In article ,
says...

For those of you who have the necessary technical
motivation to understand how things work, have become
interested in Ham Radio but are confused by the
attitudes and activities of those who are really no
more than CBers-Masquerading-As-Radio-Hams,
I append a short article explaining the difference.....

snip destructive propaganda

For someone who claims such a broad base of knowledge, your
viewpoint is pretty short-sighted.

The Amateur Radio SERVICE has something to offer EVERYone, and
those licensed under its regulations each have the potential to
contribute in ways unique to the individual licensee. Recognizing that
no two people will ever contribute in the same way, and that some will
never contribute more than their presence on the airwaves, is simply
part of the hobby.

There is truth to some of what you're saying, in terms of the
service producing many fine engineers and engineering techs, and of it
being home to those who love to tinker (I know, because that's a big
reason why I got into it). However, it is not required that all of
amateur radio's participants be fully qualified to "design, build, and
operate," as you state.

I suggest you take a good hard look at this link:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/reg...s/news/part97/

Pay particular attention to paragraphs a, c, and e.

Amateur radio's real enemy is not those who don't know an
oscilloscope probe from a soldering pencil. No, the real danger to
amateur radio comes from those, like you, who display nothing but
intolerance to newcomers who are interested in the hobby, but who may
never have picked up a multimeter in their lives.

So: Instead of responding to newcomers with elitism and arrogance,
try responding as an "Elmer." Inform them about the purposes behind the
service, and explain about the responsibilities that a license carries.
Also explain that the Amateur Radio service, like any other hobby, is a
mirror: The 'reward' one gets out is directly proportional to what one
puts into it.

Remember: People learn by example.

--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR,
kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped
with surreal ports?"