Amateur radio - the potential

In a recent QST edition - I can't remember which one - I found a really nice statement of support for ham radio by the FCC.

On searching online today, I found that same message as reproduced by the ARRL.  The message is:

"97.1(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s unique ability to enhance international goodwill."

This point - the enhancement of international goodwill, is readily familiar to all of us who operate radio on a regular basis.

Courtesy DL3BC

We find ourselves making instant friends, sometimes talking to parts of the world torn by war and strife.  Other times, we might talk with people in nations we are told are contentious, or might not even be formally recognised by others.  Almost all of us rise to the challenge of setting politics to one side, and making goodwill the sole focus of our efforts.

I'm very glad to see this FCC support engrained in the radio 'constitution', as it were.  Whilst the UK government also has a long-standing message of general support, it does tend to see ham radio in purely technical terms, perhaps a leftover from the war years, when hams might be useful to the nation.  That does little to engender a supportive attitude from ordinary members of the public.

I hope the ARRL, the RSGB and indeed all other representative bodies read, absorb and repeat often the basic point that more cynical members of the public should hear: we may appear a bit sad and niche in our shacks, but we are actually performing a vital, unpaid role in support of peace and goodwill, every day.

Let's celebrate amateur radio for what we all know it is: a great force for peace where others fail.