You can't say that on the radio...

[rapidcharger]

Originally Posted by KT4EB

That's exactly my point. I PERSONALLY don't consider them swear words, but in my 17 years as a ham I don't recall anyone using them on the air, and the ones that did were considered lids (poor operators.)


Since I've never seen a definitive list of what is and isn't acceptable, I don't want to lecture a new ham and be wrong.

Then don't lecture them because there is no definitive list. The FCC just doesn't care that much to police the content of everyone's conversation. Just because you haven't heard it said doesn't make it illegal.
You may want to tell them they're being a lid though.

A lot of things aren't usually talked about that are perfectly legal....
Politics, religion, hate speech, the list goes on and on

[kf4sek]

Regardless of what the rules say, in my opinion, this type of language is not needed on the amateur bands. The occasional slip of damn, crap, or hell is going to happen. However, as hams, we are supposed to leave the cursing off the radio. Our transmissions are not private and you may not know who is listening; children, scanner listeners, etc.. We are supposed to set an example on the radio. That is why they stress that in the licensing process. If they (FCC) wanted another CB wasteland, we would not be required to take tests to become hams. Maybe I am old school but that is what I was taught when I was licensed. Leave the cursing off the radio. I had an elmer who drilled that into me, both on and off the radio. He is silent key now. However, now that I am older, I see exactly what he meant.

My advice.....Have a sit down meeting with this young ham and explain that, while the occasional slip will be okay, he should not make it a point to use this type of language on the radio.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.

[kb2vxa]

Your 2c is priceless, the bottom line is foul language has no place in Amateur Radio.

[exkalibur]

Part 97 says "obscene or indecent words or language". However, it doesn't specify what it defines as "obscene or indecent words or language". So the hell with that - say whatever you want. If someone doesn't like it, they can change the channel. I wouldn't use any blatant words such as "F" and such - but to say "****s and giggles" or "hell"? Those aren't obscene or indecent. They're common place these days.

[W2IBC]

Originally Posted by exkalibur

Part 97 says "obscene or indecent words or language". However, it doesn't specify what it defines as "obscene or indecent words or language". So the hell with that - say whatever you want. If someone doesn't like it, they can change the channel. I wouldn't use any blatant words such as "F" and such - but to say "****s and giggles" or "hell"? Those aren't obscene or indecent. They're common place these days.

again define indecent and obscene

saying "I am going to f the girl next door tonight" id consider indecent or obscene

saying "i am f'ing tired of these idiots in government doing what they want instead of listening to the people" I do not consider indecent or obscene.

so again its all in interpretaion

[ab3a]

You can be quite obscene without using any of the seven dirty words. You can also be quite profound and instructive by using them.

The goal is to communicate, not to enrage. A ham radio license is not intended to be a free speech soapbox for you to broadcast your views to the public. It was intended instead as a vehicle to communicate. There is a difference.

[n5ims]

Originally Posted by W2IBC

again define indecent and obscene

As I posted earlier, the defination (by the FCC no less) of indecent, obscene, and profane is at this link (you asked for it again so here it is again, please don't ask for it a third time) Obscenity, Indecency and Profanity | FCC.gov

[pjtnascar]

Try this:

My kids/grandkids/wife are here. Please watch the cussin'. Or something like that.This will politely remind the guy that youngsters and wives often are present when we are on the radio. I'd have no problem politely reminding the offender.

[jparks29]

You can say b1+(# on tv/radio, and you can say $#!+ if it's after 10pm, iirc.

I cuss like a sailor........... EXCEPT when I'm on the radio....

I go by George Carlin's definition

[k3cfc]

Don't say anything on the radio you wouldn't say in front of your mother.

K3CFC

Unless your a slob!

[k3td]

Originally Posted by k3cfc

Don't say anything on the radio you wouldn't say in front of your mother.

K3CFC

Unless your a slob!

Very wise advice - just because you can legally do something doesn't mean you should!

[rapidcharger]

So many people seem to be under this impression that women and children don't curse and should be shielded from curse words.

That's probably why slang terms for two common bodily functions have become so taboo to begin with. Those words don't hurt anyone, and they don't seem to offend anyone either. In most of the civilized world they don't bleep or blur those words. It's kinda ridiculous when you think about it. All this trouble they go through to put in delays and bleep and blur primarily 2 little words when everyone can tell what they're saying anyway. It's just stupid.

The other milder words like a+2 letters and b+4 letters and h+3 letters are used all the time on Jay Leno. I seriously doubt if Jay Leno is using them that they are really all that offensive anymore. Then again, he does come on after 10pm and everyone knows 10pm is when all the women and children go to bed.

Strangely however the words and images that really do hurt people and really do offend people are used far more commonly on the air and in broadcast and there's no rules prohibiting them at any hour of the day.

It boils down to having good operating practices and being respectful of others and the wishes of the repeater owner. People aren't always born with good operating practices. That's where the OP comes in.

[WB4CS]

Thank you to everyone for your input and suggestions. Several of you are correct, curse words are subjective and what might be offensive to one person isn't offensive to another. The main purpose of this tread was not to have a debate on the social stance of what is offensive, but rather what is and is not allowed on the ham bands per the FCC rules.

In an update to this situation, after doing some research and talking with some local hams here, it has become apparent that the person in question is possibly not a licensed ham, but rather is borrowing someone else's call sign, and has (as of yesterday) began causing malicious interference on several repeaters. So, this issue will be going to the approiate people in my area for reporting such operations.

Thanks again everyone for the input!

73s

[reedeb]

Originally Posted by kb2vxa

Your 2c is priceless, the bottom line is foul language has no place in Amateur Radio.

AMEN!!! Keep it clean.

[W2IBC]

Originally Posted by n5ims

As I posted earlier, the defination (by the FCC no less) of indecent, obscene, and profane is at this link (you asked for it again so here it is again, please don't ask for it a third time) Obscenity, Indecency and Profanity | FCC.gov

again that is for BROADCAST radio. not for two way radio.

Community Standards, and Amateur Radio Free Speech

[K0JAD]

I've been a ham about 32 years and a ham "groupie" swl since 1946. Hams today are a reflection of society in general. There was a time when one of the code of conduct of the ARRL stated to avoid politics on the air. Bad language was not common and hams didn't even hint of alcohol use on air. Like the rest of the human community, all that has been eroded by our relaxation of good taste and discipline. I am no prude. I am 76 years old, ex military and I have been around but I get offended when I tune on a QSO and hear the filth and disrespect for our President. We should all remember, we can easily offend others with our own personal opinion about those matters.

[n5ims]

Originally Posted by W2IBC

again that is for BROADCAST radio. not for two way radio.

Community Standards, and Amateur Radio Free Speech

As was indicated in my earlier post on this topic. The point was made since the FCC often will allow the specifics defined for one service apply to other services when only generalities are specified.

While that guideline is for the broadcast licensees, it should help to define what may be appropriate in other areas as well.

My earlier post further provided specifics to the amateur rules.

Specifically to the amateur service now (emphasis added). FCC Rule "97.113 - Prohibited transmissions" "a) No amateur station shall transmit:" "(4) Music using a phone emission except as specifically provided elsewhere in this section; communications intended to facilitate a criminal act; messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning, except as otherwise provided herein; obscene or indecent words or language; or false or deceptive messages, signals or identification."

One may argue that this prohibits language that is "obscene" and "indecent", but may not prohibit language that is simply "profane". This argument doesn't say that it's right to use profanity over the radio, but it may not exactly be against the rules.

How about we let this discussion return to the original point at hand.

[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by K0JAD

I've been a ham about 32 years and a ham "groupie" swl since 1946. Hams today are a reflection of society in general. There was a time when one of the code of conduct of the ARRL stated to avoid politics on the air. Bad language was not common and hams didn't even hint of alcohol use on air. Like the rest of the human community, all that has been eroded by our relaxation of good taste and discipline. I am no prude. I am 76 years old, ex military and I have been around but I get offended when I tune on a QSO and hear the filth and disrespect for our President. We should all remember, we can easily offend others with our own personal opinion about those matters.

14.313 is an example of what ham radio is coming to and they say it has been going on for a long time. when i was a kid one saturday morning we were trying to watch cartoons and there was a man on there wiping out the picture and cussing. the cable co.determined it was a man across the street drunk and on a ham radio. it wasn't long after that there was a bunch of men taking the tower down and removing everything from the basement. that was the end of him.LOL

K3CFC

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

I'm happy to be a HAM so I try not to swear or talk about politics on the air.I figure either way it would offend somebody...politics anyway swearing I would try to never do. I know it just has no place on amateur radio.

[TheSpaceMan]

Originally Posted by k3cfc

14.313 is an example of what ham radio is coming to and they say it has been going on for a long time. when i was a kid one saturday morning we were trying to watch cartoons and there was a man on there wiping out the picture and cussing. the cable co.determined it was a man across the street drunk and on a ham radio. it wasn't long after that there was a bunch of men taking the tower down and removing everything from the basement. that was the end of him.LOL

K3CFC

Wow. Are you sure that the man across the street wasn't a CBer?