"WA8ULX" wrote in message
...
the recruiting needs to start early, and a simple
test with a restrictive license is the answer. It was once that way and
it
seemed to work.

ak

How much simpler do you wont it, it so simple now its a JOKE

For a youngster, the 1993-1997 Novice question pool is not a "joke." The
test had fewer questions back 1958 when I took the Novice test, and the
questions were mostly about regulations, basic definitions, and Ohm's Law.
Enough knowledge was required that someone who passed should know the rules
and a few very basic technical things. I'm guessing that there were 20 test
questions back then. It was enough of a test to assure that the licensee
could get on the air knowing what they could and could not do as an
operator, and what the punishment might be if they violated the regulations.
That's really about all a beginner needs to know. The Extra class back in
those days was a much more comprehensive exam back then, requiring hand
drawn and labeled schematics for one section of the test. I thought the
Extra test in those days was much tougher than the First Class Commercial
exam, even though it conveyed no more privileges than the General license
did. Anyhow, the Novice should be a starter license, only difficult enough
to assure that the new ham has a handle on the rules and what makes up a
station. A few questions on safety are also appropriate. No, I don't think
we should go back to requiring only crystals for frequency control. HI

ak