Ham Radio and the Democratization of Technology

CQ magazine editor Rich Moseson W2VU writes of the connection between maker culture and ham radio traditions.

He says:

"The spirit of figuring out how it works and making it work better (or do something completely different) is so ingrained in our culture that it has even become part of the FCC rules that govern our operation [§97.1(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.].

"Experimentation is not only permitted, it is encouraged. Hams are the only FCC licensees who, as a group, are permitted to build and modify their own gear and who are generally exempted from FCC equipment certification requirements."

Read the June 2010 CQ magazine editorial at
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_zero_bias/
2010/0610_zero_bias.pdf

Making the Future: What DIY Culture is Telling Us About Tomorrow
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/december2009/
making_the_future.htm

BBC video - Meet the gadget hackers - London Hackspace
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/june2009/
diy_gadgetry.htm