Ham Talk Live! Episode 199 - State of the Hobby Survey

A remarkable piece of irrelevancy.

The distinction is HOBBY(IST) versus AMATEUR.

Not HOBBY versus SERVICE.

In the US, the amateur radio regulations are Federal law under 'Part 97'.

We very much have a mission statement in Part 97. It's up front. It defines why we exist as a licensed service. The AMATEUR radio (NOT HOBBY) service. The mission is there, in part, to make it clear who we are and why others need to 'stay away' from picking at our spectrum.

WHEN the service does not manifest mission, then we lose spectrum. That simple reality is why we are losing 3300 MHZ in the US: other services want the spectrum and are compellingly showing our failure to use 3300 MHz under the mission statement..(I am well aware of the argument that military radar drives that bus. Not fully accurate.)

I can't speak for Sweden. And Sweden can't speak for the US. Frankly, I am not enamored with the assertion that US pols 'can be bought', coming from a quasi socialist country's citizen. And that is my opinion; yours may differ. There's plenty of things in Sweden you can diss. I will not so engage.

73
Chip W1YW

 

I kind of get your concern that calling it a hobby devalues it in the eyes of your regulator, and anyone else who has eyes on the spectrum. But at the end of the day, it is indeed a hobby, pastime, whatever - albeit the best one If it's a service, who do we serve? Other than ourselves? BTW Karl-Arne's explanation above is pretty good.

 

I'm glad I didn't read pages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6...

 

"1.56 amateur service: A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest."

The above is the definition of amateur radio from the ITU Radio Regulations, which is verbatim repeated in FCC Part 97.3

Where in the above language can any implication of amateurs being required of providing any "service" or "mission" be found?

My views come out of the international aspects of spectrum regulations, which are the reasons for the existence of global amateur radio.

Even if a future unfortunate chain of events should ban amateur radio from inclusion in the international table of frequency allocations, there would be a possibility for the FCC to keep the amateur bands on footnote status, if sufficient reasons could be presented.

However, if the international community should become convinced that amateur radio is an unjustifiable and unnecessary burden for other spectrum users, this is most likely caused by concerted attacks by global "big business" on the amateur spectrum.

To believe that the US should become an exception from these just because amateurs are perceived to have a "mission" would be wishful thinking.

73/
Karl-Arne
SM0AOM

 

Not wishful thinking. It's law of the land. Go read the mission statement for US Part 97...

If you don't understand what that means--mission statement-- its standard for defining capitalist enterprises. As the US is a capitalist-based economy ('free markets'), our laws reflect those conventions of expression and definition. You can go ask the US pols who you assert are all "bought" to explain it to you. Clearly you do not understand it.

And yes, we do consider us as exceptional ==different==from the often dysfunctional political systems from Europe, such as monarchies, socialism, communism, and various other failed political philosphies..And do not appreciate your global assertions of bribe-based corruption in our political system, which you fail to present any evidence of...

73
Chip W1YW

 

I understand a lot of politics.
Especially the crucial differences between unfettered capitalism and other systems.
And this is just another of the reasons that I am very happy not to live in the US.

73/
Karl-Arne
SM0AOM

 

Suits me!

 

We don't buy politicians. They buy us.

 

I couldn't agree more! It can be entertaining at times. However, after a few laughs it's "move on, nothing to see here"!
Kevin
K7KHC

 

I would like to comment, but , cant find the words to describe the nitpick's , sorry it may be a service , but for me its my hobby, and a great one at that. Now to the Survey, trouble with survey's that don't take my demographics into account, are just piles of useless information. I have filled out this guys survey's in the past, and find some of the questions are confusing or have no real answer. and things about is my wife, and kids licensed,, WELL NO, what does that have to do with anything, Most spouses and real young ham "kids" are pressured into getting license's by the OM, that must see this as a status symbol.. and Most never use those licenses.
as with every survey, you slant the outcome in your favor by the wording the questions, .. I just had a great time on the ARRL DX CW contest. enjoying servicing my sanity.

an example, with no demographics, you ask "do you think Technician class hams should be grandfathered to General class privileges"
so the answer come back 95% YES !
Now were 95% of those answering the question a Technician, ?? A general, A Extra, ?? its important to know who's answering , it makes all the difference in the world..
and whether my wife's a ham, has nothing to do with the state of the ham radio !!!!!!!!!!

 

Why are so many otherwise bright and helpful hams so darn cynical about our future? As if Amateur Radio has never had tough challenges in the past. It just seems like bitter nostalgia over loss of perceived bygone good-ole-days.

IMO, a higher self-esteem ought to be gained from any official authorization / recognition, and is a prime distinguishing characteristic between an amateur versus "just a hobbyist". Purpose statement, mission statement, equivalent terms, simply what something or someone is versus does. The purpose of Amateur Radio as defined, what we are, is realized by what we do, the mission. (Can include preparing for and participating in the ARRL DX CW contest)

Based on the recently published ITU Guidelines for national emergency telecommunication plans it sure seems like they view amateur radio services as being far from "...an unjustifiable and unnecessary burden"; more like an essential element of proper regulatory governance and structure.

Amateur radio / amateur radio service is mentioned over two dozen times throughout the guideline doc; the word hobby is nonexistent.

The best summary is in,

Synopsis in D: Additional information on telecom/ICTs for emergencies

This annex describes in more detail the different public and private telecommunication/ICT services –including radio and television (TV) broadcasting services, among others – that should be considered in the development of an NETP.

(page 80)

Amateur radio

Radio amateurs have supported communications in emergency situations on a voluntary basis since the beginning of radio communications. They are experts in radio communications and have the equipment, skills and necessary frequencies allocated by ITU (2017d) to deploy networks in emergency events quickly and efficiently. Amateur radio activity is authorized in accordance with the licenses issued by national governments: therefore, they are authorized to re-establish national and international communications if necessary.

To ensure that radio amateurs have the training and skills necessary to support communications in case of an emergency, the International Amateur Radio Union has developed a guide for emergency telecommunications that allows potential operators to be trained (International Amateur Radio Union, 2015).

Radio amateurs can help in a possible emergency with communications of different types: for example, supporting an international institution such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;providing communications to those displaced by the disaster and/or other relief efforts; providing support to the emergency management agency of the national government by providing inter-institutional communications; or supporting logistics communications to the humanitarian agencies on the ground, e.g., firefighters or civil defence workers, among others.

The support provided by radio amateurs in cases of emergency has the following advantages:

• There is great coverage, due to the large number of amateur radio stations available and operating in all regions and in almost every country in the world.

• The coverage of amateur radio stations becomes a network independent of others.

• There are training programmes and simulation exercises for emergencies developed by national radio amateurs for situations of telecommunications in emergencies.

• They are qualified temporary volunteers who provide skills and experience essential for emergency telecommunications, with the sole purpose of supporting humanitarian aid services.

• They have skill in solving problems related to the use of telecommunications during emergencies with often very limited resources.

• Many amateur radio stations trained to handle emergency telecommunications have alternative power sources, such as battery power, solar power or generator power and can operate during power disruptions.

The coverage of amateur radio networks can vary between short-range networks, i.e., tens of kilometres, to long-range networks that exceed 500 km. Additionally, amateur radio satellites can be used for medium- and long-range communications, fulfilling the function of storage and retransmission.

It is important to mention that radio amateurs should only carry out or accept tasks that are foreseen in the agreements reached with other stakeholders, such as government authorities, that clarify their role in emergency operations. Volunteer radio amateurs typically do not make decisions in rescue operations and are usually only qualified or authorized to send and receive accurate communications.The normal role of the amateur radio service is to establish and support communications for those who directly carry out emergency operations.

Finally, it is also important to note that reliance on amateur radio networks can present certain disadvantages in countries without a robust and active amateur radio population due to an insufficient number of amateur radio operators. It is important for administrations in countries without an active amateur radio service to foster and promote the growth of amateur radio so as to provide an adequate supply of amateur radio operators is available during emergency telecommunications operations.

73, John, WØPV

 

The reason for using the word "service" is simply that this is the current term for the hobby in ITU documents. All spectrum users are called "services" in this parlance.

The authors of the document very clearly live in the past, as they describe a picture of "competent and skilled persons" that is quite rarely existent today.

I suspect that these lines come out of some organised "reflective-vest-wearers" that are quite anxious to put forward their inflated views of self-importance. Organised amateur radio is full of "salesmen" for their special niches, often "selling" an imaginary product.

Dilution of exam standards have lowered the general level of competence and the vast majority of current amateurs are "appliance operators" in the literal sense.

Judging from i.e. the level of questions asked in on-line forums too many amateurs are also literally clueless about electronics despite having passed an exam at the highest level.
I suspect the "cramming method" of training, and that only a minority of new radio amateurs are really interested in radio is to blame.

Coupled to an ageing population, it makes "users" quite suspicious of any capabilities offered.
Maybe in third-world countries could amateur radio show some relevance today, but in the developed world amateurs are far behind. In "yesteryear" military/public safety/commercial communications and amateur radio were conceptually quite similar, but in more recent times they have diverged considerably.

The perception among the Authorities is that they have to deal with quite difficult old people which are firmly set in their views and which are unable to be part of any command structure.

My own cynical views are founded in having worked within the ITU and CEPT, dealing with spectrum regulators on a quite regular basis, and also from participating in a project for reforming the exams.

This project was seriously obstructed by our national society that feared that requiring higher competence would hurt the membership numbers. These events soured the relations with the regulator, cementing their views that radio amateurs are no longer the elite they pretend to be,
but just a bunch of backwards and whining ageing people that demographics will take care of in the long run.

Not only the spectrum regulators are among those wanting to get rid of radio amateurs ASAP;
the agencies responsible for EMC, city planning authorities, landlords and condominiums may be added to the list.

I believe that amateur radio should earnestly look itself in the mirror and seriously ask if the picture presented is palatable for the current environment. There is a great danger associated with just resting on old laurels.

73/
Karl-Arne
SM0AOM

 

Karl--

If you want to hang up the towel on the US amateur radio service, then just don't use your radio.

Cynicism and senior demographic are not going to win the day for amateur radio. Obviously your work in the past , IMO, is not NOW providing the SERVICE an appropriate set of strategies for future existence and improvement. Time to step aside for those that work problems and find solutions, IMO.

Commenting on another people's(country) politics is really in very poor taste.

There is no benefit to PUBLICLY, GLOBALLY, and ARCHIVALLY evincing the very 'it's just a hobby, I can call it what I want, and American politicians are corrupt bribe takers and the greedy big biz 's call the shots' mentality.

If you don't live and operate in the USA, then be a good listener and see the experiences and opinions of those that do. We are not naive, some of us have better cred than you think, and want to move the ball forward. I am sorry to inform you that its not 'Amerika', and your speculations are about as accurate as Kafka's.

I am sure that Sweden is a very different kettle of fish to the US, and that is why I do not discuss Swedish politics, as an American (with a 'C').

If you don't contribute to the amateur radio service, through it's defined mission statement, then appreciate and support all those that do.

I am a radio amateur--a Part 97 licensee-- and proud of it.

 

It certainly is.

73/
Karl-Arne
SM0AOM

 

ITU docs never refer to hobbies. Services are refered as more than spectrum users, they are INFRASTRUCTURE assets, as in this example from the linked NREP doc, page 55,

II. Response, relief and restoration, b) Infrastructure and technology

Are there policies in place that consider communications network status, needs, conditions and
requests, and that enable the maintenance and restoration of the following communications
capabilities?

• Local agency land mobile radio systems;
• Emergency dispatch services;
• Status of terrestrial systems/public mobile systems;
• Broadcast radio/TV stations;
• Amateur radio services;
• In-country VSAT provider availability;
• Pre-positioned emergency MSS equipment;
• Internet services.

The authors are the International Telecommunications Union, their label clearly attached.

In the context of the Amateur Radio Service, developing competency and skills is part of the mission, and those have qualities relative to time, are not static nor ever complete. Certainly some "legacy" skills are more rare than others today, but other modern skills have been added, and those with exceptional competency have been "diluted" within a growingly inclusive pool of service members;

There are literally 7-8 times the numbers of radio amateurs in the USA today then when I started. I am amazed nearly daily at the exquisitely smart, talented, people of good character I encounter via Amateur Radio. Far above average in the general public.

A typical myopic cynisim of engineering toward marketing neglecting their sybimosis - sales skills keeps the wheels turning for all, as in words of Carnegie, "Take my money and factories but leave my salesmen and I will be back the same in two years."

Technology has changed, expanded. And more people are interested and involved with it, thus perception of "dilution". Today practical electronics and radio communications on all levels is less driven by deep knowledge of discrete components and circuits and more by coding and "systems integration". This is true even in professional fields.

Amateur radio is one place where this trend can be and is reversed. Not just through exams but by peer motivated self-training (part of that ITU / FCC definition).

On the contrary, lately there is evidence of growing suspicion in well developed countries of the capabilities of commercial, government and military communications infrastructure in extreme circumstances, and amateurs are being employed, both literally and as volunteers, to advise, prepare and train.

My sympathies regarding the status in Sweden. Let us know how else to help with that.

Agreed, and I believe progress has been / is being made in that regard for Amateur Radio in other places around the globe by those less burdened with saudade.

Amateur Radio will endure; live long and prosper OM.

73, John, WØPV