[RFI] Today's Wall Stree Journal front page article on hams & BPL

[dj2001 at mn.rr.com]

>On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 21:11:20 -0500, David Jordan wrote:
>
>>yes, it's a hobby but
>>it's also the only hobby that is regulated by the Federal government!
>
>_________________________________________________________
>
>Really?  Private pilots would be surprised to hear that.
>
>--
>Bill W6WRT
>QSLs via LoTW


For private pilots it's a matter of safety.  You must demonstrate you 
are competent to fly an airplane safely just as you must demonstrate 
you are competent to drive a school bus or automobile safely, ect.

As for The Amateur Radio Service read 97.1:



[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
 From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR97.1]

[Page 570]

                        TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

                          COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE--Table of Contents

                       Subpart A--General Provisions

Sec. 97.1  Basis and purpose.


     The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an
amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the
following principles:
     (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service
to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
     (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to
contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
     (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through
rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and
technical phases of the art.
     (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio
service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
     (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to
enhance international goodwill.


73
Dale, K9VUJ