"Steve N." wrote in
:


"Slow Code" wrote in message
t...
"Steve N." wrote in
:

Slow,
Can you address any of my comments in my previous, or here ?

Unfortunately, it appears not too well..


is it true that everything else is unimportant to you -
only the quality? [there always have been jerks around.]

So let's have more?

...is not an answer to my question and this question provides no
clue.
It implies I said that more jerks will result from those that will
always be there...I think. or that I want more...


You appreciate something more that you had to work to achieve, and
respect the rewards it gives.
...snip...
Yea.... I understand ... but what about putting the
prospective ham through other, more rigorous hoops, like electronic
theory, emcom, etc. Why won't more modern "hoops" work the same way
to bolster the individual's respect for the service?

Yes, 85% passing score for writtens.

OK, 85% is another kind of hoop. but Please answer my "Why"
question.


Ham numbers are declining.

I believe this is true, but what is you reason for stating this?
Are you glad this is happening or sad or indifferent?

The numbers don't matter, quality does.

OK, so this seems to answer my other question. While I agree,
that in
a perfect world I would also restrict licences to only those who have a
decent head on their shoulders...however, do _you_ trust _me_ to decide
whose head is good?

These are my last questions:
Do you believe:
1- CW and 85% on exams will prevent or seriously limit the number of
knuckleheads who sneek through?
2- That I am lying when I tell of some no-code techs that I personally
know are the most serious, level headed and law abiding hams I know?
3- That I am lying when I tell you that I also know some very good hams
who came up through CB and are just as law abiding when on the ham bands
as anyone, just as serious about being good citizens, do emergency prep
work and help others?

Reasoning a service is good because it has lots of members,

[ is incorrent reasoning] is what the implied completion of that
sentence
is.

I agree. There have been and are some pretty wacko
organizations.
...but...

CB should be great then, but it's like a kindergarten.
Is a gross generalization. How often do you listen? How many
"CB'ers"
have you recently talked to?

I listen once in a while just to see what's going on and be able to
speak with first hand knowledge, and do hear some garbage, but I also
hear of how it has helped in aread and ther ewere no hams around to
help. Also, some areas have been worse than others,


1- I believe you have a limited view of CB [and no, I haven't been a
"CB'er" but I have carried a radio on a few, I think two long trips
where I would have trouble getting into repeaters for long periods.]. I
have been helped by "CBers".
2- what percentage of CB users are jerks?
3- What percentage of hams are jerks? then...
4- What percentage of jerks makes the service bad?

My suggestions
CW optional as it is now for *ALL* modes, but remove from the
tests...except possibly for Extra - my jury's still out on this.
85-87% on tests, but
Much more on propagation, antenna systems and emergency station
operations and emergency communications and laws.


Then some others in the "if I were Amateur Radio Service God"
department... Currency requiremets like pilots that include familiarity
recent developments.
Proof of license, and that you can understand, explain and operate at
least 90% of the functions on a radio in order to buy.
If I wanted to be an old timer, I'd also require construction of
something...knowledge of the history of ham Radio.
Then being more modern, something like proficiency in software, digital
modes and satellite ops.
Gee, I should spend more time on these.... not. More important fish to
fry.

Sorry, guys, I just couldn't resist a little chain jerking here.
73, Steve, K9DCI

At lease I got sc to answer a few questions ... sort of.


Maybe you have a few CB buddies you'd like to see get licensed, and
dumbing things down will help, I don't know. Outcome based licensing. No
one wants to be a ham if they have to work a little harder for the license
and so no one wants to support having a good test to get one.

sc