"Bill Sohl" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
. ..

"KØHB" wrote in message
k.net...

"Dee Flint" wrote

One of the elements is self training and technical knowlegde. You
encourage that by using increased privileges (spectrum and power) to
get people to study and take
additional tests.

If it were working, it would be evident on the air. But I'll encourage
you to try a little practical experiment to see if you can detect the
results in the real world.

You'll need the following materials for the experiment:

1. A reasonable sensitive receiver, hooked to a working antenna.
2. A blindfold.
3. A set of earphones.
4. No extreme hearing impairments.
5. A comfortable chair.

Seat your self at the receiver, and tune it to the TOP of a popular band
with good propagation to the USA, probably 40 or 75 meters. Don the
earphones and plug them in. Set the receiver RF gain full open and the
AF gain at a comfortable level.

Now place your blindfold over your eyes.

Slowly tune the receiver down the band. If incentive licensing is
working, when you cross over the General/Advanced boundary and again
when you cross the Advanced/Extra boundary, you should detect a
noticeable increase in the "training and technical knowlege" of the
operators because of better/cleaner signals, more sophisticated
technical discussions, and other evidence of better training and
technical knowlege. If your ear does NOT detect this sort of evidence
as you tune across those boundaries, then you can conclude (as I have)
that incentive licensing is an abject failure.

73, de Hans, K0HB

As Jim has already so ably answered, you cannot tell that sort of thing
at all. There is no way to tell whether that signal is better/cleaner
since propagation variables can impact signal quality too. There is no
way to tell if a better signal is due to better knowledge or that the
particular ham chooses to have his equipment maintained by a third party.
I would expect less sophisticated discussions in the Advanced/Extra
portions simply because the Generals may be more apt to be seeking
knowledge where the Extras may be inclined to relax.

I would expect better OPERATING skills, a higher quality of language
behavior and perhaps more technical discussions...but forget even the
technical discussions....the behavior and operating skill differences
are just not there.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK


Why would you expect a higher quality of language behavior? All amateurs
are required to know and adhere to the same rules regardless of license.
Language behavior is covered on the Technician test.

People with a talent for code will tend to be better than the typical
operator regardless of license. Some people, like myself, may choke during
a CW ragchew regardless of our CW skill or license level. People who
regularly DX will be able to finesse their way into getting the DX station
at low power and people who do not regularly DX will have a much rougher
time, again regardless of class.

What everyone overlooks is that the test is merely the basic required book
knowledge expected for each level. Experience is not tested for. The
person who goes straight to Extra will have no more experience and no more
operating skills than anyone else. However, he/she starts with more book
knowledge as a platform to build on. But anyone can choose to gain the same
knowledge. They do not have to wait until they are studying for a new
license.

Plus every amateur is free to pursue improving their skills. The license is
a starting point not a stopping point.

Actually the place that I see the difference in operating skills is on the
VHF bands in the VHF contests. When I review my contacts in those contests,
the large majority of them are Extra class operators. They seem to be the
ones to have the skill necessary to put together and operate a station
suitable to make long distance VHF contacts and the skill to do so.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE