Bob McConnell wrote:

I am curious about one thing. In 1977 I took the FCC test series for
the commercial phone license. I breezed through third class and passed
the second class elements, but missed first class by 6 points. If I
had turned around and taken the amateur tests at that time, without
the code requirement, what license would I have ended up with?

Bob McConnell
N2SPP


I received my Novice license in late 1974, and worked my way up the
amateur ranks to Advanced. I then moved over to the commercial exams,
and worked up to First Class. I may be wrong, but I don't think you
could get any class of amateur license, without a code test, back in
those days.

When I took my test in 1957, the FCC guy testing , told me the most
difficult test was the amateur advanced.

I took the General Ham and all commercial elements through 1st class and
RADAR endorsement. At that time, there was a time requirement between the
amateur licenses, ergo I was not eligible to take the advanced or extra.

Back then You both sent and received Morse, and a solid one minute out of
three was the passing mark. The test itself consisted of drawing schematics,
supplying missing components to a schematic, etc. Unlike today's NO CODE, No
ELECTRONICS exams.

The fact that they were tough to pass, marked passage into a select group
called HAMS. After waiting about five weeks I finally received that magical
piece of paper that allowed me to contact other members of the fraternity.

My first contact was on 3885 Kcs, checking into the Graveyard Net, finally
getting to talk to the mystical voices I had listened to on my Hammurland
HQ-129X.

Among the biggest thrills of my life.


"Attila The Hun" wrote in message
...
Bob McConnell wrote:

I am curious about one thing. In 1977 I took the FCC test series for
the commercial phone license. I breezed through third class and passed
the second class elements, but missed first class by 6 points. If I
had turned around and taken the amateur tests at that time, without
the code requirement, what license would I have ended up with?

Bob McConnell
N2SPP


I received my Novice license in late 1974, and worked my way up the
amateur ranks to Advanced. I then moved over to the commercial exams,
and worked up to First Class. I may be wrong, but I don't think you
could get any class of amateur license, without a code test, back in
those days.

W4JLE wrote:
When I took my test in 1957, the FCC guy testing , told me the most
difficult test was the amateur advanced.

Heh, heh, good thing I was drunk when I took mine. :-)
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp



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And in some European countries a decade or three back (I don't know if
it's still the same), the tests for a driver's license had questions
about mechanical theory (e.g., what is actually happening under the hood
when you put your foot on the clutch?) and practical tests (e.g.,
changing a wheel).

Perhaps today's US driver's licenses are worthless too, and perhaps the
people who get them aren't really DRIVERS. Perhaps the only "real
DRIVERS" today are the people who pass the tests for membership of the
Institute of Advanced Motorists (which existed in Britain when I was
growing up, maybe still does) or its equivalent in other countries.

Alan AB2OS


On 02/02/04 07:17 pm W4JLE put fingers to keyboard and launched the
following message into cyberspace:

When I took my test in 1957, the FCC guy testing , told me the most
difficult test was the amateur advanced.

I took the General Ham and all commercial elements through 1st class and
RADAR endorsement. At that time, there was a time requirement between the
amateur licenses, ergo I was not eligible to take the advanced or extra.

Back then You both sent and received Morse, and a solid one minute out of
three was the passing mark. The test itself consisted of drawing schematics,
supplying missing components to a schematic, etc. Unlike today's NO CODE, No
ELECTRONICS exams.

The fact that they were tough to pass, marked passage into a select group
called HAMS. After waiting about five weeks I finally received that magical
piece of paper that allowed me to contact other members of the fraternity.

You miss the point completely, there was pride in becoming a ham, simply
because it was difficult. Once obtained, one behaved as a person worthy of
being called a ham.

The worst behavior I remember back then was W2OY who used to call "CQ No
kids, no lids, no drugstore cowboys..." Unlike the profanity of the bands
today.

With the new age thinking , that finds achievement unfair to those that have
not achieved, we have lowered the bar so those who were incapable of
competing can be included as well.

First it was "why should I learn the code it is only an obstacle to my
desires", the point is all endevors in life have a price of admission, if
your not willing to pay, you don't get in the show. At least thats the way
it used to be, today if I whine enough about fairness someone will give it
to me.

Where does it end? I want to be a brain surgeon, I just don't want to spend
time learning all that medical stuff, it's just not FAIR... Would you want
me as your doctor?

"Minnie Bannister" wrote in message
...
And in some European countries a decade or three back (I don't know if
it's still the same), the tests for a driver's license had questions
about mechanical theory (e.g., what is actually happening under the hood

Hello Alan and group,

"Minnie Bannister" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
...
And in some European countries a decade or three back (I don't know if
it's still the same), the tests for a driver's license had questions
about mechanical theory (e.g., what is actually happening under the hood
when you put your foot on the clutch?)

This is still going this way. You need to have 15 hours theoretical
education and 20 hours driving education under supervision of a driving
instructor. Costs you about 1000.- Euros, about 1250 US $. You have to do it
with a driving school to securely pass the exam. But the DL then is valid
livelong.

The only thing they changed is the oral test. They took away most of it and
changed it to a standardized computer test.

and practical tests (e.g. changing a wheel).

They discontinued this, but they teach you how to change a wheel and how to
mount snowchains whilst in the practice-hours with your driving instructor.

Perhaps today's US driver's licenses are worthless too, and perhaps the
people who get them aren't really DRIVERS.

I know the difference, I hold a valid California DL for cars, trucks and
motorbikes

Perhaps the only "real
DRIVERS" today are the people who pass the tests for membership of the
Institute of Advanced Motorists (which existed in Britain when I was
growing up, maybe still does) or its equivalent in other countries.

Alan AB2OS


This was kind of out of topic. Concerning the amateur license, the test were
oral and written, the full nine miles through all the technical and
operational questions, for both the CEPT 2 and CEPT 1 licenses. The only
difference in testing for HF privileges was the CW test, where you had to
send and receive. At my time in the late 80's 13wpm (60 signs per minute),
and lateley they dropped to 25 signs per minute, which equals 5 wpm. The
test is still held at the Authorities QTH in the state capitals. After the
recent workaround of the requirements after the WRC 2003 in Geneva, You are
not requested to make the CW test. But you can do it voluntary after
seperate application, and as long as the authority will be able to supply CW
capable Examiners

Best regards and 73
de OE8SOQ
Helmut

When I took my no code tech license in 1993 I didn't have to do what you did
in 1957.

But I did spend years in college attaining a degree in Electronic Technology
, learned all about tubes and electron theory, electronics related math,
drew schematics, learned about solid state and early digital IC's, op amps,
did work study doing bench work at a BSR factory, learned how to repair
motracs and radar units in a professors garage shop (he was a ham and the
local service guy for the radios the cops used). Moved into the working
world in the late 70's , Trained on teletype repair at the Skokie, Il.
plant., Worked as an engineering lab tech programming EPROMs and ROM for
early electronic control units writing code onto paper tape, used sniffers
on networks, Made engineering changes to prototype circuit boards, Worked on
repair of mainframe water cooled computers with scopes, meters, and all
kinds of magic tools and test equipment, learned personal computers and
telecommunications networks, specialized in bus sized high speed laser
printers (3800) and 3745 telecommunications boxes, learned how write
mainframe code, learned how to write PC code, can fix computers in my sleep.
Have a bunch of WORKING self repaired reel to reel tape decks and radios in
my garage collection. Fix my own cars. Maintain my own home.

I'm a no code tech.

It doesn't mean I'm a button pusher. Don't treat us like dirt.

Steve
N2UBP



-- When I took my test in 1957, the FCC guy testing , told me the most
difficult test was the amateur advanced.

Back then You both sent and received Morse, and a solid one minute out of
three was the passing mark. The test itself consisted of drawing
schematics,
supplying missing components to a schematic, etc. Unlike today's NO CODE,
No
ELECTRONICS exams.

There you go, waving a 2 inch swantz around the big boys and crying
because we are not impressed.

Never said you were dirt, I did say your getting a free ride as the result
of those unable to compete, whining long and hard.

"Steve Stone" wrote in message
...

When I took my no code tech license in 1993 I didn't have to do what you
did
in 1957.

But I did spend years in college attaining a degree in Electronic
Technology
, learned all about tubes and electron theory, electronics related math,
drew schematics, learned about solid state and early digital IC's, op
amps,
did work study doing bench work at a BSR factory, learned how to repair
motracs and radar units in a professors garage shop (he was a ham and the
local service guy for the radios the cops used). Moved into the working
world in the late 70's , Trained on teletype repair at the Skokie, Il.
plant., Worked as an engineering lab tech programming EPROMs and ROM for
early electronic control units writing code onto paper tape, used sniffers
on networks, Made engineering changes to prototype circuit boards, Worked
on
I'm a no code tech.

MORE YA DA Da Da Snipped...

It doesn't mean I'm a button pusher. Don't treat us like dirt.

Steve
N2UBP



-- When I took my test in 1957, the FCC guy testing , told me the most
difficult test was the amateur advanced.

Back then You both sent and received Morse, and a solid one minute out
of
three was the passing mark. The test itself consisted of drawing
schematics,
supplying missing components to a schematic, etc. Unlike today's NO
CODE,
No
ELECTRONICS exams.

As a younger Ham (27), who could have gone no-code, I say keep the code.
It's a right of passage, plus the ability to send/receive means multipliers
on contest weekends... hi hi.

I know a no-code who can't ground an antenna.

I know a no-code who has built several homebrew rigs that all work
marvellously.

The lack of code in liscensing has NOTHING to do with actual mechanical
ability, it has to do with REALLY wanting to be a part of a fraternity that
can and does do a lot of good not only for the local communtiy, but the
international one as well.

While I will agree that the hobby of amateur radio has a shrinking
population (due largely in part to what sent you this message... the
internet) and needs some revitalization, lessening the requirements is not
the way to do it. Why not promote ARES or RACES. Some of the most fun I've
ever had was volunteering in St. Charles county Missouri back in 1993 when
2/3 of the county was under water. I got to see a lot of things and go a
lot of places that the average "civilian" wouldn't be allowed to go. THAT'S
NEAT!

At the same time, younger members of the community should not be shunned as
me and my friends were by certain hams just because of our age. We used to
get run off repeaters at 3 am on Friday nights because we were "keeping
people up." TURN OFF YOUR RIG WHEN YOU'RE ASLEEP!!! We were told it was
because of our age... "no 16 yr. old could possibly have a clue." THAT'S
NOT NEAT! To this day, there are local hams who won't talk to me when I
call "monitoring" on 2 meters just because of who I am... a grudge based on
age held for 11 years... ???

At the same time, I"ve made some of my best friends by trolling VHF/UHF
(even though HF is my true love). My first directional 10m antenna was
given to me by a guy who was impressed that I had a confirmed QSO from
Kwajellain Atoll. No I break pile-ups on a regular basis. Thanks Scott.

Anyway... that's my 2 cents...

73's
KB0JNF (I'm PROUD of my novice callsign)
James Brennan

PS what is echolink? That takes all the fun out of a contact...

James Brennan wrote:
As a younger Ham (27), who could have gone no-code, I say keep the code.
It's a right of passage, plus the ability to send/receive means multipliers
on contest weekends... hi hi.


PS what is echolink? That takes all the fun out of a contact...



What difference does it make if a person who pays taxes to support an
organization(FCC), doesnt know a tube from a transistor. Why shouldnt
they have equal access to the privilages. Most buy an appliance and
start putting it to use. You dont need a license to build. There is so
much garbage on the air now it wouldnt matter how clean the signal was.
Things mutate with time. I have experienced 49 years of ham radio and
99 percent of what i did didnt require a license. Pressing the mic
button did, plus being considerate, respectful, and helpful after
pressing the button.

W1HRM