Michael Coslo wrote in
:


With all respect, Owen - a Ham can be just as ignorant if they
tested
in the days when we had to mine and smelt our own copper for antennas.

Mike, it is not about ignorance or how we were tested. We all start from
a base of no knowledge. The test doesn't make a ham, it is the enquiring
interest that makes us hams.

We are promoting ham radio to a different population, one that is more
excited by the box with lights and knobs, than an enquiring interest and
understanding of how it works.

Then add the economic factors that it is cheaper to buy an antenna
complete than to buy the ladder line it contains... and people have a
economic rationale for passing up the opportunity to do, to discover, to
learn.

The getting of knowledge often has monetary cost... the question
individuals need to ask is are they worth the investment in themselves.

The point about *our* new (VK) hams is that with just six hours
investment in the hobby, they aren't well equipped to see through
outragous claims of some antenna manufacturers. My perception is that
there are many more US sourced wire antennas of the magic kind appearing
on the bands here in VK since the introduction of our Foundation Licence.

Owen