"Mike Coslo" wrote:

(snip) I want added test material for the
advanced licenses to fill the vacuum left
by the departure of Morse Code testing.
I don't want the additions as a way of
keeping people out - indeed if there are
some more questions, it is just a matter
of studying a little more. I want it to show
that we are not just getting rid of things,
and thereby simply making things easier
to get a ticket. (snip)


Several have said that, but I just don't see what can be added that
wouldn't fundamentality change the nature of the Amateur Radio Service. As I
see it, this is an amateur activity designed with three basic goals in
mind - provide some radio services to others (public service), some benefit
to the participants (recreational radio activities), and a mild introduction
to the field of electronics. Since the first two (and international
goodwill) don't seem to be a consideration, I'll ignore those for now.

This leaves the last and a question about how far that should be taken.
Most are not clear at all about that. Some seem to suggest we add content to
more closely fit a college degree program. If so, do we add science,
history, social studies, general math, politics, language, art, economics,
health, and the other things colleges require? If not, can we honestly claim
the license is comprehensive training? But if we add those things, what
happens to the avocational nature of this activity?

I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where they're
lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur Radio
Service are concerned.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

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

"Dwight Stewart" wrote

I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where they're
lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur Radio
Service are concerned.

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician, I've almost got the
General Class test memorized. Don't set me back by making me memorize a
whole different set of questions."

73, de Hans, K0HB

"KØHB" wrote:

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician,
I've almost got the General Class test memorized.
Don't set me back by making me memorize a
whole different set of questions."


Very funny, Hans. However, as previously stated, I have no interest in
getting the General at this time. In fact, I'm not even that active with my
current license. I've looked over the license tests several times over the
last few years, the most recent to was when the tests were redone to see if
any significant changes were made.

Only one situation might immediately cause me to consider a new license
class - if there was a possibility for us to go overseas again for a length
of time where getting another license would be difficult. In that case, I
would get a General, and perhaps even the Extra, in case I might want that
capability while overseas.

Other than that, my interest in the other license classes will probably
not go beyond casual curiosity anytime soon.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

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

"KØHB" wrote in message
nk.net...
"Dwight Stewart" wrote

I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where
they're
lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur Radio
Service are concerned.

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician, I've almost got the
General Class test memorized. Don't set me back by making me memorize a
whole different set of questions."

73, de Hans, K0HB

"Hammer, meet nail."

I don't even think we need to change the questions. Eliminate the published
Q&A pools and reorder the answers, that'll do it.

Q. Do what?

A. Require just a hair more cerebral activity than rote memorization.

73 de Bert
WA2SI

Bert Craig wrote:
"KØHB" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Dwight Stewart" wrote


I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where

they're

lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur Radio
Service are concerned.

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician, I've almost got the
General Class test memorized. Don't set me back by making me memorize a
whole different set of questions."

73, de Hans, K0HB


"Hammer, meet nail."

When you're only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! 8^)


I don't even think we need to change the questions. Eliminate the published
Q&A pools and reorder the answers, that'll do it.

Big deal! There will have to be a study guide, which will have the
answers in it in text form. I'd read it and know it. Probably quicker
and better than the pools

BTW, Bert, did you know that they change the order of the answers in the
actual test as compared to the question pool?


Q. Do what?

A. Require just a hair more cerebral activity than rote memorization.


Maybe for some.

- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


Bert Craig wrote:
"KØHB" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Dwight Stewart" wrote


I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where

they're

lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur Radio
Service are concerned.

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician, I've almost got the
General Class test memorized. Don't set me back by making me memorize a
whole different set of questions."

73, de Hans, K0HB


"Hammer, meet nail."

When you're only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! 8^)

Lol.

I don't even think we need to change the questions. Eliminate the
published
Q&A pools and reorder the answers, that'll do it.

Big deal! There will have to be a study guide, which will have the
answers in it in text form. I'd read it and know it. Probably quicker
and better than the pools

I'd bet you would too. I had a slightly unfair advantage, a college avionics
curriculum that culminated in a GROL. However, in order to earn our
sheepskins, we had to pass screening exams...no published Q&A pools. Same
applied to our FAA exams.

BTW, Bert, did you know that they change the order of the answers in the
actual test as compared to the question pool?

Didn't really notice. Once you review the Q&A pool, the correct answer
stands out like a sore thumb. I reviewed the Q&A pool twice and drove and
hour so to Yonkers, NY...for approx. six minutes of actual exam time. (&
that gave me privies to 1500 Watts on 50 MHz and up?!)

Q. Do what?

A. Require just a hair more cerebral activity than rote memorization.


Maybe for some.

You're right, maybe.

- Mike KB3EIA -

73 de Bert
WA2SI

Bert Craig wrote:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


Bert Craig wrote:

"KØHB" wrote in message
hlink.net...


"Dwight Stewart" wrote



I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where

they're


lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur Radio
Service are concerned.

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician, I've almost got the
General Class test memorized. Don't set me back by making me memorize a
whole different set of questions."

73, de Hans, K0HB


"Hammer, meet nail."

When you're only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! 8^)


Lol.


I don't even think we need to change the questions. Eliminate the

published

Q&A pools and reorder the answers, that'll do it.

Big deal! There will have to be a study guide, which will have the
answers in it in text form. I'd read it and know it. Probably quicker
and better than the pools


I'd bet you would too. I had a slightly unfair advantage, a college avionics
curriculum that culminated in a GROL. However, in order to earn our
sheepskins, we had to pass screening exams...no published Q&A pools. Same
applied to our FAA exams.


BTW, Bert, did you know that they change the order of the answers in the
actual test as compared to the question pool?


Didn't really notice. Once you review the Q&A pool, the correct answer
stands out like a sore thumb. I reviewed the Q&A pool twice and drove and
hour so to Yonkers, NY...for approx. six minutes of actual exam time. (&
that gave me privies to 1500 Watts on 50 MHz and up?!)

Reminds me of the first time I took the General test. I got up early
and drove to the Hamfest in Butler PA from State College PA. Drank
several cups of coffee on the way. I took the writtens first, and no
problem acing it. Then the combination of the trip and too much coffee
kicked in as I sat down for the Morse code test. As they say in the
Bronx fuggitaboudit! So I had to wait a while for my ticket.

Which makes me wonder, I do not do Morse well under stress. I wonder how
some of those who had to do it under some awful condx ever managed.

- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
t...
Bert Craig wrote:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


Bert Craig wrote:

"KØHB" wrote in message
hlink.net...


"Dwight Stewart" wrote



I've looked over the current written tests. I just don't see where

they're


lacking as far as the existing goals and purposes of the Amateur
Radio
Service are concerned.

Translation: "After over 6 years as a Technician, I've almost got the
General Class test memorized. Don't set me back by making me memorize
a
whole different set of questions."

73, de Hans, K0HB


"Hammer, meet nail."

When you're only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! 8^)


Lol.


I don't even think we need to change the questions. Eliminate the

published

Q&A pools and reorder the answers, that'll do it.

Big deal! There will have to be a study guide, which will have the
answers in it in text form. I'd read it and know it. Probably quicker
and better than the pools


I'd bet you would too. I had a slightly unfair advantage, a college
avionics
curriculum that culminated in a GROL. However, in order to earn our
sheepskins, we had to pass screening exams...no published Q&A pools.
Same
applied to our FAA exams.


BTW, Bert, did you know that they change the order of the answers in the
actual test as compared to the question pool?


Didn't really notice. Once you review the Q&A pool, the correct answer
stands out like a sore thumb. I reviewed the Q&A pool twice and drove
and
hour so to Yonkers, NY...for approx. six minutes of actual exam time. (&
that gave me privies to 1500 Watts on 50 MHz and up?!)

Reminds me of the first time I took the General test. I got up early
and drove to the Hamfest in Butler PA from State College PA. Drank
several cups of coffee on the way. I took the writtens first, and no
problem acing it. Then the combination of the trip and too much coffee
kicked in as I sat down for the Morse code test. As they say in the
Bronx fuggitaboudit! So I had to wait a while for my ticket.

Which makes me wonder, I do not do Morse well under stress. I wonder how
some of those who had to do it under some awful condx ever managed.

- Mike KB3EIA -

I actually had a pretty good experience with Element 1...once it began. I
had actually kinda over-prepped and was getting pretty nervous. Dick, N0BK
(God rest his soul.) told me to stop practicing, get off my ar$e, and just
give it a whirl.

When I arrived, it was all I could do NOT to throw up, until the code
characters started flowing. I had practiced with the ARRL CD's and they
turned out to be a tad faster than the actual exam. It was like gettin'
ready to bat in the world series only to have the pitcher throw cantaloupe
sized balls in slow-motion...underhand. I went into immediate $hit-eating
grin mode.

Then there's gettin' OTA...whole 'nutha story. ;-)

73 de Bert
WA2SI

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 03:54:25 GMT, Mike Coslo wrote:

Which makes me wonder, I do not do Morse well under stress. I wonder how
some of those who had to do it under some awful condx ever managed.

I was at a hearing once where a shipboard operator was accused of
slugging the captain in the radio room. The other operator on duty
was being questioned as a witness, and was asked "did you see or hear
Mr. X have a fist-fight with the captain?". His reply: "when I sit
and copy the telegraph code that's all I concentrate on".

Not being a "morseman" as others call it, I admire someone who can
do that sort of concentration. (I've done it on 'phone, though.)

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
t...
[snip]
Reminds me of the first time I took the General test. I got up early
and drove to the Hamfest in Butler PA from State College PA. Drank
several cups of coffee on the way. I took the writtens first, and no
problem acing it. Then the combination of the trip and too much coffee
kicked in as I sat down for the Morse code test. As they say in the
Bronx fuggitaboudit! So I had to wait a while for my ticket.

Which makes me wonder, I do not do Morse well under stress. I wonder how
some of those who had to do it under some awful condx ever managed.

- Mike KB3EIA -


Those who can hold it together under stress come in two types: a - nerves
of steel (only a few of those around) OR b - they've done it so long that
it's no more stressful than talking (probably the more common reason).

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE