Brenda:

Do you actually think a ham, in his garage, is going to invent a new
type of device, in his garage, which is going to function like a tube
or transistor--now that might be possible--just not very likely.

They (new hams) need to know the band allocations, they need to know
about modern methods of data transmission, data
compaction/encryption--to make real advancements. They need to be
very computer savvy!

Mostly, they need to know how to operate a radio, take a look at the
new ones, with smc components and such, no one is going to be building
much equipment anymore, maybe linears and antennas, but that is about
it.

Even if a ham knows how to build a crystal radio, a trf receiver, a
regen receiver or a QRP transmitter--he darn sure is NOT going to use
it.

The new ham gear will be your computer with a pci receiver board and
xmitter board stuck into it--maybe an external power amp...

Times have changed, the tests are simply changing to reflect those
changes... of course the old timers are having a problem
adapting--read about peoples views and feelings when the automobile
replaced the horse and buggy--took decades and if you read the
articles of the time, was hauntingly familiar!!!

John

"Brenda Ann" wrote in message
...

"John Smith" wrote in message
...
You point is the current question pool is a lot easier than knowing
methods/terminology/material/concepts which have been
abandoned/changed/re-evaluated?

Really, well that is what I meant too!

ROFLOL!!!

John

No. My point is that nobody needs to know ANYTHING to get an amateur
radio
license, because all the questions in the FCC question pool are
published
for anyone that wants to look for them. I don't know about where
you grew
up, but when and where I grew up, this was commonly referred to as
cheating,
and used to result in a failing grade. The fact is, most current
'appliance
operators' don't know anything about the equipment, modes,
propogation, or
operational/electronics theory behind the equipment they are using.
And the
aforementioned knowledge is part of the point behind amateur radio.
Hams are
not inventing anything new.. manufacturers are.