3 ms·

Amateur Radio Fatalism

6 points by thcipriani 3y ago

RicoElectrico 3y ago
Polish ham radio community (the boomers, specifically) can be toxic at times. And I got an explanation from my colleagues: back in commie days (i.e. pre-1989) you had to be a scientist, diplomat, SB agent or otherwise collaborating with the system to even get the license.
h2odragon 3y ago
If I have something to say to the world; there are now many better, cheaper, easier ways to do so; that do not require arcane outdated rituals or Government Licensing to participate in. I have always been of the opinion that the FCC's licensing requirements clearly conflicted with the First Amendment. Fortunately technology outgrew government again, and rendered it irrelevant. Now we have to prevent the growth of the new Government efforts to control information dissemination. "Misinformation" and "Think of the Children" flags are being waved by those who wish to regulate what can be said today.
- thcipriani 3y ago
  Most of the technologies I can think of that offer a cheaper alternative to ham radio are also within the purview of the FCC. Most of the internet is encumbered by multiple organizations (often giant, profit-seeking corporations) that are ultimately beholden to the FCC. Radio will continue to be a technology used for providing infrastructure where none exists (disaster areas, offgrid communications). And sometimes it takes the place of "last mile" ISPs to get people in rural access to the wider internet. Plus, playing radio is fun. On the First Amendment vs. licensing requirements: Most licensing requirements are aimed at curbing harmful interference. The only thing in Part 97 (I can remember offhand anyway) that limits what you can say is 97.113(a)(4)[0]—most of what it mentions is covered by other laws (obscenity and copyright). I think there's something about selling stuff, too. But hams are pretty much self-policing this, afaict. Encrypted communication also prohibited (boo). But now we have meshtastic[1] on ISM bands for that! [0]: <https:/ / www.ecfr.gov/ current/ title-47/ part-97#p-97.113(a)(4)> [1]: <https://meshtastic.org/ https://meshtastic.org/>
codevark 3y ago
[dead]

6 points by thcipriani 3y ago

Polish ham radio community (the boomers, specifically) can be toxic at times. And I got an explanation from my colleagues: back in commie days (i.e. pre-1989) you had to be a scientist, diplomat, SB agent or otherwise collaborating with the system to even get the license.

h2odragon 3y ago

If I have something to say to the world; there are now many better, cheaper, easier ways to do so; that do not require arcane outdated rituals or Government Licensing to participate in. I have always been of the opinion that the FCC's licensing requirements clearly conflicted with the First Amendment. Fortunately technology outgrew government again, and rendered it irrelevant. Now we have to prevent the growth of the new Government efforts to control information dissemination. "Misinformation" and "Think of the Children" flags are being waved by those who wish to regulate what can be said today.

thcipriani 3y ago
Most of the technologies I can think of that offer a cheaper alternative to ham radio are also within the purview of the FCC. Most of the internet is encumbered by multiple organizations (often giant, profit-seeking corporations) that are ultimately beholden to the FCC. Radio will continue to be a technology used for providing infrastructure where none exists (disaster areas, offgrid communications). And sometimes it takes the place of "last mile" ISPs to get people in rural access to the wider internet. Plus, playing radio is fun. On the First Amendment vs. licensing requirements: Most licensing requirements are aimed at curbing harmful interference. The only thing in Part 97 (I can remember offhand anyway) that limits what you can say is 97.113(a)(4)[0]—most of what it mentions is covered by other laws (obscenity and copyright). I think there's something about selling stuff, too. But hams are pretty much self-policing this, afaict. Encrypted communication also prohibited (boo). But now we have meshtastic[1] on ISM bands for that! [0]: <https:/ / www.ecfr.gov/ current/ title-47/ part-97#p-97.113(a)(4)> [1]: <https://meshtastic.org/ https://meshtastic.org/>

codevark 3y ago

[dead]