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 June 30, 2003:

Novice - 33,796 (decrease of 15,533)
Technician - 256,588 (increase of 51,194)
Technician Plus - 67,416 (decrease of 61,444)
General - 141,181 (increase of 28,504)
Advanced - 83,239 (decrease of 16,543)
Extra - 104,271 (increase of 25,521)
Total - 686,491 (increase of 11,699)

73 de Jim, N2EY

In article , "Carl R. Stevenson"
writes:

"Dick Carroll" wrote in message
...

"Carl R. Stevenson" wrote:

eliminating Morse testing will help,

Depends on an accurate definition of "help". I seriously doubt any help
will accrue
from allowing all the freebanding illiterati to migrate down to HF.

That's a bogus argument

Not really. It's not universal, either.

... since the "freebanders" operate without any
regard for the law, why would the allow a Morse test requirement to
dissuade them ...

I think you meant "why would they allow" - I'll go on that assumption

they have no licenses to operate any way (and don't
care to get them) ...

Here's how it works - in theory, anyway:

Most freebanders started out as cb users who then got tired of the limitations
of 5 watts and 40 channels. But, having had "a taste of HF", they wanted more -
more power, more spectrum, etc. Some became hams. Others looked into the
requirements for a ham license, saw the code test, and said 'no thanks".
Instead, they began running higher power and on frequencies adjacent to the
legal 40 channels.

With the code test gone, it will be a lot easier for folks like that to get ham
licenses. Most of them already know enough theory and regs to pass the
Technician written. They already have antennas and equipment that will work on
10 meters.

Carl, you have told us repeatedly that you know engineers who would have become
hams except for the code test. I think the word was "disincentive". And even
after the code test was gone for VHF/UHF, they did not become hams because they
wanted HF access.

If that was true for those engineers, why wouldn't it be true for lots of other
people?

This reminds me of the "We'll be over-run by the 'mongrel hordes' from
the CB bands FUD ... that hasn't happened either.

A lot of today's hams were or are cb users. Most are well behaved, but a few
are not.

Get real.

One of the most-repeated arguments I have heard from the nocodetest folks is
that the code test acts as a "barrier" to a ham license for many people who are
interested in radio not interested in code. If that is true, why wouldn't it be
true for cb users, freebanders and lots of other people?

--

Now maybe, just maybe, the removal of the code test will result in lots of new
law-abiding, progressive hams, interested in helping the ARS progress into the
21st century with new modes, new technologies and a new vision of the future.
We'll know pretty soon.

73 de Jim, N2EY

73 de Jim, N2EY

From: (N2EY)

Carl, you have told us repeatedly that you know engineers who would have
become
hams except for the code test.

And even
after the code test was gone for VHF/UHF, they did not become hams because
they
wanted HF access.

The full spectrum, except HF, is a good incentive to get a Ham license.
Probably not all Engineers want or need HF so much that they wouldn't become a
Ham because of a code test.

A lot of today's hams were or are cb users.

Not me.

Now maybe, just maybe, the removal of the code test will result in lots of
new
law-abiding, progressive hams, interested in helping the ARS progress into
the
21st century with new modes, new technologies and a new vision of the future.

There is a code free license right now, so probably not.

From: (Steve Robeson, K4CAP)

They don't happen to me. Doesn't happen in the four closest clubs to me, at
Hamfests in MA, NH, CT. Doesn't happen despite my best efforts to search
for
such activities. Its not what Hams are interested in.

And you refuse to identify these clubs by name. I am sure that is
directly due to the fact that we will then be able to confirm, via
third parties, that you silly assertions are false.

I went to a Ham club in CT yesterday. I know, failure results from doing the
same things that didn't work before, but it was a "new" type of club. It was
the VHF/UHF/Microwave club in CT. Between the DXpedition and this event, I will
skeptical of any Ham Radio event from now on.

Lots of homebrewed microwave stuff. And they supposedly did Minimum Signal
Testing, although I didn't stick around to verify this.

I found the Ham culture similar to other clubs, however. Mostly talking about
Ham stuff. Some technical talk about their setup. However, the technical person
would feel out of place there. A few talked about the people they contacted. A
few were happy to include others. Most of them were not. They seemed to contact
people through the radio, but not in person.

About 20+ people were there. More were showing up, but I didn't say long. Also,
it was 100% male. About half were old and about 75% were overweight. Not that
there is anything wrong with that. There just seems to be a correlation in Ham
Radio demographics. What is is about Ham radio that makes you want to eat
alot? Surprising, Ham Radio brings in few females.

Again, WHY do you insist that these things don't go on when
indeed they are frequent topics of conversation in QST, 73, CQ,
etc...?!?!

I cant find any, despite my best effort. Lets face it, Hams are anti-social
males. Significant percentages are overweight and older. Most do not like the
technical aspect, either. You'll find that at any random Ham Radio gathering or
event.

From: Dave Heil k8mn

I thought you told us that hams don't homebrew gear.

I guess VHF/UHF/Microwave or QRP clubs do.

What would you expect hams to talk about a ham radio club meeting?

It was an operating event, not a club meeting.

I did not expect them to be similar to other clubs. When I asked different
people about their setup, he seemed busy and not wanting to talk about it. If
it was me, I would happily explain what I made, brag about it, show interested
people schematics, share technical info, etc.

However, the technical person
would feel out of place there.

You mean around the homebrew microwave gear?

Yes, once they were setup, they were much the same as the non-homebrewing Ham.

Are you telling us that they sat around conversing with each other by
using their homebrew microwave gear while at the meeting?

They contacted other Hams, not the same hams that were at the gathering, of
course.

What is is about Ham radio that makes you want to eat
alot?

Oh, you believe that amateur radio causes overeating. Ever hang around
a Burger King?

Okay, it was not a random group (they were a VHF/UHF/Microwave club), but it
was still Hams. And this trend occurs at several Ham radio events. Such events
require little physical activity. Also, people often eat unhealthy food at
these events. This could be a good reason for the tendency to weigh more.

Most do not like the
technical aspect, either. You'll find that at any random Ham Radio
gathering or
event.

You don't know anything about what most do.

Sure, I have not taken a poll. But isn't it foolish to believe otherwise when
you always encounter is anti-social, non technical people? I "let" my club
membership expire. If I am missing a segment that fits what I am looking for, I
would like to know about it and I would join that type of club.

From: Dave Heil k8mn

When I asked different
people about their setup, he seemed busy and not wanting to talk about it.
If
it was me, I would happily explain what I made, brag about it, show
interested
people schematics, share technical info, etc.

The more you go on with these tales, the more I suspect that you
fabricate portions so as to promote your agenda.

Please tell me how what I said was fabricated. What would they have said
instead? Are you saying they were enthiusiastic about explaining their setup,
and I said the reverse?

Sure, I have not taken a poll.

Then you have no factual evidence.

I have seen it first hand. Where it the alternate reality? If its not too far
from me (so I can get there), then tell me about it. Please provide an example.

Vshah101 wrote:

From: Dave Heil k8mn

When I asked different
people about their setup, he seemed busy and not wanting to talk about it.
If
it was me, I would happily explain what I made, brag about it, show
interested
people schematics, share technical info, etc.

The more you go on with these tales, the more I suspect that you
fabricate portions so as to promote your agenda.

Please tell me how what I said was fabricated. What would they have said
instead?

I suppose you mean, "How could I have fabricated portions to further my
hidden agenda?" The answer would be: by stretching the truth so as to
make it seem that no radio amateur at any gathering is interested in
talking to you. If, however, your statements are true, you seem to have
a god-given gift for honking people off. In all of your tales, no one
seems to want to have a thing to do with you. That leads me to believe
that you are the problem.

Are you saying they were enthiusiastic about explaining their setup,
and I said the reverse?

No.



Sure, I have not taken a poll.

Then you have no factual evidence.

I have seen it first hand.

So you say. Either things aren't as you say or your presence brings out
the worst in people.

Where it the alternate reality? If its not too far
from me (so I can get there), then tell me about it. Please provide an example.

There may not be an "alternate reality" for you, Vipul. You seem to
have your personal black could following wherever you go.

Dave K8MN

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 July 31, 2003:

Novice - 33,409 (decrease of 15,920)
Technician - 257,791 (increase of 52,397)
Technician Plus - 66,704 (decrease of 62,156)
General - 141,381 (increase of 28,704)
Advanced - 83,141 (decrease of 16,641)
Extra - 104,453 (increase of 25,703)
Total - 686,879 (increase of 12,087)

73 de Jim, N2EY

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 1, 2003:

Novice - 33,156 (decrease of 16,173)
Technician - 257,830 (increase of 52,436)
Technician Plus - 65,928 (decrease of 62,932)
General - 141,402 (increase of 28,725)
Advanced - 82,931 (decrease of 16,851)
Extra - 104,512 (increase of 25,762)
Total - 685,759 (increase of 10,967)

73 de Jim, N2EY

(N2EY) wrote in news:20030902191946.00545.00000362@mb-
m02.aol.com:

As of September 1, 2003:

Novice - 33,156 (decrease of 16,173)
Technician - 257,830 (increase of 52,436)
Technician Plus - 65,928 (decrease of 62,932)
General - 141,402 (increase of 28,725)
Advanced - 82,931 (decrease of 16,851)
Extra - 104,512 (increase of 25,762)
Total - 685,759 (increase of 10,967)

73 de Jim, N2EY


Some of those aren't REAL Generals, or Extra's. The number of true
Generals and Extra's is actually less than the numbers shown.




Why is there never a Wouff Hong around when you really need one?
KB7ADL