First of all, the word "amateur" is derived from the latin verb "amo, amas, amat".
Used in English, it means "for the love of", NOT "for the compensation of"
To say that Amateur Radio operators are "Unskilled" is way off base too. Throughout the history of amateur radio, amateur radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to society. Here are just a few examples:
- Built Economies: people.smu.edu/arc/ Inventor of IC "chip", Nobel Prize Winner Jack S. Kilby Credits Amateur Radio for His Start in Electronics.
- Created industry: http://www.bliley.net/XTAL/Industry-Hams.htmlTHE INFLUENCE OF AMATEUR RADIO ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL MARKET FOR QUARTZ PIEZOELECTRIC RESONATORS IN THE UNITED STATES. By Patrick R. J. Brown, Hewlett Packard Company, Spokane Division
- Empowered nations: www.ari.vt.edu/internet/Impression/ICT.pdf Role of Amateur Radio in Development Communication of Bangladesh. Information & Communication Technology for Development. By Bazlur Rahman
- Saved lives: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/12/29/100/?nc=1 Amateur Radio "Saved Lives" in South Asia ARRL.org
Amateur radio is a hobby and, by law, is completely non-commercial. Individual amateur "ham" radio operators pursue their hobby for personal pleasure through building their own radio stations - granted, not so much of that is going on these days - but, many still do. They communicate with their fellow Hams globally, and most strive for self-improvement through study and practice of electronics, computers, and radio / TV RF theory.
Radio amateurs are, thus, "amateurs" in the true sense of the word: pursuit of an activity only for the love of it.
Please excuse me now while I climb back down off my soap box.
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