On Mar 5, 7:02 pm, "Stefan Wolfe" wrote:
"Thomas Horne" wrote in message

nk.net...





Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
groups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.

Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses. All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our
Extra written) and those who passed code got everything while those who
didn't were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two
groups into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed.
While some countries did have an entry license with a simpler written
there were others who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal
classes and you were not allowed to take the test if you had just studied
on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would certainly
be good for the technical education industry but does that make it a good
thing for amateur radio.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along those
lines.

The European approach with one "extra" license class and compulsory
classroom training is not such a bad idea for people who operate on HF. Can
you imagine that we are now allowing kb9rqz to operate a linear amp whose
plate voltage might be /= 3KV? Do you think kb9rqz is technically qualified
to open an AL80-B and change the 3-500Z tube? What if he forgets (or doesn't
know to) bleed the the DC bulk caps or even forgets to unplug it? When he
electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license exam to
blame. Perhaps linear amp usage should be restricted to extra class, or, we
should apply the above stated European approach.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Plenty of Morse Code Tested Generals, Advanced, and Extras have had
their health records closed by amplifiers and towers. And Mark has
had 1,500W privs from the Get-Go. So what are you whining about now?