K=D8HB wrote:
"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...

No other part of the testing is a skill.

My point EXACTLY, Mike.

While there are many skills associated with our hobby, only one of
those skills
is singled out for a required demonstration.

Interestingly, if that skill is so vital as to need a skill
demonstration, it
would seem that no-one who had not been tested would be allowed to
use it on the
air. Yet a basic Technician licensee is perfectly free to use Morse
on the air
without having passed a Morse test. So much for the need for a
demonstration
before a license grant!

73, de Hans, K0HB

I wonder how VE Dee would accomodate the disabled in the Tower Climbing
pass/fail skill exam?

"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...

KØHB wrote:
"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...

No other part of the testing is a skill.

My point EXACTLY, Mike.

While there are many skills associated with our hobby, only one of
those skills
is singled out for a required demonstration.

Interestingly, if that skill is so vital as to need a skill
demonstration, it
would seem that no-one who had not been tested would be allowed to
use it on the
air. Yet a basic Technician licensee is perfectly free to use Morse
on the air
without having passed a Morse test. So much for the need for a
demonstration
before a license grant!

73, de Hans, K0HB

I wonder how VE Dee would accomodate the disabled in the Tower Climbing
pass/fail skill exam?


Not that Tower climbing will likely ever become an issue with the exam, but
if it were, then I'd suggest there would be questions relating to the proper
safety techniques of doing such a job, wherein "actual" "physical"
demonstration is not needed nor required. Given that - a wheel chair bound
person "could" pass those parts of an exam. I can't fathom tower climbing
becoming a major issue. There is a question or so relating to wearing a
"hard hat" when working "near" a tower in case someone drops a tool or other
item. So, there ya go. Perhaps you can consider that as a step in the
"tower" safety process. It would be only "questions" relating to such
things, what's the big deal about pass/fail? You either answer the question
correctly as you would be expected to with any other - or you don't!

We have to count the number of correct answers given and see it they add up
to a passing grade, if not - too bad! It won't matter if they're handicapped
or not. We can accommodate them as to taking the exam, we don't accommodate
them as to giving them the "answers".

cl

"cl" wrote in message
o.verio.net...
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


[snip]


I wonder how VE Dee would accomodate the disabled in the Tower Climbing
pass/fail skill exam?


Tower climbing is not a basic skill so there is no need to test for it. One
can put up a wide variety of antennas without a tower. On the other hand,
I've often thought that a person (unless handicapped) should demonstrate
putting a simple PL-256 on coax.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee Flint wrote:
"cl" wrote in message
o.verio.net...
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


[snip]


I wonder how VE Dee would accomodate the disabled in the Tower
Climbing
pass/fail skill exam?


Tower climbing is not a basic skill so there is no need to test for
it. One
can put up a wide variety of antennas without a tower. On the other
hand,
I've often thought that a person (unless handicapped) should
demonstrate
putting a simple PL-256 on coax.

Blasphemy! Off with your head!

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

w3rv

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
news I've often thought that a person (unless handicapped) should demonstrate
putting a simple PL-256 on coax.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Perhaps they could demonstrate a PL259 connector instead?

Brad VK2QQ

Perhaps they could demonstrate a PL259 connector instead?

Extra credit if they can do it without melting the
dielectric insulation of the coax. More points if they
can get the solder to actually flow onto the connector body
where the shield solder holes are located (helps if you
use a small file to remove the plating first).
And more points if they remember to put the shell on the
cable in the correct direction before doing any soldering ;-)

"robert casey" wrote in message
hlink.net...



Perhaps they could demonstrate a PL259 connector instead?

Extra credit if they can do it without melting the
dielectric insulation of the coax. More points if they
can get the solder to actually flow onto the connector body
where the shield solder holes are located (helps if you
use a small file to remove the plating first).
And more points if they remember to put the shell on the
cable in the correct direction before doing any soldering ;-)

Or they could demonstrate extra skills and just use crimp on PL259's like I
do. These are much easier and more reliable. They are more expensive but
their construction is superior.

My original comment was directed at Dee offering points for something called
a "PL256".

Brad

My original comment was directed at Dee offering points for something called
a "PL256".


That a "digital" cable? :-)

"Brad" wrote in message
...

"robert casey" wrote in message
hlink.net...



Perhaps they could demonstrate a PL259 connector instead?

Extra credit if they can do it without melting the
dielectric insulation of the coax. More points if they
can get the solder to actually flow onto the connector body
where the shield solder holes are located (helps if you
use a small file to remove the plating first).
And more points if they remember to put the shell on the
cable in the correct direction before doing any soldering ;-)

Or they could demonstrate extra skills and just use crimp on PL259's like
I do. These are much easier and more reliable. They are more expensive but
their construction is superior.

My original comment was directed at Dee offering points for something
called a "PL256".

Brad

Yup, some days I can't type. The crimp on would also be an option since I
did (purposely) phrase it as install it. In either case, the pass/fail
criteria would be continuity with no shorts.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

robert casey wrote:

Extra credit if they can do it without melting the
dielectric insulation of the coax. More points if they
can get the solder to actually flow onto the connector body
where the shield solder holes are located (helps if you
use a small file to remove the plating first).
And more points if they remember to put the shell on the
cable in the correct direction before doing any soldering ;-)


I used to tin the braid then use a small tubing cutter to trim the
shield to the right length. I used a drill to remove the plating from
the holes and file all the chrome off between the holes. I tinned the
center conductor and put a drop of liquid RMA flux on the center
conductor and the braid before I put the coax into the plug, then
soldered all four holes and the center pin. I didn't melt the
dielectric, and you couldn't pull the coax out of the plug. I also used
my Sprague TO-6 to put a couple hundred volts across the cable to make
sure there were no loose strands waiting to short out. I had Hams and
CBers tell me my cables were too expensive but they kept coming back to
buy more to replace other bad cables, and they started sending other
people to me, as well.

I had someone bring me a cable he bought somewhere else. He said it
was "Kind of lossy" No wonder. It was a dead short at one end. He
didn't want two new plugs so i walked out the door to my truck and
raised the hood. I touched the center pin of one plug and the sleeve of
the other plug across the battery. Smoke and flames came out of one
plug. A true "Quick & Dirty" test that never fails to find the shorted
plug.

--
Former professional electron wrangler.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida