"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message
...
Having been a ham
for over 35 years and into electrical and electronic work, I can run
through
a test in less than 15 minuits and get around a 85% or higher. That is
not
even looking at the study questions in many years. I think a 70% is
passing.
Ralph, a lot has changed in the last 35 years. The tests are not designed
to make sure that everyone who passes could build a transceiver from
an old AM radio, or recognize the design of one.
They are now based on the concept that many hams will start out with a
store bought rig and work up from that. In order to pass, you have to
show enough understanding of electricity, electronics and RF that you
don't endanger yourself, anyone else or cause any damage to the equipment.
You also have to show enough knowledge of ham bands and operating
procedure
that you don't endanger anyone else, though you possibly could get some
people upset.
BTW, have you taken the test recently, over the years it has included new
things that hams did not have to know or care about. When I studied for
the extra exam (1996)*, it included tv stuff such as fields and frames.
Now that NTSC is dead, I wonder if it is still there and if it is, how
long it will be.
Geoff.
* just to be compelete, I never had time to take the 20wpm test before I
moved here, so I have an advanced class license. I live in one of the few
countries in the world that the VEC's were asked NOT to give tests in.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
I have taken the practice tests on qrz.com several times just to see how
well I can do. That is without doing any studying for them. Took it on
qrz.com a few weeks ago after our club had a hamfest and gave some tests.
Just wanted to refresh my memory of the questions.
I am a VEC with the local club. Have been from the time I passed the Extra.
Forgot the exect year, but it was about a year before the FCC totally
eliminated the 20 wpm code. Have to admitt that if it was not a choice
question test that I could not have done the 20 wpm.
The test as it is now is made to get more hams on the air. I think it is
good.
Should probably be more on the rules and operating proceduers, sort of like
a drivers license test. There are very few new hams that can work on the
modern rigs. I can handle the older tube and transisitor rigs, but do not
even try to look at the latest rigs.
HOwever the test is a joke. Years ago my wife passed the the Technician
test and I doubt she could plug in a rig and hook up the antenna.. Around
1972 I passed the first class phone test. Only 22 years old and had never
seen a TV or comercial radio station transmitter, but that licened me to
work on them. Never did get into the radio or tv field like I thought I
would like to. Did not pay as much as the other jobs I had over the years.
NTSC is dead for comercial use in the usa, but probably will be used in the
ham bands for a long time. Just as RTTY is. I have an old modle 19 set for
rtty and it is still working. Must be around 50 years old or more by now.
You can probably count the number of comercial rtty stations still on the
air with one hand now.
Packet was hot for a few years, but I think it is almost gone except for a
few DX clusters and the aprs system.
I think there will be some hams on almost all modes that have been used.
73 de KU4PT