"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message
ink.net...
"Dee D. Flint" wrote:

Those who pushed for the Tech no code license loudly
and repeatedly claimed that it would lead to a major
influx of technically bright hams that would lead to
significant technical advances in ham radio since it was
supposedly code keeping them out. Well that influx of
technical types didn't happen. (snip)


It didn't? I have a Tech license and consider myself fairly well
informed
when it comes to technology. I don't know how bright I am, or if my
involvement will ever lead to "significant technical advances in ham
radio,"
but at least I'm here. Am I the only one? I'd surely hate to shoulder this
burdon alone.

Aren't you being a little unrealistic, Dee? Did you really expect this
group to offer up "significant technical advances" in a mature radio
environment? For that matter, did you really expect this one group to
offer
anything more than the other license holders today? Radio is in the
evolution stage at this point, not the revolution stage. Changes will
come,
but they're certainly not likely to be earth shattering changes.



I personally do not have such an expectation nor is it a comment on any
individual Technician licensee. Most of the Techs I know are indeed quite
bright and well informed on technology. I was merely pointing out why some
people seem to put so much pressure on Technicians, i.e. the proponents of
the change "sold it" by using the "big influx of technologically oriented
new hams and signficant technical advances" as one of the key elements of
their argument. That argument was invalid then and is equally invalid now.

In my opinion, almost every argument posed on both sides (for or against
code testing) has major flaws and is invalid.

Personally I consider basic code one of the fundamentals of radio even if
one chooses not to use it after learning it. As a basic, I believe it
should be tested. That is the position I will continue to support. And I
will continue to promote code use whether the code testing is dropped or
not.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE