Tom - Thanks for creating this thought experiment. It IS something that should be discussed. My elevator pitch is going to center around technical experimentation, but I think these points are important from FCC 97.1:
(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.
Emergency communication capability is obviously important, but more about how we understand how to communicate in an emergency, and less about using our radios in an emergency.
It's an interesting activity we are involved in. I think I've described it before as a hobby of hobbies because there are so many interesting rabbit holes to wander down.
I've struggled with this too! "Oh, you mean you talk to truckers." Please continue to refine this.
Tom - Thanks for creating this thought experiment. It IS something that should be discussed. My elevator pitch is going to center around technical experimentation, but I think these points are important from FCC 97.1:
(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.
Emergency communication capability is obviously important, but more about how we understand how to communicate in an emergency, and less about using our radios in an emergency.
It's an interesting activity we are involved in. I think I've described it before as a hobby of hobbies because there are so many interesting rabbit holes to wander down.
One commenter did provide a link to Part 97 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97) which does need to be incorporated somewhere, somehow.