> the amateurs should have the basic good sense to leave the airwaves to the professionals
That's pretty unfair. Amateurs often help out with communications after natural disasters, and historically have often been the first to setup radio communication in areas struck by natural disasters.
Situations were HAM operators can get packet radio through but cell phone towers and land lines remain down are not unimaginable or unprecedented.
(edit it's possible we're confusing each other's meaning. "amatuer radio operator" typically implies "licensed amatuer radio operator", in the same sense of licensed amatuer pilots. It's possible (even very common) to be licensed but not a professional.)
That's pretty unfair. Amateurs often help out with communications after natural disasters, and historically have often been the first to setup radio communication in areas struck by natural disasters.
Situations were HAM operators can get packet radio through but cell phone towers and land lines remain down are not unimaginable or unprecedented.
(edit it's possible we're confusing each other's meaning. "amatuer radio operator" typically implies "licensed amatuer radio operator", in the same sense of licensed amatuer pilots. It's possible (even very common) to be licensed but not a professional.)