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On-air standards for radio amateurs
On occasion the amateur bands are used to discuss subjects that cause
offence to some people and can generally be described as lowering the
tone of our hobby.
There were once prohibitions on what could be discussed on air. Referring
to the Handbook for Operators of Amateur Stations issued under the previous
Wireless Telegraphy Act, it was clearly spelt out what was then not permitted.
For example Clause 140 read: "No person shall transmit or make a
signal containing profane, indecent or abusive words, language, or meaning,
or use phonetics resembling profane or indecent words..."
There was also a clause prohibiting social and political propaganda. Those
clauses did not survive subsequent revisions of the Amateur Service Regulations.
Today we can hear sex, religion or politics being discussed on amateur
radio.
It could seem to the casual observer that there was no standards. Some
think otherwise. They hold the belief that amateur radio is a privilege
that should not be abused, with operating requiring decorum, manners and
decency.
With the identified need to attract many more young people into amateur
radio and being on the dawn of Australia's new entry point Foundation
Licence, will the lack of operating standards harm amateur radio?
Is our hobby just reflecting community standards that have dramatically
changed under the influence some would declare of the portrayal of sex,
violence, human relationships and so-called adult themes the media.
Racial vilification remains taboo in the media - it is in fact illegal
in Australia. Can we say the same for amateur radio in 2005? Some conversations
on the ham bands do refer in most unfriendly terms to peoples of one race
of other.
Can our hobby by likened to the Internet? Plenty of good things to do,
but don't enter its chat-rooms on 80m very late at night, or listen to
the political, racial and religious Qso's evident on 40m at some other
times.
Is amateur radio only reflecting community standards - or should it standalone,
be a unique communication medium that sits well above the lowest common
denominator.
Jim Linton VK3PC
Source: Wireless
Institute of Australia
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