[GRLUG] NOT LINUX - FCC to vote on net neutrality later today.

[Don Ellis]

There are two types of license: Amateur and Commercial (I've had both), each
with specific requirements. In the commercial world, it is illegal to
disclose or repeat messages received without permission, and keeping them
private is a mandate. In the amateur world, communications are public and
for experimental/entertainment purposes. Encryption is prohibited. Maybe
because it can't be a threat to established governments. In the old days,
ham radio communications were possible to some pretty restrictive locations,
though getting a license there may have been somewhat restricted too. Casual
conversations were possible with people behind the wall. Nothing important
could be sent on ham channels; that's what commercial channels were for.

[Health and welfare messages are not "important" in this context, but are
common traffic for hams.]

There's still lots to learn that requires a ham license. With a license, you
can use larger antennae and more powerful transmitters than without. At St.
Charles LUG, there was a presentation on instrumentation for amateur
rocketry that required a ham license. Very interesting, and shows some of
what we can learn.

One topic that's lots of fun is testing how far you can go with 802.11
2.4GHz communications. Might be hard to break some of the standing records,
but putting additional restrictions can make it more challenging.
Improvising an antenna system and testing it is a technical exercise.

--Don Ellis
[wb5zgt => kd0ye ( lapsed )]


On Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 7:26 AM, Bob Kline <bob.kline at gmail.com> wrote:

> ...
>


> I gather there are no use requirements
> for keeping a license active.
>
> Anyway, no encryption would kill the idea.
> Any idea what the reason is?
>
> A more testy question, what is the primary
> motivation for becoming a ham today?  In
> days gone by, one learned a lot about radio
> and electronics, because many people built
> their own equipment.  But that hasn't been
> the case for decades, as good Japanese
> radios became available for good prices.
>
> Without that learning incentive, what is
> the reason people become hams today?
>
> Or is my assumption wrong?
>
>    -- Bob
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 8:15 AM, Matt Michielsen <mattmichielsen at gmail.com
> > wrote:
>
>> The biggest issue with the ham license is that you aren't allowed to use
>> encryption.  I'm KD8EVV but haven't had a radio turned on in years.
>
>

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