Bob Dobbs wrote:


You haven't 'ruined' anything for me.
I just wish the hobby had remained as such
and hadn't become such a cash cow for the equipment dealers.
It tends to cheapen the efforts someone puts into something
when it's later degraded for the sake of a sale.
IOW: If you can get a HAM ticket
without having to develop a skill set or knowledge base,
then having one isn't indicative of anything
and in turn that ticket is worthless.


You just miss Collins and Drake; I understand. Note, both companies
named after persons long deceased. At least they had the good sense not
to name Ten-Tec "Kahn".