an_old_friend wrote:
Should Hams in their operator respect the intent of the rules or just
obey the letter?

IMHO, hams should respect the intent of the rules as well as the exact
letter of the rules.

The trouble is that different hams have different ideas as to what
the intent really is.

Should hams Hide behind the rules or stand up and say you know I think
this is right and the rules are wrong

If someone thinks a rule can be improved, they should say so. However,
they should understand that simply because they think a rule isn't the
way it should be doesn't make it 'wrong'.

I don't see how someone can "hide behind the rules".

Are we self policing or not?

Should we be self policing?

A lot depends on what is meant by "self-policing".

IMHO, hams themselves can do the following:

- Inform fellow hams of observed or suspected violations ("Did you know
your signal is so wide it's bringing up the repeater on the adjacent
frequency?"

- Set a good example in rules compliance

- Inform FCC of uncorrected violations

- Have nothing to do with those who commit repeated and/or serious
violations.

But enforcement by FCC is still needed. That doesn't mean FCC is
expected to do everything, however.

73 de Jim, N2EY