A very smart guy recently reminded me that the "art" reference is contained in the FCC's Basis and Purpose regulation, Section 97.1(b) of the FCC Amateur Service rules:
§ 97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an
amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the
following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to
the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(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.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to
enhance international goodwill.
While it certainly wasn't Aristotle who wrote that regulation, I am a student of that Philosopher (among others) and I will assure you that he would have no doubt but that there is a radio "art" and that a licensee could well be proud to be a contributor to it. There is beauty in Amateur Radio and to my mind, it should be celebrated.
Just sayin'.
73, Chris W3KD
