The Advancement Of The Radio Art and The Enhancement of International Goodwill

U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

 

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.

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On a recent podcast I mentioned that I like the phrase "the radio art."  I also mentioned that I heard some objections to this term.  A couple of guys wrote in on this --see below. 
I found out that the phrase features prominently in Part 97 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.  This is the document that establishes ham radio in the U.S.  (see above)
I really like the last line of the first section of Part 97: e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.  Yea!  That's us!  The International Brotherhood of Electronic Wizards! 

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Bill:

Was listening to episode 180 and heard you mention that some people had taken exception to using the label “Art” for radio electronics.  You should refer them to the Webster’s definition of art,

 

art. noun \ˈärt\ : something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings. 

 

Often the patent office, much older than radio, will invalidate a patent application based on “prior art”.

 

Keep up the great podcast!  As soon as I finish a couple of other projects, I’m going to try to build Pete’s LBS design.  First, I have got to get a mobile rig installed in my new truck, commuting without it is just too boring.

 

72,

Don

WD4ON

 

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Bill:

I was listening to episode #180 on the on the way into my office this morning and wanted to send you a quick note on the phrase "radio arts." Another example of why "art" is indeed the proper term is that the United States Patent Office (USPTO) classifies patents into, you guessed it "Art Units": http://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/patent-search/understanding-patent-classifications/patent-classification .

For example, Art Unit 2621, Class 178 - Telegraphy (http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/uspc178/defs178.htm) which is related to Class 455 Telecommunications (http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/uspc455/defs455.htm)

and many many more as you can well imagine.

Going even further, the basis for our patent system is in Article One, Section 8, Clause 8 of the US Constitution:

"To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;"

Which in turn was the basis for the first patent statute, The Patent Act of 1790: http://docs.law.gwu.edu/facweb/claw/patact1790.htm

Keep up the good work in furthering the radio arts!

73,

Tim

KA9EAK

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