I think we agree, the issue isn't whether there should be a test. The
real question is what skills should the test validate and why. I don't
think that there is a test around that will keep the CB crowd and
other riffraff out of the ham bands. A tour below 4mhz in the evening
or tuning in to certain frequencies above 14mhz shows that code is
pretty much a failure in that regard. I think if the test is focused
on skills that are needed to operate safely and effectively today that
we have the best chance of attracting new blood to the hobby.
At the abstract level, the test should be stringent. But once passed
the license holder should have access to all bands allocated to radio
amateurs.
I said it once, but it is worth repeating. The point in time where
amateur radio operators can contribute something to emergency
communications has passed. From what I have heard during hurricane
season they seem to get in one anothers way more than anything else.
It would be nice to think that a cadre of amateur radio operators with
key in hand are at the ready to help in a natural disaster. The
reality is somehting different. It is best to think of amateur radio
as somehting that interested hobbyists can engage in if they can prove
it can be done safely and courteously.
"Stinger" wrote in message ...
Actually, John, I agree with what you're saying as far as some sort of
"entrance test" idea goes. Code has served in large part in the past, but
if it were replaced with something that required the same committment and
education, it could be a good thing.
HF mentioned that I was repeating the "badge of honor" argument in my
earlier post. Perhaps I did paraphrase it. But that's not a refutation of
my point -- it's what I believe. We just disagree. Let's try a test.....
I urge anyone leaning toward supporting a policy of "If you can afford it,
you can operate it" to listen to CB radio in any major US city. If you
haven't done this, you cannot imagine what those frequencies are like now.
Now, ask yourself which is better for amateur radio -- a smaller population
of dedicated hobbyists on the air, ready to assist in emergencies, or a much
larger population of vandalistic undisciplined, disrespectful radio
operators that could **** off ham operators around the world, frustrating
anyone that would want to take ham up as a hobby?
-- Stinger
"John S." wrote in message
om...
Said another way, hams that are willing to learn how to send and
receive morse code should be recognized for their newly attained
skill. It is equally important to recognize that those skills can
only be put to use with a gradually shrinking group of other amateur
radio operators. Morse code is no longer used in any meaningful way
by the military, in commerce or in emergency operations. It is a
skill with only limited useful application, sort of like knowing how
to use a buggywhip.
If the gatekeepers are going to reverse the declining trends in the
amateur radio hobby they are going to have to find new ways to attract
younger members. One way would be to craft an entrance test that
corresponds to the way the world is now. To provide some level of
assurance for safety and courteous operations it is necessary to have
some sort of test to become a licensed radio operator. The applicant
should be able to demonstrate a good working knowlege of radio and
electronic principles. The applicant should also be able to
demonstrate the ability to set up and operate radio equipment and show
that they have the skills to communicate effectively using voice and
digital modes on several bands from HF on up. The semi-digital very
slow morse code should not be a part of that test.
I've heard the argument that knowlege of code is needed to support
domestic emergency operations. Well, I have yet to see a recent
example of hams providing a meaningful contribution to some emergency
project. I do remember a severe carribean hurricane that resulted in
much damage. Numerous hams were trying to contribute to an H&W net,
but the babble of simultaneous voice and morse code made it all but
impossible to understand anything. Emergency operations should be
left to the professionals with the requisite communications tools and
skills needed to communicate effectively in an emergency situation.
HFguy wrote in message ...
Stinger wrote:
Bottom line, it's too bad the trend is toward dropping the
requirement.
Until now, the morse code requirement served the dual purpose as a de
facto
"intelligence test" to get in to ham radio, and it also required some
committment (which in turn gets hams to respect the medium).
What I think worries everyone is that without this requirement, the
bar will
be lowered to the extent of becoming glorified Citizens Band radio.
And that would be a shame.
-- Stinger
You're repeating the well worn 'badge of honor' justification for
requiring morse code, otherwise known as 'I had to do it, so everyone
should.' Contrary to what many pro-coders want to believe, the ability
to learn morse code has very little to do with higher intelligence. In
fact it can be argued that there may be a reverse relationship. It's not
unusual for very intelligent people to find it harder to learn certain
skills, which are easier for those of average intelligence. Learning
morse code may be an example of this. I've known people who were very
good at code but were lost when it came to understanding complex
subjects requiring a higher level of reasoning. IOW- the ability to
learn morse code is not a valid IQ test.
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