From: Michael Coslo on Sep 20, 8:09 am

Frank Gilliland wrote:

Now that's not an argument either for or against the dropping of the
code requirement. Like I said before, it's no big deal. And like I
also said before, what -IS- a big deal is the dumbing down of the
written test.

Sometimes I think that the "dumbing down" is a factor of the maturing
Ham looking at how things appear from the vantage point of time and
accumulated knowledge.

Excellent point and very true to the general situation.

They might remember the test seeming very difficult when they took it.
Then they look at modern tests (if they even do look at them) and
conclude that the modern tests are exceptionally easy, when it is simply
that they have learned much in the years that have passed since their
own tests.

Some infer that they were ALWAYS knowledgeable experts. :-)

They were NEVER "dumb" and Their Tests were of the highest,
most difficult professional standards possible. yawn


I still don't understand why there is so much bitching
(from both sides) about the code test yet almost no discussion about
the 'memory' test. Anyone care to explain that?

When we do attempt to discuss something else, for some reason or
another, it gets redirected to the Morse code issue.

NPRM 05-143 is the hottest POLICY topic for United States
amateur radio right now. It is concerned solely on the
elimination or retention of the morse code test for any
class amateur radio license examination. It is NOT
concerned with changing any of the written test elements.

In case you're wondering, THIS newsgroup was originally
created JUST FOR the code test issue, years ago when
rec.radio.amateur.miscellaneous filled up too much with
code test discussions/arguments/flaming.