KH6HZ wrote:

...
Personally, I think the service needs to stop focusing on raw numbers of
licensed hams, and instead on the *quality* of those hams licensed. I would
rather have 5 hams licensed who are interested in antenna theory, emergency
communications, etc., rather than 10 hams who are interested in using ham
radio as a cheap cell phone.

Give me quantity. Antenna "theory" has not changed in 50 years, it is a
given--a "known" in its present state. We need mind to come up with
new ideas, apply newly discovered physics and give us something new to
work with.

The current structure of the theory examinations is a joke. They really do
nothing to ensure the applicant has a through knowledge of the topical
material. For example, you could have failed each and every question on
rules and regulations, and yet still obtained your license, simply because
you know math well. This is not, IMO, a good thing. We are, however,
unlikely to see this change for the positive, and highly likely to see the
theory examinations weakened further as we move to a "simply mail in your
605, no exam needed" ham radio of the future.

73
kh6hz

What do they need to know to grab their rig, coax and antenna off ebay
and begin in the amateur bands, oh yeah, and know band limits and modes.

JS
--
http://assemblywizard.tekcities.com