[KYHAM] Use of Terms Amateur vs. Ham

[Jeff Howell]

Subject to flaming, I offer the following observations/comments:

The discussion of "amateur" vs. "ham" reminds me of the "professional" vs.
"volunteer" in the firefighting/EMS arena.

It is my personal opinion that all hams/amateurs should be involved in
public service communications.  After all, that is WHY we have the Amateur
Radio Service in the first place.  I know that, years ago (not sure about
the present), in one or more states, if a ham wanted callsign license plates
for his/her vehicle, he/she was required to register with his/her sheriff or
EMA as an emergency communicator before he/she would receive those plates.

There's nothing wrong with DXing, contesting, ragchewing, etc.  However, to
think that the Amateur Radio Service is nothing more than a HOBBY is
dangerous to our very existence.  Public service is the basis of the Amateur
Radio Service.

We "amateurs" can do so many things with our "amateur" equipment, some of
which the "professional" communications systems (police/fire/EMS) can't even
begin to realize.

We need to maintain a professional image and do our share in public
service/emergency communications if we expect to protect our spectrum and
operating priviledges.

73,
Jeff, W9SAR