Morbeius wrote:
Code? Schmode! (what a load?)

You "hams" want to keep the pride and technical prowess
within Amateur Radio into the new Century? Then do this:

1) Eliminate ALL code testing for ALL License classes.

2) Enact a complete re-vamping of the pool of the written
exam questions.

(and now for the rub)

3) DO NOT PUBLISH the question pools - PERIOD !


Even better would be to ask questions that were not covered in ANY
book. That'd make sure only good smart people got in.

Seriously, there is not much these days that doesn't have a supply of Q
and A's somewhere.

I was up at Barnes and Noble a few days ago, and saw they have pools for
many professional trades. Electrician, HVAC pro's, etc. You will have a
looong haul to get the pool eliminated for Ham radio tests.

The answers in the pool are shuffled around for at least the Extra test.

There are 806 questions to choose from, up from 665 in the previous pool.


What is the difference between a pool of questions and a book in which
the answers are in there in text form - or do you suggest that there be
no actual study guide for the tests? If there is a study guide without
the needed material in it, it isn't a study guide.


If someone wants an Amateur License, then they should have a
working technical and theoretical knowledge of RF Theorems and
all related aspects of electrical and electronic practice.


It used to be that if you were an Amateur Operator you had to demonstrate
a degree of professionality and knowledge

How was professionality demonstrated on the test process?


Having an Extra Class licence should be *almost equal* to someone
who has a BSEE. Both should be able to answer questions on varied
topics of Electrical Engineering with a reasonable degree of competence.

Good heavens! A person has to take "almost" 4 years of college to
qualify for Extra? If ya wanna tie it to education, how about BS for
Technician, MS for General and PHD for Extra. Then all those hams would
be real smart!


Until something along these lines is attempted, Amateur Radio will
be nothing more than glorified CB radio. I've been to enough club
meetings and hamfests where I've seen holders of Extra Class tickets
who couldn't comprehend even the most basic of electronics theory.
It didn't used to be this way!

DLTDHYAOTWO!


- Mike KB3EIA -