) writes:
On 16 Feb 2005 04:07:30 GMT, (Michael Black)
wrote:
As I told you last summer, whether someone has passed the code test
or not has no relevance. It's whether someone has passed the advanced test.
Since it's a mix and match system, people can pass the advanced test
without taking a code test. They can build all the transmitters all
they want at that point, but since they haven't passed the code test
they have no HF privileges.
There is no "no code license" in Canada. There are two levels of license,
and either one can be no-code.
I wasn't sure if the countries involved but my understanding was
Canadian rules are similar to US in style and form. Other countries
are beyond my knowledge. I'd expect from articles I've read
and the calibar of those authors there are many that allow home built
equipment and may even encourage it.
Allison
Kb1GMX
When things were restructured here back in 1990, the basic test/license
specifically forbade the use of homebuilt transmitters. It's only
after one passes the advanced test that one can use homebuilt transmitters
(and it allows for 1000watts input versus 250W for the basic license,
and the control of repeaters).
But his error is in reading the rules to mean that you have to have code
to pass the advanced test, and thus to build transmitters. The code tests
(back then there were both a 5 and 12wpm tests, now it's only 5wpm) were
independent of the written tests. With no code test, but the advanced
license, one has full privileges, though it all has to be above 30MHz.
The code test(s) only add HF capability, whether you have the basic
or advanced license.
This is in contrast to the US model, where advancing did require a code
test at some point.
Up till 1990, of course anyone with a ham license here could build their
own transmitter (and the only thing the advanced license gave was
voice on HF). When I was licensed back in 1972, it was still called
the Amateur Experimental Service, though that full name was dropped
at some point without comment.
The impression people had was that since few were building things,
then this wouldn't affect many. But by making the written test
simpler, it would "make it easier" for people to enter the hobby.
I've not realy looked over what the test is like, but I sure had no
problem passing the test back in 1972, when I was twelve. But ironically,
if few are building things, those few won't be doing much damage even
if they don't know what they are doing. Indeed, it's likely that only
people who know what they are doing would be building, hence the state
of the test shouldn't matter.
I don't like the rule, since it does change the hobby, and institutionalizes
a perception of the hobby.
But like I said, code has nothing to do with whether or not someone can
build their transmitter.
Michael VE2BVW