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"Kim W5TIT" wrote:
Oh man.... Well, I've thought about how I would "handle" the robbery of my truck--it literally took me a lifetime of dreaming to get one; and I really never thought I would be able to do it. BUT, if it was stolen I would hope it was totally destroyed beyond being able to be returned and then I would hope that the extra coverage I am carrying on it would hook me back up. (snip) Mine has full coverage also, but waiting weeks or longer to get any real response from the insurance company would be a nightmare. Anyway, one pleasent note is that I've found the two guys I saw last night - they're staying right here in this building. This place rents both weekly and monthly suites. They're staying in one of the weekly suites, but had no business at this end of the parking lot (especially that late at night). The vehicles at this end of the parking lot either belong to the company, building staff, or those staying in the two executive suites (I stay in one). Anyway, I reported all this to the police (they have the license plate number now). They're going to keep an eye on these two to see if they have anything to do with the string of vehicles thefts around here over the last few months. Dwight Stewart (W5NET) http://www.qsl.net/w5net/ |
Clint wrote:
Don't forget that 300 million or so would benefit if all the requirements were dropped. - Mike KB3EIA - oh, are they dropping the written test to? are they just going to give away the license to all hams that pay the fee? or are they, in fact, still requireing a knowledge test? ah, yes. I'm sure they are. Very observent, they *are* requireing a knowledge test. But you know they really DON'T have to. If you thing they have to, tell me the reasons why. - Mike - |
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message ... Clint wrote: Don't forget that 300 million or so would benefit if all the requirements were dropped. - Mike KB3EIA - oh, are they dropping the written test to? are they just going to give away the license to all hams that pay the fee? or are they, in fact, still requireing a knowledge test? ah, yes. I'm sure they are. Very observent, they *are* requireing a knowledge test. But you know they really DON'T have to. If you thing they have to, tell me the reasons why. - Mike - To at least be reasonably sure that the applicant knows where he can put what kind of a signal. It is also handy in a enforcement situation. When some fool runs 10kw on top of a broadcast station the FCC has grounds to nail his butt. See how simple that is? Dan/W4NTI |
Dan/W4NTI wrote:
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message ... Clint wrote: Don't forget that 300 million or so would benefit if all the requirements were dropped. - Mike KB3EIA - oh, are they dropping the written test to? are they just going to give away the license to all hams that pay the fee? or are they, in fact, still requireing a knowledge test? ah, yes. I'm sure they are. Very observent, they *are* requireing a knowledge test. But you know they really DON'T have to. If you thing they have to, tell me the reasons why. - Mike - To at least be reasonably sure that the applicant knows where he can put what kind of a signal. It is also handy in a enforcement situation. When some fool runs 10kw on top of a broadcast station the FCC has grounds to nail his butt. See how simple that is? Oh, personally I agree that there should be a written test, and there shoud be a Morse code test. What gets me worked up is those who think that removing the Morse code part of the testing is not a reduction in the amount of knowedge needed for the license. Maybe its newspeak. Less is more! All the learning is ultimately what determines the state of amateur radio. While not an indicator of the individual ham, in the aggregate a better educated ARS is a good thing in my book. - Mike KB3EIA - |
These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS
licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 Total - 674,792 As of September 30, 2003: Novice - 33,034 (decrease of 16,295) Technician - 257,250 (increase of 51,856) Technician Plus - 65,042 (decrease of 63,818) General - 141,340 (increase of 28,663) Advanced - 82,724 (decrease of 17,058) Extra - 104,605 (increase of 25,855) Total - 683,995 (increase of 9,203) 73 de Jim, N2EY |
N2EY wrote:
These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: snip As of September 30, 2003: Novice - 33,034 (decrease of 16,295) snip This may be hard to quantify, Jim, but is there any data or even educated guessing about how many Novices are still actually active? - Mike KB3EIA - |
In article , Mike Coslo writes:
N2EY wrote: These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: snip As of September 30, 2003: Novice - 33,034 (decrease of 16,295) snip This may be hard to quantify, Jim, but is there any data or even educated guessing about how many Novices are still actually active? Not that I know of, Mike. Let's look at how the three license classes that are closed to new entries have declined in numbers: Novice is now ~67% of where it was May 14, 2000 Advanced is now ~83% of where it was May 14, 2000 Tech Plus is now ~50% of where it was May 14, 2000 Of course the Tech Plus will decline the fastest because all Tech Pluses are being renewed as Techs. -- But if you want some interesting numbers, note that we are now down below 684,000, after peaking around 687,000. Extra and General continue to grow, and Advanced is declining slowly. What gives? One clue is to look at the AH0A site http://www.ah0a.org and look at the "new licenses" numbers. For some reason, the number of new Technicians has dropped significantly in the past 2-3 months. The number of new Generals and Extras continues at the same rate as before, so it's not due to an FCC paper backup or seasonal variation. So why the sudden dropoff in new Techs? One definite possibility is the new Technician Q&A pool, which was introduced on July 15th. The new pool has with 511 questions, while the old one had only 384 questions. Prior to the new pool, the average number of new Techs was about 1700 a month. Since then, it has dropped to less than 1000 per month. Maybe this is just a temporary thing - or maybe it isn't. The code test cannot be blamed for the drop because it's not a part of the Tech license requirements. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
N2EY wrote:
In article , Mike Coslo writes: N2EY wrote: These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: snip As of September 30, 2003: Novice - 33,034 (decrease of 16,295) snip This may be hard to quantify, Jim, but is there any data or even educated guessing about how many Novices are still actually active? Not that I know of, Mike. Let's look at how the three license classes that are closed to new entries have declined in numbers: Novice is now ~67% of where it was May 14, 2000 Advanced is now ~83% of where it was May 14, 2000 Tech Plus is now ~50% of where it was May 14, 2000 Of course the Tech Plus will decline the fastest because all Tech Pluses are being renewed as Techs. -- But if you want some interesting numbers, note that we are now down below 684,000, after peaking around 687,000. Extra and General continue to grow, and Advanced is declining slowly. What gives? One clue is to look at the AH0A site http://www.ah0a.org and look at the "new licenses" numbers. For some reason, the number of new Technicians has dropped significantly in the past 2-3 months. The number of new Generals and Extras continues at the same rate as before, so it's not due to an FCC paper backup or seasonal variation. So why the sudden dropoff in new Techs? One definite possibility is the new Technician Q&A pool, which was introduced on July 15th. The new pool has with 511 questions, while the old one had only 384 questions. Coupled with many prospective technicians possibly holding out until they might not have to take a Morse code test? Prior to the new pool, the average number of new Techs was about 1700 a month. Since then, it has dropped to less than 1000 per month. Maybe this is just a temporary thing - or maybe it isn't. The code test cannot be blamed for the drop because it's not a part of the Tech license requirements. Oh, I'll bet some try to blame it on that! 8^) |
This may be hard to quantify, Jim, but is there any data or even educated guessing about how many Novices are still actually active? One could listen around the various novice subbands and copy down callsigns, and then go to qrz.com and look them up to get an idea of the precentage of novices vs other licenses active. Another question would be how soon a new novice who gets into it upgrades vs novices that never upgraded. Since no new novice licenses have been issued in the last few years, it seems likely that anyone still a novice likely lost interest in ham radio and thus inactive. But if many renewals of novice licenses are happening, then that's not a valid reasoning..... |
N2EY wrote:
These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: You mean April 14th, yes? I upgraded from tech plus to "extra lite" on April 15th, 2000. Otherwise I'd be counted as an old extra below.... Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 one of these is me! Total - 674,792 |
Mike Coslo, wrote in :
This may be hard to quantify, Jim, but is there any data or even educated guessing about how many Novices are still actually active? - Mike KB3EIA - Not hard to quantify at all. Any ham that only knows CW to 5 WPM is a novice. New hams these days are all Novices. So the number of Novices on the bands are actually increasing. Ten-Four Good buddy? |
"N2EY" wrote in message ... In article , Mike Coslo writes: N2EY wrote: These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: snip As of September 30, 2003: Novice - 33,034 (decrease of 16,295) snip This may be hard to quantify, Jim, but is there any data or even educated guessing about how many Novices are still actually active? Not that I know of, Mike. Let's look at how the three license classes that are closed to new entries have declined in numbers: Novice is now ~67% of where it was May 14, 2000 Advanced is now ~83% of where it was May 14, 2000 Tech Plus is now ~50% of where it was May 14, 2000 Of course the Tech Plus will decline the fastest because all Tech Pluses are being renewed as Techs. Or, alternatively, they are upgrading to General and Extra since they already have 5 wpm code credit. There's been a lot of that. (As an "old" techplus with full general written credit and 5 wpm credit, I simply had to take the extra written to upgrade all the way. I'm sure there were lots of similarly situated folks who also upgraded, either as a "paper upgrade", with no test, to general, of as I did by taking the extra written.) Carl - wk3c |
There's been a lot of that.
(As an "old" techplus with full general written credit and 5 wpm credit, I simply had to take the extra written to upgrade all the way. I'm sure there were lots of similarly situated folks who also upgraded, either as a "paper upgrade", with no test, to general, of as I did by taking the extra written.) Carl - wk3c Yea and it took you over a year to pass it, I guess it wasnt just the Code Test that kept you back. |
Blow Job wrote:
Nice troll handle. Not hard to quantify at all. Any ham that only knows CW to 5 WPM is a novice. New hams these days are all Novices. So the number of Novices on the bands are actually increasing. Ten-Four Good buddy? Well, how many CBers know 5WPM? Well, I have a "novice-extra" license. And if I admit that I have since forgotten my code, would that make me a CB-extra? :-) |
N2EY wrote:
Suppose the new Q&A pool really is the cause of this dropoff. Will we see folks arguing that the writtens are stifling growth, turning people away, etc.? Will we see a movement to reduce (again) the level of written testing, the number of licenses, etc.? I am inclined to say there will be a push to reduce requirements if that happens. At the moment, every issue seems to gravitate towards Morse CW requirement. This question needs revisited after the requirement is dropped, if it is dropped. And my opinion is no, we shouldn't reduce the requirements. - Mike KB3EIA - |
|
Carl got a post-restructuring Extra
After a Year of failing it. Bruce got a post-restructuring Extra And $250.00 from from some Dumb Cbers Bruce makes fun of Carl's amateur license. Because Carls License isnt worth the pasper its printed on. Carl does not distinguish between "real hams" and others. ThaTs because Karl doesnt know the difference Bruce says a sizable percentage of amateurs are not "real hams". Just the New ones Carl is actively trying to defeat the threat of BPL. Thats a Joke Bruce doesn't give a damn about BPL. THATS TRUE |
(sarcasm mode on)
Since the entire public is completely aware of amateur radio, therefore they all are waiting for the code test to drop, then we should have huge growth eh??? (sarcasm mode off) Ryan KC8PMX If/when the code test disappears, what will be the scapegoat for low growth? 73 de Jim, N2EY |
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message t... N2EY wrote: Suppose the new Q&A pool really is the cause of this dropoff. Will we see folks arguing that the writtens are stifling growth, turning people away, etc.? Will we see a movement to reduce (again) the level of written testing, the number of licenses, etc.? I am inclined to say there will be a push to reduce requirements if that happens. At the moment, every issue seems to gravitate towards Morse CW requirement. This question needs revisited after the requirement is dropped, if it is dropped. And my opinion is no, we shouldn't reduce the requirements. - Mike KB3EIA - While I obviously support eliminating the Morse test, I do NOT support ANY lowering of the requirements on the written tests. (Felt I needed to state that again ...) The written tests can be made "better" (that does not necessarily mean "more difficult") by adjusting the question pools to reflect modern technology, RF/electrical safety, rules/regs, and operating practices. And, while there is a minimum ratio of questions in the pool to questions on the tests, there is no maximum number of questions that can be in the pool ... those who think (and I disagree) that the question pools are simply "memorized" can push the NCVECs to increase the number and diversity of questions in the pools. Carl - wk3c |
"WA8ULX" wrote in message ... Carl got a post-restructuring Extra After a Year of failing it. BZZZZZZZZT ... wrong answer ... took it EXACTLY ONCE. Not that I feel I owe Bruce (or anyone else, actually) an explaination, but just to set the record straight about how full of BS Bruce is ... I kept being busy with work, work travel, an elderly mother in poor health and any number of other "excuses" and didn't get around to going to a VE session until I did ... so what? I finally decided to set the goal of going and upgrading by a certain date. I went to a VE session on a Friday evening, run by one of the local ham clubs. The session never happened because the VE who kept the paperwork for the team had accidentally tossed all of the forms while "cleaning out" the file box where he kept the stuff. I came home, got on the internet, and found a session the next day (Sat morning, early) about 1-1/2 hour's drive from home, got up early, drove down, took the test (1st one finished), and walked out an Extra ... no sweat, no big deal. Bruce got a post-restructuring Extra And $250.00 from from some Dumb Cbers Bruce makes fun of Carl's amateur license. Because Carls License isnt worth the pasper its printed on. Maybe Bruce's license is printed on "pasper" ... mine is printed on paper (and laminated to protect it). Carl does not distinguish between "real hams" and others. ThaTs because Karl doesnt know the difference One wonders how long Bruce has been licensed and active? (I'm a member of QCWA ...) Bruce says a sizable percentage of amateurs are not "real hams". Just the New ones I'm not a new one ... and Bruce is, as normal for him, full of you-know-what. Carl is actively trying to defeat the threat of BPL. Thats a Joke No, it's a very serious matter. If Bruce had a clue he'd know that. Bruce doesn't give a damn about BPL. THATS TRUE That statement alone pretty well should give folks a good idea of how much credence to give to Bruce's opinions. Carl - wk3c |
The written tests can be made "better" (that does not necessarily
mean "more difficult") Of course not, you wouldnt want anyone to put out any effort. |
BZZZZZZZZT ... wrong answer ... took it EXACTLY ONCE.
Which you cannot prove, similar to the Millons of NCI Members The session never happened because the VE who kept the paperwork for the team had accidentally tossed all of the forms while "cleaning out" the file box where he kept the stuff. Likely EXCUSE . mine is printed on paper (and laminated to protect it). You should try and protect it, after all these years of Lame Excusses why you couldnt have one. One wonders how long Bruce has been licensed and active? (I'm a member of QCWA ...) Oh I dont know, I guess about 1966 I'm not a new one ... and Bruce is, as normal for him, full of you-know-what. And Karl is still a KOOK who was to Lazy or to Dumb to ever get a GENERAL or Above, untill the FCC dropped the standards for him, so he would be able to get one. No, it's a very serious matter. If Bruce had a clue he'd know that. Bruce has a CLUE and could care LESS. That statement alone pretty well should give folks a good idea of how much credence to give to Bruce's opinions. Carl - wk3c Hows the BLACK HELICOPTERS and those mystery GUNS that appear on your MONITOR. You really are a KOOK. |
In article , "Carl R. Stevenson"
writes: "WA8ULX" wrote in message ... Carl got a post-restructuring Extra After a Year of failing it. BZZZZZZZZT ... wrong answer ... took it EXACTLY ONCE. Yeah, me too. 1970. Bruce was nowhere to be found.... Not that I feel I owe Bruce (or anyone else, actually) an explaination, but just to set the record straight about how full of BS Bruce is ... Do you really think anyone is in the dark about that? Carl does not distinguish between "real hams" and others. ThaTs because Karl doesnt know the difference One wonders how long Bruce has been licensed and active? (I'm a member of QCWA ...) In four years I can join the OOTC..... Hmmm...I'm 49, been a ham since age 13, that means I've been licensed about 73% of my entire life. Bruce is 305, which means he's only been licensed 12%... Bruce says a sizable percentage of amateurs are not "real hams". Just the New ones I'm not a new one ... and Bruce is, as normal for him, full of you-know-what. Is that not self-evident? Carl is actively trying to defeat the threat of BPL. Thats a Joke No, it's a very serious matter. If Bruce had a clue he'd know that. Bruce doesn't give a damn about BPL. THATS TRUE That statement alone pretty well should give folks a good idea of how much credence to give to Bruce's opinions. My point exactly. Licenses and tests won't mean much if we can't work anybody through the noise. -- BPL is a bad idea in so many ways. For example, I do *not* want to be around when (not if) one of those bypass couplers decides to fail and puts 13.2 kV into somebody's service entrance. And after reading a "white paper" on 801.15be (I think that's the designation - you are probably familiar with it, Carl, it uses multiple carriers in the 3-7 GHz range) it mystifoes me why anyone would think 78 MHz of bandwidth is going to compete with what systems capable of six times that can do - without wires. Then there's the monopoly issue, and the favoritism issue (cable companies don't get a bye on Part 15....telcos don't get a bye on Part 15....Wi-Fi doesn't get a bye on Part 15...) and the simple fact that electric utilities have a hard enough time keeping the lights on and their equipment from crudding up the ether with plain old corona noise. Plus the fact that almost every other country that has tried BPL has given up trying to make it work. Japan has out-and-out banned it. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
"WA8ULX" wrote: Of course not, you wouldnt want anyone to put out any effort. What does it matter, Bruce? According to you, you're such a smart little human being, the tests were a breeze - no effort, no study, required. Yet, at the same, you criticize others for not putting out enough effort. Make up your mind. Do you want effort? If so, you need to go back and take those tests again (this time putting in the effort to actually learn something about what you've read). If you don't want effort, stop complaining about others not wanting it either. Dwight Stewart (W5NET) http://www.qsl.net/w5net/ |
My point exactly.
Licenses and tests won't mean much if we can't work anybody through the noise. My point also, so since all were concerned about is giving the licenses away, then screw them, let them compete with BPL.. |
What does it matter, Bruce? According to you, you're such a smart little
human being, the tests were a breeze - no effort, no study, required. Thats the point, theres none required now. If so, you need to go back and take those tests again (this time putting in the effort to actually learn something about what you've read). The difference between me and you, and the other Knuckle Draggers is, I knew the Info. I didnt have to go practicee a bunch of memory test so I could take it. As a matter of fact, when I took the test, I hadnt even seen the Question Pool, let alone the answers. And I still scored 100% If you don't want effort, stop complaining about others not wanting it either. Dwight Stewart (W5NET) So now you admit it, you want a No Effort Test, and most likely a No Knowlege Test. |
Dick Carroll wrote:
This proves that it's a snow job by BPL promoters who know that the people they must convince almost totally lack knowledge of the techcial facts. And that they will be able to ignore their own technical advisors. For some reason, this reminds me of all those people who have me in their address books, and yet have allowed their computers to be infected by the Swen virus. Now I am being e-bombed for it. So I doubt that most people would even worry that they could get their systems fried. They just don't know any better. - Mike KB3EIA - |
Ryan, KC8PMX wrote:
(sarcasm mode on) Since the entire public is completely aware of amateur radio, therefore they all are waiting for the code test to drop, then we should have huge growth eh??? (sarcasm mode off) Is the reason for low growth that people don't know about the ARS? I'd postulate that anyone that has any interest will pretty quickly find out about us. have internet access, you'll find us. Read a newspaper, and there are several articles a year about the ARS. I'd also bet that there really aren't that many people who are really that interested in radio. That's okay. I don't pick my hobbies on their popularity. I pick them because I like to do them. - mike KB3EIA - |
In article , Mike Coslo writes:
Ryan, KC8PMX wrote: (sarcasm mode on) Since the entire public is completely aware of amateur radio, therefore they all are waiting for the code test to drop, then we should have huge growth eh??? (sarcasm mode off) Is the reason for low growth that people don't know about the ARS? I'd say it's #1. I'd postulate that anyone that has any interest will pretty quickly find out about us. have internet access, you'll find us. Read a newspaper, and there are several articles a year about the ARS. Several articles a year out of how many thousand? Folks hafta know where to look. Remember the movie "Contact"? Great opening scenes. But nowhere do they mention that what's going on is amateur radio! btw - the Vibroplex shown in that film is the very model and vintage I have used since 1974. I'd also bet that there really aren't that many people who are really that interested in radio. That's okay. I don't pick my hobbies on their popularity. I pick them because I like to do them. Radio "for its own sake" has always been a niche avocation. I went to a highschool (class of 1972) that had 2400 boys and a heavy academic emphasis on math and science. In my senior year there were exactly six licensed hams there. Of those six, three remained active long after high school. Now we are two, with the untimely passing of WA3RVT some years ago. More publicity can't hurt. But amateur radio isn't a spectator sport - for most, anyway. -- There was a great article some years back which I will now paraphrase. The author whose name escapes me now said that there were three basic kinds of hams - operators, communicators, and tinkerers. Or words to that effect. Operators simply like to get on the air and make contacts. It's the medium more than the message, the skill as much as the results. Communicators are there for the message. Radio is the tool to get the job done, that's all. Tinkerers are into the technology of radio, the projects, etc. Of course most hams a a mixture of all three, but you can see that the mix varies widely in different individuals. It's also clear that as things change, the attractions of these three reasons wax and wane. Once upon a time, amateur radio attracted lots of communicator types because there were so few alternatives within reach of the average person. I recall reading of hams who got their licenses simply to keep in touch with family members across the country or around the world. With the advent of cellphones, email and cheap longdistance, much of that is gone. Tinkerers are still with us, but it's a different game now. In the past, most hams had to do some pretty serious tinkering just to get on the air - even with manufactured equipment. While that sort of thing is still around, it's not so prevalent as before. Operator types are most numerous today, for obvious reasons. The situation is analagous to cars - there are those for whom driving is a joy in itself, those for whom driving is a means to an end (transportation), and those who like to mess around with motor vehicles. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message ... Ryan, KC8PMX wrote: (sarcasm mode on) Since the entire public is completely aware of amateur radio, therefore they all are waiting for the code test to drop, then we should have huge growth eh??? (sarcasm mode off) Is the reason for low growth that people don't know about the ARS? I would have to say it is one factor at least. I am not saying it is the only factor for low growth. I'd postulate that anyone that has any interest will pretty quickly find out about us. have internet access, you'll find us. Read a newspaper, and there are several articles a year about the ARS. That postulation would also have to assume that there is some awareness of this hobby/service, even if it is only a small amount of awareness. What I was referring to was, I have run across many people that DID NOT have ANY awareness whatsoever. Of course after discussing, they did have at least a little bit of awareness, and it would be up to them to pursue it any further. I'd also bet that there really aren't that many people who are really that interested in radio. That's okay. I don't pick my hobbies on their popularity. I pick them because I like to do them. I would agree with that statement as well Mike. Those people are not part of this particular equation; being the awareness issue. -- Ryan, KC8PMX FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!) --. --- -.. ... .- -. --. . .-.. ... .- .-. . ..-. .. .-. . ..-. ... --. .... - . .-. ... |
I'd postulate that anyone that has any interest will pretty quickly find out about us. have internet access, you'll find us. Read a newspaper, and there are several articles a year about the ARS. Several articles a year out of how many thousand? Would love to see a thousand per year or more! This would be more on the shoulders of local groups, clubs and individuals to coordinate with local media to make this happen. A person in every club, with the responsibility of being the PR person would be a good goal. This person would be responsible for contacting media outlets for every event, including open meetings etc. I did the PR function for our local club for 2 years, and even trained a neighboring club PR person with the techniques I had utilized. I had created a quite a tracking system to keep track of media contacts, upcoming events, and results thereof. I should write something up on this to share with others eh? Folks hafta know where to look. Any time a ham radio related event is in print media, a website address should be included in some way or another if the media outlet will do so. Remember the movie "Contact"? Great opening scenes. But nowhere do they mention that what's going on is amateur radio! I think actually there is some reference, but it is merely in a passing reference. I would have to watch it again to make sure though. It's been a while since I have seen that movie..... I'd also bet that there really aren't that many people who are really that interested in radio. That's okay. I don't pick my hobbies on their popularity. I pick them because I like to do them. Radio "for its own sake" has always been a niche avocation. I went to a highschool (class of 1972) that had 2400 boys and a heavy academic emphasis on math and science. In my senior year there were exactly six licensed hams there. Of those six, three remained active long after high school. Now we are two, with the untimely passing of WA3RVT some years ago. Hey.... I don't know what it is like around where you are at, but unfortunately around here, electronics are no longer being taught as an elective class choice. In fact alot of the "vocational" classes that one could take as an elective in high school around here are being cut out. But of course the sports and art classes are still supported..... More publicity can't hurt. But amateur radio isn't a spectator sport - for most, anyway. Oh really..... then that statement in the past about 20% do most of the work in groups and associations is wrong then?? -- Ryan, KC8PMX "Symbolism is for the simple minded....." -- There was a great article some years back which I will now paraphrase. The author whose name escapes me now said that there were three basic kinds of hams - operators, communicators, and tinkerers. Or words to that effect. Operators simply like to get on the air and make contacts. It's the medium more than the message, the skill as much as the results. Communicators are there for the message. Radio is the tool to get the job done, that's all. Tinkerers are into the technology of radio, the projects, etc. Of course most hams a a mixture of all three, but you can see that the mix varies widely in different individuals. It's also clear that as things change, the attractions of these three reasons wax and wane. Once upon a time, amateur radio attracted lots of communicator types because there were so few alternatives within reach of the average person. I recall reading of hams who got their licenses simply to keep in touch with family members across the country or around the world. With the advent of cellphones, email and cheap longdistance, much of that is gone. Tinkerers are still with us, but it's a different game now. In the past, most hams had to do some pretty serious tinkering just to get on the air - even with manufactured equipment. While that sort of thing is still around, it's not so prevalent as before. Operator types are most numerous today, for obvious reasons. The situation is analagous to cars - there are those for whom driving is a joy in itself, those for whom driving is a means to an end (transportation), and those who like to mess around with motor vehicles. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
N2EY wrote:
In article , Mike Coslo writes: Ryan, KC8PMX wrote: (sarcasm mode on) Since the entire public is completely aware of amateur radio, therefore they all are waiting for the code test to drop, then we should have huge growth eh??? (sarcasm mode off) Is the reason for low growth that people don't know about the ARS? I'd say it's #1. I'd postulate that anyone that has any interest will pretty quickly find out about us. have internet access, you'll find us. Read a newspaper, and there are several articles a year about the ARS. Several articles a year out of how many thousand? Folks hafta know where to look. All I an say here is a related story. When I was the president of a youth Ice Hockey association, to recruit new players, we took out ads in the local newspapers, we took out ads on television, we posted ads on the bulletin boards in most of the schools in our county, and We posted flyers, professionally made by the Pittsburgh Penguins. association. Then along comes a prospective player who's father gives me a dressing down in the board meeting on how our association just can't survive doing the poor job we do advertising. I listened patiently while he said we should advertise in the local newspapers, on television, in the schools, and in the Ice Rink. I asked him how he found out about us, and he told me he saw the ad on tv, and then in the rink. Go figure. My point is that if prospective amateurs or skaters don't want to get involved, there's no way we can stop them. I don't think the ARS is an impulse hobby,the prospect has to want to do it, and then has to look. Considering the small number of people that even want to be a ham, a mass advertisement approach would be kind of like spam. Remember the movie "Contact"? Great opening scenes. But nowhere do they mention that what's going on is amateur radio! btw - the Vibroplex shown in that film is the very model and vintage I have used since 1974. I'd also bet that there really aren't that many people who are really that interested in radio. That's okay. I don't pick my hobbies on their popularity. I pick them because I like to do them. Radio "for its own sake" has always been a niche avocation. I went to a highschool (class of 1972) that had 2400 boys and a heavy academic emphasis on math and science. In my senior year there were exactly six licensed hams there. Of those six, three remained active long after high school. Now we are two, with the untimely passing of WA3RVT some years ago. More publicity can't hurt. But amateur radio isn't a spectator sport - for most, anyway. -- There was a great article some years back which I will now paraphrase. The author whose name escapes me now said that there were three basic kinds of hams - operators, communicators, and tinkerers. Or words to that effect. Operators simply like to get on the air and make contacts. It's the medium more than the message, the skill as much as the results. Communicators are there for the message. Radio is the tool to get the job done, that's all. Tinkerers are into the technology of radio, the projects, etc. Yay! Tinkering for me! Well I do like to contest too..... - Mike KB3EIA - |
On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 17:20:24 GMT, Mike Coslo
wrote: My point is that if prospective amateurs or skaters don't want to get involved, there's no way we can stop them. Hey, Mike - that sounds like a Yogi Berra-ism! 8*p " If the people don't want to come out to the ballpark, nobody's going to stop them " - Mike KB3EIA - 73, Leo |
Leo wrote:
On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 17:20:24 GMT, Mike Coslo wrote: My point is that if prospective amateurs or skaters don't want to get involved, there's no way we can stop them. Hey, Mike - that sounds like a Yogi Berra-ism! 8*p " If the people don't want to come out to the ballpark, nobody's going to stop them " You got it, Leo. There was an interview with the grand old man of baseball on NPR a week or so ago. Yogi rulez! - Mike KB3EIA - |
Dick Carroll wrote:
Mike Coslo wrote: My point is that if prospective amateurs or skaters don't want to get involved, there's no way we can stop them. Yep If they come to a fork in the road and don't take it, there's no way to stop them. g Most people either are grabbed by ham radio or they aren't. I can't speak for those who are stymied by a code test, though. I haven't yet found out how anyone who is actually interested in becoming involved could sit by for so long waiting.... I never knew anyone like that. Which brings us full circle, to a thread I started in July. It is exceptionally difficult for me to imagine that a person who is interested in something will refuse to participate because of one part of the entrance requirements. That person is simply not all that interested. This isn't about whether Morse should or shouldn't be tested for, it's about basic interest. -Mike KB3EIA - |
These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS
licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 Total - 674,792 As of October 15, 2003: Novice - 32,977 (decrease of 16,352) Technician - 257,303 (increase of 51,909) Technician Plus - 64,686 (decrease of 64,174) General - 141,313 (increase of 28,636) Advanced - 82,589 (decrease of 17,193) Extra - 104,670 (increase of 25,920) Total - 683,538 (increase of 8,746) 73 de Jim, N2EY |
"N2EY" wrote in message om... These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 Total - 674,792 As of October 15, 2003: Novice - 32,977 (decrease of 16,352) Technician - 257,303 (increase of 51,909) Technician Plus - 64,686 (decrease of 64,174) General - 141,313 (increase of 28,636) Advanced - 82,589 (decrease of 17,193) Extra - 104,670 (increase of 25,920) Total - 683,538 (increase of 8,746) 73 de Jim, N2EY How Come with all these 'new' Ektra class tickets they STILL ain't covering the HF bands? Perhaps they can't figure out how to cut that dipole, eh? Dan/W4NTI |
In article et, "Dan/W4NTI"
w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com writes: "N2EY" wrote in message . com... These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 Total - 674,792 As of October 15, 2003: Novice - 32,977 (decrease of 16,352) Technician - 257,303 (increase of 51,909) Technician Plus - 64,686 (decrease of 64,174) General - 141,313 (increase of 28,636) Advanced - 82,589 (decrease of 17,193) Extra - 104,670 (increase of 25,920) Total - 683,538 (increase of 8,746) 73 de Jim, N2EY How Come with all these 'new' Ektra class tickets they STILL ain't covering the HF bands? Good question. Back in May 14 2000, the total number of Generals/Advanceds/Extras (license classes with lots of HF/MF privileges) was 291,209 On October 15, 2003, that total was 328,562, an increase of 37,353. About 12.8% in 3-1/2 years. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message ink.net...
"N2EY" wrote in message om... These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 Total - 674,792 As of October 15, 2003: Novice - 32,977 (decrease of 16,352) Technician - 257,303 (increase of 51,909) Technician Plus - 64,686 (decrease of 64,174) General - 141,313 (increase of 28,636) Advanced - 82,589 (decrease of 17,193) Extra - 104,670 (increase of 25,920) Total - 683,538 (increase of 8,746) 73 de Jim, N2EY How Come with all these 'new' Ektra class tickets they STILL ain't covering the HF bands? Perhaps they can't figure out how to cut that dipole, eh? Dan/W4NTI So you're saying that HF HASN'T been ruined by hordes of unwashed CBers? |
"Brian" wrote in message m... "Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message ink.net... "N2EY" wrote in message om... These are the number of unexpired FCC ARS licenses held by individuals on the dates listed: As of May 14, 2000: Novice - 49,329 Tech - 205,394 Tech Plus - 128,860 General - 112,677 Advanced - 99,782 Extra - 78,750 Total - 674,792 As of October 15, 2003: Novice - 32,977 (decrease of 16,352) Technician - 257,303 (increase of 51,909) Technician Plus - 64,686 (decrease of 64,174) General - 141,313 (increase of 28,636) Advanced - 82,589 (decrease of 17,193) Extra - 104,670 (increase of 25,920) Total - 683,538 (increase of 8,746) 73 de Jim, N2EY How Come with all these 'new' Ektra class tickets they STILL ain't covering the HF bands? Perhaps they can't figure out how to cut that dipole, eh? Dan/W4NTI So you're saying that HF HASN'T been ruined by hordes of unwashed CBers? No, Brian....I'm saying that they are too ignorant to get a signal on HF. Dan/W4NTI |
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