In article , "Carl R. Stevenson"
writes:


I've seen quite a bit of the "If I don't get my way, I'll take my ball and
go
home." attitude ... you, Larry, for one have said in the past something
to the effect that "If code testing is eliminated, they might as well just
auction our bands off to the commercial folks." (perhaps not an exact
quote, but pretty darned close and certainly conveying the meaning of
what you've said ...)

Carl:

Yes, I did say that. And it still seems like a good idea to me, considering
what the future prospects for the ARS are looking like. After all, we're
hoarding literally billions of dollars worth of commercially-viable spectrum,
most of which isn't being used by us (hams) for a damn thing worth
talking about. I'm sure we'll always have most of our HF allocations, but
I expect we're gonna lose big time above 500 MHz or so. And that, in
reference to another post, is just my concept of "reality."

AFAIC, when the FCC finally gives us a No-Code Test ARS licensing
system, the "destruction" of our hobby/service is self-assured. About
the best we can hope for is for the NCTA's to continue with their
traditional
apathy and laziness, and somehow not flock to the ARS in any great
numbers. We would also require the assistance of the ARRL and the
FCC to resist the urge to expand HF phone spectrum, but I don't see that
as something the ARRL would do, so the FCC will be happy to oblige
when the petitions start coming in. In any case, the future of the ARS
looks bleak, and it will be the non-code tested "newcomers" who will
be administering the coup de gras.

BTW, Carl -- the only reason you're an "Extra" is because you waited until
the code test was dumbed down to a maximum of 5 WPM. That's not being
a Real Extra(tm) in the opinion of any of the traditional PCTA's. You're
just a wannabe Extra Pretender who got in on an Affirmative Action
program.

Over 32 years as an RF Engineer, recognized in my profession, and I'm
"not good enough" for the likes of you and Dick? Not sure whether to
ROTFLMAO or gag/puke ...

What do 32 years of RF engineering experience have to do with ham radio,
Carl? I'll admit that it's handy to have guys like you around, but most of
the hams I know have no professional-level technical skills whatsoever. We
are radio AMATEURS. Your professional credentials are recognized within
your profession for good reason -- you deserve such recognition -- WITHIN
YOUR PROFESSION. As a radio amateur, however, you're no better than any
other dumbed-down Extra-Lite who waited for years to get around the
requirement to learn and be tested for a useful communications skill.
Sorry about that, my friend, but that's just the TRVTH.

73 de Larry, K3LT