Dwight Stewart wrote:
"Mike Coslo" wrote:

some snippage


BUT! the individual tests can be "smartened" or
"dumbed". All that is up to us. We decide.

But we have to decide within the constraints of the intent of those tests.
To do that, we have to understand that intent. Far too many try to view the
Ham Radio license exams as some sort of knowledge exam, when they are
instead entrance exams into Ham Radio.

I won't disagree with your basic premise, but therin lies danger.



And Ham Radio is a recreation, not a
vocation.

And there is the trap! There are many recreations that require some
learning to effectively use and enjoy them. Fishing and boating come to
mind. I have a boat. I never took a test for its use, although I got a
little pamphlet when I got my license. Whenever I bought a fishing
license, I got another little pamphlet explaining seasons and creel
limits, which are pretty darn analogous to band edges and power limits.
But no tests.


The FCC has other exams designed to examine vocational knowledge,
as do local colleges and universities. Given those facts, I see no reason to
change the existing written exams.

Just be on guard, because others do.


- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote:

And there is the trap! There are many recreations
that require some learning to effectively use and
enjoy them. Fishing and boating come to mind. I
have a boat. I never took a test for its use,
although I got a little pamphlet when I got my
license. (snip)


The difference lies in the use of that recreation. As you know, Ham Radio
also serves a purpose outside pure recreation (emergency service, for
example). Therefore, the FCC took a more proactive approach, but one that is
not that different from other recreations with a more serious side.

Lets take your boat as an example. For pure recreation, you obviously do
not need a license or operating exam. However, if you join an organization
like the CG Auxiliary with the intent to use that boat for a more serious
purpose, you are expected to take courses, pass exams, and maintain the boat
to certain standards. The same is true for CAP and other similar mainly
recreational activities with a serious side.

Do you follow what I'm saying here? I'm trying to simplify things, while
still getting across the point.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/