Good idea. When I passed the Basic test (Canadian licence, same type
of questions and format as the entry-level US one - Technician, I
think...?), I walked out of the room with two things: A licence.
And no real practical idea on how to operate a radio station. I had
the theory, and legally what not to do, but how to set up a station
and initiate a QSO? On-air procedures and etiquette? Missing details
galore....

I bought a used 2M HT and the RAC Operating Guide, downloaded a
repeater list, listened on-air for a while, and figured out how to get
through the first few QSOs. From there, the kind folks on the air
guided me through the process, overlooking my frequent errors. Trial
by fire. No I=E/R stuff to help me through here!

Going on HF was worse - passed the morse test, then...learning curve
again (and still - 6 months later) - some of the VHF knowledge worked,
but new skills were required. And the equipment is more complex to
set up and use than my HT....had to build an antenna (a Big Antenna
!), and go from there. And a dummy load. And an SWR meter. Etcetera.
Still learning, but the folks on 40M have been great, and got me up to
speed pretty quickly.

Personally, I'd like to see practical operating knowledge become part
of the licence procedure. Not for the sake of testing , or making the
licence harder to get, or screening out the incompetent and
unmotivated - but to ensure that when you do get the licence, you
have an excellent idea what is required to actually use it. Like
driving a car, for example - if folks got their licence based entirely
on the written test, we might not all be reading this post right
now......

And the best possible resource for creating a syllabus like that - the
experienced amateur user community. (not me - I'm still learning!
Maybe later....)

Just my .02....

73, Leo

On Tue, 23 Sep 2003 23:24:06 GMT, "Dee D. Flint"
wrote:


"N2EY" wrote in message
...
I think Clint has already said he only sees a need for regs and safety
testing.


There's "the future".

73 de Jim, N2EY


Given the detail and extent of the rules, we could right a killer test on
rules and regs. Then require people to take and pass that before taking any
of the elements for specific licenses. i.e. They have to know the rules in
detail before being tested on the theory, technical knowledge, and operating
practices for the licenses classes.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE