In article ilgate.org, "Hans
K0HB" writes:

"N2EY" wrote


Then answer this question: Why should people who are not interested in
building or fixing their radios have to learn all that theory stuff
for the written tests? Why are all hams tested on all sorts of stuff
they are not interested in?

Because the terms of their license make them responsible for the quality
of their radiated signal(s).

Maybe. But a ham is not required to actually know how his/her equipment works,
nor to be able to work on it. Just for the result.

I'm not required to know how my cars work, just how to use them safely. I am
"responsible", however, to see that they meet all applicable DMV requirements,
including pollution and safety equipment. I can do the work myself or have it
done by others. The same is true for ham equipment.

The FCC thinks that Technicians are adequately tested on that, for all
authorized modes and technologies. There are no modes or technologies
authorized for amateur HF/MF that are not also authorized for amateur VHF/UHF.
So there is no absolute need for any of the General or Extra written tests
*except* perhaps a few regulatory and propagation questions.

Without demonstrating some familiarity with the basic underlying
science, it would be irresponsible of the regulators to allow an
applicant to establish a radio transmitting station on the public
airways.

See above about Technicians.

And here's another point: There's almost nothing in the tests about some
technologies that hams are allowed to use. For example, vacuum tubes - not very
much in the tests about them! Yet FCC *trusts* hams who want to use vacuum tube
technology to learn what they need to know about it and operate their equipment
responsibly. So why all the tests?

Familiarize yourself with the concept "tragedy of the
commons".

You got a handy reference?

73 de Jim, N2EY