In article , Mike Coslo writes:
N2EY wrote:
In article ,
(Steve Robeson, K4CAP) writes:
Once the official FCC changes are made, by whatever method, I wonder
how long it will take the unlicensed to become licensed...Now that
there's NO excuse remaining?
There's always an excuse, Steve.
Here are some predictions for ya:
The dropping of the code test will not be accompanied by a significant
change
in the written exams.
Too bad. I'd like to see the exam restructured
The writtens WERE restructured back in 2000. The number of tests and the total
number of questions were reduced.
There were all sorts of suggestions in the comments submitted about how to
improve the writtens, but the FCC ignored all of them and reduced the written
testing as well as the code testing.
The dropping of the code test will not be accompanied by a significant,
sustained increase in growth rate of the ARS. There may be a short term
surge, and lots of upgrades, but total numbers will not skyrocket.
Agreed.
Watch the thread "ARS License Numbers"...
The dropping of the code test will not be accompanied by a significant
change
in the modes and technologies used by hams. There will not be a
technorevolution, nor big increases in experimentation or homebrewing. Just
more of the same of what has been going on.
Agreed. I'd like to hear just what sort of technorevolution some people
were expecting.
You shoulda been here a couple years ago when certain folks were telling us
what wonderful technologies we'd have it weren't for the code test. One of the
most vociferous is now Executive Director of NCI. He'd lecture us on how
primitive Morse Code and other modes hams use are, compared to what was
possible.
A year after the 2000 restructuring, he went from Tech Plus to Extra and went
on HF SSB, working DX with a manufactured transceiver. Last I heard he had over
70 countries. Surreal.
Do people who do not have the time to take the morse code test have the
time to invent new modes? Do they have time to invent digital voice
modes that take up bandwidth than ssb?
Ask 'em.
Let's see what happens in the UK. RSGB and RA have been pushing to drop
the code test for a long time. Maybe they won't be disappointed.
Just wondering.
Don't hold yer breath. The usual bureaucratic delay will slow things down
here in the USA. And remember, those who get the licenses after the change
will be
raw, inexperienced newcomers, who will need our help and guidance as they
are welcomed into the ARS.
And there you have one of the more interesting dilemmas to the ARS.
Is a brand new Extra, who has never been on HF, even accept
Elmering?
Some will, some won't. I'll do what I've always done - gladly help anybody who
asks.
Or will they insist that the conventions that have been developed over
the years are not applicable to them.
Some will, some won't. Those who won't will learn the hard way what works and
what doesn't.
This is not as far-fetched as it may seem. I tried to help out a new
Extra in a contest once. I knew he did not have any HF experience at
all, yet he wanted a bare minimum of help. After showing him where the
PTT was, and how to change bands, I started to explain the structure of
a contest QSO. He interrupted me after the first sentence with a "not to
be rude, but I'll take over now". I came back the next morning and saw
the results of his work. Six QSO's! He was woring at the rate of 1 QSO
per hour under *good* band conditions!
Been there, done that.
In fact I recall a certain FD a few years ago. Another rrap regular whom you
may know was working 20 CW, making about 40 QSOs/hr with a terrible antenna. He
was pressured into shutting down so that some folks could use 20 phone. Two
hours later, they had put maybe 4 contacts in the log. They complained that the
band was dead - so he sat down and proceeded to put a couple dozen in the log
on the "dead" band.
I recall another FD when somebody came over to the CW tent 3-4 hours into the
contest and wanted to know how I was doing. I said "just OK - only about 150 so
far". Guy cussed me out and called me a liar. So I showed him the log sheets.
bwaahaahaa
Even in my own experience, I know that I had my extra before I should
have. I went from General to Extra in a little over 6 months.
It ain't when ya get the license, it's what ya do with it.
I would propose that there be at least a year wait before upgrading to
Extra. Ya just can't gain enough operating knowledge in less time.
Not gonna happen.
73 de Jim, N2EY