What is the difference between the two?

A ham operator might put out 20W of ERP while a radio station operates at 100W though international broadcasters use upto 500 kW.

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drivers99 15 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Part 97 defines broadcasting as "Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed."

Then there's a section that says:

> An amateur station shall not engage in any form of broadcasting, nor may an amateur station transmit one-way communications except as specifically provided in these rules

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-97#p-97.113(b)

Since "broadcasting" is prohibited (except for the exceptions), there is a distinction. There actually are a number of exceptions that allow different kinds of one-way transmissions though.

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subscribed 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> What is the difference

Except the CQ you only transmit for the specific recipient.

I believe broadcasting in one way only (there's no conversation part).

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mesh 16 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

In the US with an amateur radio license you can have one to one communication (transmit) but not one to many (broadcast).

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lacunary 13 hours ago | parent [-]

hmm, been a minute since I got my ticket, but neither calling CQ nor working a net seem like one to one.

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amatecha 9 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The difference is the intent - calling CQ is the protocol for seeking a contact to communicate with. It's not broadcasting because you're trying to establish comms with someone, and not disseminating information "one-to-many". Running a net inherently intends to engage in contact with numerous stations - by definition not "broadcasting".

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scarecrowbob 13 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Isn't it the case that it's not a CQ unless someone responds?

Like, the response is kind of important for either a CQ or a net... whereas if I broadcast a pirate radio I am doing what I am trying to do just by sending.

	▲	lacunary 12 hours ago \| parent [-]
		yes I think two-way vs one-way communication is a good characterization

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sitzkrieg 10 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

the intention is to make a contact, not disseminate one way information. that is broadcasting