[RFI] FCC Doesnt Call Amateur 'Ham Radio' A Hobby

[WD8ARZ]

If you check the FCC Rules and Regulations for Amateur Radio, no where 
does it use the word 'hobby'. It does give five reasons for the 
existence of Amateur radio. Part 97 covers the Amateur Radio 
regulations. However, it is understood that all of us hams using amateur 
radio, do refer to it as a hobby .... hi Hi HI - 73 from Bill - WD8ARZ 
in South Bend, Indiana

P.S. - Below is a URL to help with links to info about amateur radio. 
Yes, we do have concerns about transmitting, and receiving radio 
frequency interference (RFI). Please note that the vast majority of RFI 
is not caused by a transmitter. Most of the time it is due to the device 
with the 'interference' having not been designed to filter out signals 
not intended for it. For example: An audio amplifier used in PA systems 
should only handle audio, not radio transmissions. Other devices like TV 
that are to receive signals, are only supposed to receive TV and not 
transmissions outside its frequency range. Plastic cases, no power 
supply filtering, no antenna input filtering, etc etc are what allows 
signals to be received when they should not be. If an transmission 
source is 'clean' as determined by the FCC, continued interference at a 
device is the problem of the device. There are filters and techniques to 
fix the rfi issue, but it is not the ham's obligation to do that work or 
provide the parts. When a transmitter is in fact transmitting signals 
other than it was designed for, it should be shut down until it is 
'fixed'. Most of the time interference is caused by too much microphone 
audio being driven to the transmitter. Listen on 27.185 MHz. Poor audio 
transmissions and rfi causing transmissions can be frequently be found 
on channel nineteen. A frequent source of RFI these days is due to the 
poorly designed AC Switching Power Supplies used in much of our 
electronic equipment.

http://www.arrl.org/part-97-amateur-radio

Small section of those regulations below:

*PART 97—AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE*

*Subpart A—General Provisions*

*§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.