"Bert Craig" wrote:
"Kim W5TIT" wrote:

Bert, if you're using popularity as a
justification--and the test questions
may have changed to inlcude this
since I entered ham radio--then why
are there no questions or
demonstration required during testing
for the *number 1* most popular
mode of operation?

Because for 99.9% of ARO's, speach
is a skill that's already in our toolbox
upon entry into the ARS.


I understand Kim's point. Lets try it from this perspective. If you're one
of the millions of immigrants entering this country, the speech we use on
the radio, and on the radio tests, in this country is not already in the
"toolbox." And Spanish certainly isn't in the "toolbox" of many other Hams
in this country. So, even if you ignore any skills needed for the voice
modes (however minor), there is still some validity in Kim's argument.
Spanish is use more often the CW in this country (more popular), so perhaps
we should test all operators on the ability to speak Spanish like we test
for CW now. Or, since English is more common (popular) in this country today
than Spanish, perhaps we should test all on the ability to speak English
like we test for CW now. In other words, as Kim says, popularity alone is
not a justification for a code test unless it is equally so for voice.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/