Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class written
exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level licenses.
All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our Extra
written) and those who passed code got everything while those who didn't
were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two groups
into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed. While some
countries did have an entry license with a simpler written there were others
who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal classes and you were
not allowed to take the test if you had just studied on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would
certainly be good for the technical education industry but does that
make it a good thing for amateur radio.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along
those lines.
--
Tom Horne, KB3OPR/AG

"Thomas Horne" wrote in message
nk.net...
Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses. All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our
Extra written) and those who passed code got everything while those who
didn't were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two
groups into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed.
While some countries did have an entry license with a simpler written
there were others who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal
classes and you were not allowed to take the test if you had just studied
on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would certainly
be good for the technical education industry but does that make it a good
thing for amateur radio.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along those
lines.

The European approach with one "extra" license class and compulsory
classroom training is not such a bad idea for people who operate on HF. Can
you imagine that we are now allowing kb9rqz to operate a linear amp whose
plate voltage might be /= 3KV? Do you think kb9rqz is technically qualified
to open an AL80-B and change the 3-500Z tube? What if he forgets (or doesn't
know to) bleed the the DC bulk caps or even forgets to unplug it? When he
electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license exam to
blame. Perhaps linear amp usage should be restricted to extra class, or, we
should apply the above stated European approach.

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote:

When he electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license
exam to blame.

Message volume in this newsgroup would drop by 99%.

So, is that a 'bad thing'?

On Mar 5, 7:06 pm, "KH6HZ" wrote:
"Stefan Wolfe" wrote:
When he electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license
exam to blame.

Message volume in this newsgroup would drop by 99%.

So, is that a 'bad thing'?

Exactly why did you return to RRAP?

On Mar 7, 9:45 pm, wrote:
On Mar 5, 7:06 pm, "KH6HZ" wrote:

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote:
When he electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license
exam to blame.

Message volume in this newsgroup would drop by 99%.

So, is that a 'bad thing'?

Exactly why did you return to RRAP?

to help his buddy Robeson?

On Mar 7, 8:32?pm, "an_old_friend" wrote:
On Mar 7, 9:45 pm, wrote:

On Mar 5, 7:06 pm, "KH6HZ" wrote:

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote:
When he electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license
exam to blame.

Message volume in this newsgroup would drop by 99%.

So, is that a 'bad thing'?

Exactly why did you return to RRAP?

to help his buddy Robeson?

Sounds like a winner opinion, Mark! :-)

"Frauds of a feather stick together..."

73, AF6AY

wrote in message
oups.com...

73, AF6AY

Congratulations on getting your license, Len.

On Mar 8, 1:31 am, "
wrote:
On Mar 7, 8:32?pm, "an_old_friend" wrote:

On Mar 7, 9:45 pm, wrote:

On Mar 5, 7:06 pm, "KH6HZ" wrote:

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote:
When he electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license
exam to blame.

Message volume in this newsgroup would drop by 99%.

So, is that a 'bad thing'?

Exactly why did you return to RRAP?

to help his buddy Robeson?

Sounds like a winner opinion, Mark! :-)

"Frauds of a feather stick together..."

73, AF6AY

No tar required.

On Mar 5, 7:02 pm, "Stefan Wolfe" wrote:
"Thomas Horne" wrote in message

nk.net...





Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
groups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.

Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses. All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our
Extra written) and those who passed code got everything while those who
didn't were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two
groups into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed.
While some countries did have an entry license with a simpler written
there were others who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal
classes and you were not allowed to take the test if you had just studied
on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would certainly
be good for the technical education industry but does that make it a good
thing for amateur radio.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along those
lines.

The European approach with one "extra" license class and compulsory
classroom training is not such a bad idea for people who operate on HF. Can
you imagine that we are now allowing kb9rqz to operate a linear amp whose
plate voltage might be /= 3KV? Do you think kb9rqz is technically qualified
to open an AL80-B and change the 3-500Z tube? What if he forgets (or doesn't
know to) bleed the the DC bulk caps or even forgets to unplug it? When he
electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license exam to
blame. Perhaps linear amp usage should be restricted to extra class, or, we
should apply the above stated European approach.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Plenty of Morse Code Tested Generals, Advanced, and Extras have had
their health records closed by amplifiers and towers. And Mark has
had 1,500W privs from the Get-Go. So what are you whining about now?

"Thomas Horne" wrote in message
nk.net...
Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses. All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our
Extra written) and those who passed code got everything while those who
didn't were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two
groups into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed.
While some countries did have an entry license with a simpler written
there were others who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal
classes and you were not allowed to take the test if you had just studied
on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would certainly
be good for the technical education industry but does that make it a good
thing for amateur radio.


Not necessarily. I was trying to make the point that people should be
careful what they wish for. It may come with unintended consequences. I'm
perfectly satisfied with the self study approach and the voluntary classes
that some groups sponsor.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along those
lines.
--

Too bad you are not in my area. The club just coaxed me into doing one
again this year for the Extra. I don't know of any correspondence or on
line classes.

Since you will probably be going the self study route if/when you choose to
upgrade, I have the following recommendations:
1. DON'T RUSH. There's a lot of material so if you rush through it, you'll
have a hard time remembering it as it will be in your short term memory
rather than your long term memory.
2. Periodically review the parts you've already studied. It's a long haul
and by the time you get to the end, you might forget what you learned in the
beginning.
3. For studying and learning the material use something that explains it in
detail like the ARRL extra class license manual.
4. Review use something with the questions, answers and brief explanations
like the W5YI question and answer manual
5. Don't hesitate at buying the two separate books. It's worth it. The
ARRL book has too many words and the W5YI is too brief. Using the former
for the initial study and reference and using the latter for review worked
well for my students.
6. Find someone (perhaps through your local club) who would be willing to
answer questions and clarify hard parts as you go along.

Dee, N8UZE