In article , "Carl R. Stevenson"
writes:
I've been licensed for well over 25 years.
I've been licensed for well over 36 years.
The ham bands have *not*
"become sounding like CB over the last 17 years" -
Not the CW/digital subbands, anyway. The 'phone bands are another story...
there have always
been a few bad apples - MANY of them OTs who passed the 20 wpm
Morse test and believe they are some sort of gods.
SOME of them, anyway.
But ALL of them passed the written tests, too.
Yes, new hams may make some operating errors and they may need
a little coaching and immersion in the "culture" of ham radio to get to
the point where they sound experienced. We ALL made such mistakes
I didn't.
when we first got on the air - learning by doing is the best way to learn.
Not for everything.
I was unhappy with the ARRL's policy on Morse testing for a long time,
and I'm still not happy with the aspect of their new proposal that would
keep Morse testing for Extra. (Though I have nothing to gain personally,
since I'm already an Extra.)
Nor do I...
HOWEVER, the ARRL does SO much good for ham radio that I finally
decided to take out a life membership - BEFORE their proposal came
out (not knowing what position they'd take on the code test).
If all the OT's bail out on the ARRL over this, they will be cutting off
their noses to spite their face.
Agree 100%!
I encourage everyone to maintain their ARRL membership. And, I
encourage those who aren't members to join. The best way to influence
the ARRL in a progressive direction is from the inside - join, then talk to
your ARRL Director, make your views known, and let him/her know that
your vote in the next ARRL Director election in your division depends on
their performance.
Exactly.
So tell us what you think of the ARRL proposal, Carl. We already know about the
code test, so let's just skip that part.
What do you think of:
1) the "NewNovice" idea? (easy entry-level exam, limited power, more HF modes
and spectrum, less VHF/UHF)
2) closing Tech to new issues?
3) free upgrades for Techs and Tech Pluses to General?
4) free upgrades for Advanceds to Extra?
5) widening of some of the 'phone image subbands?
I say 1) and 2) are good ideas. The rest are bad ideas.
What say you?
73 de Jim, N2EY
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