ham long enough to
remember the reason and justification for the Amateur Radio
Service?
It saddens me that so few seem to know the reason we existed.
Prior to the multiple choice tests, Question answers were essay and
circuit diagrams needed to be drawn.
The "ORIGINAL"justification for the Amateur service was to provide
a pool of trained operators in communications techniques and
technicians skilled in electronic theory and communications
techniques! This pool was to provide operators for emergencies,
both local and national, in times of war and peace.
The reasons for the different classes were to provide the incentive
to increase their skill in both communications techniques and
electronics. That incentive was decades before "Incentive
licensing" came into existence.
Novice was, as it is now an introductory and non renewable license
Technician was for VHF and above for those primarily
communications. General, was a step up in speed and electronics
theory and circuits. Advanced was another step up, primarily in
theory and circuits Extra was the top of the line in both CW speed,
specialized communications techniques, and circuit design.
I may have left a few out, but that's the way it was in the 60s,
70s, and 80s
73
Roger (K8RI)
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