Dee D. Flint wrote:
"N2EY" wrote in message
...
However, I think that one of the problems today is that the entry-level
license
is too VHF/UHF/voice/applicane operator-centric.
The entry level license should offer a wide selection of bands and modes,
rather than what we have now where newcomers get all of VHF/UHF but no HF.
73 de Jim, N2EY
Newcomers with any gumption can have some HF if they choose to pass the
code.
Indeed!
Tech study guide and test does include some very basic questions on
HF propagation, procedures, rules, etc. Unfortunately too many instructors
ignore the HF side of things and don't bother to give much encouragement to
go after the code so then the students end up on VHF/UHF only. My
instructor, many moons ago, really emphasized going for the "complete" Tech
license (Novice written + Tech written + code). I'm glad he did.
Although there isn't a tech plus any more, if I were to teach a class, I
would leave no doubt that I expected the students to go on beyond the
Technician license, and would probably even have a little time devoted
to trying out Morse code to see what would happen. But even for the new
licenses, if Morse code goes by the wayside, I'd include a little bit of
the General information to try to whet the student's appetites for one
of the advanced licenses.
Question for the group:
Is learning more a bad thing or something?
- mike KB3EIA -
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