On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 00:02:39 -0400, Bob Brock
wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 03:39:14 GMT, erniegalts
wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 03:03:05 GMT, "mad amoeba" wrote:

Not difficult to get an amateur license these days now that the code
requirement has been wiped. Anyone who knows a bit about radio should
be able to study the regs and pass an exam allowing VHF operation on 2
metres, and the "general class" [ or "full call" ] exam is not that
much harder.

General Class license still requires a Morse Code test. Morse has not
been "wiped." It has however, been lowered for the two higher class
licenses from 13 and 20 wpm to 5 wpm for both licenses. Morse is not
required for the Technician license which give full priviliges on
VHF/UHF.

So, once again ernie, you are wrong.

http://www.arrl.org/pio/hamlic.html

Sorry, Brock, it is you that are wrong, and for the second time in a
matter of weeks. First time was when you accused me of being unable
to calculate the resonant length of a 1/4 wave vertical.

A quick advanced search on the net would have shown you that have
mentioned this in several posts, see following excerpt from one of the
early ones.

=============================
From: "Wombat"
Subject: Handheld Ham Radio Antenna(e) Questions
Date: 1999/03/01
Message-ID:

[snip]

1== Not familiar with these particular transceivers, the formula for
any full-length quarter wave whip working against a ground plane is
[in metric measurements]
Length in meters = 75 divided by operating frequency

The 2 metre band extends from 144 to 148 MHz. So if were cutting an
antenna for center of this band at 146 MHz would be 75 / 146 =
0.513698630137. So a quarter-wave vertical would be roughly .513
metres long, or 513 mm. (millimeters) or 20.2244 inches.

75/ 440 = 170.455 mm or 6.71081inches.

2== I assume you will be getting an amateur license before operate
on these frequencies, as governments tend to take a dim view of
unlicensed operation, and amateurs will go to considerable lengths to
catch unlicensed operators.

3== The above formula gives the theoretical lengths for a resonant
1/4 wave working against a ground plane. Some hand transceivers use
the unit itself or the operators hand to act as a "ground plane" A
"rubber ducky" antenna is often just a resonant 1/4 wave wound into a
shorter coil, and does restrict range.
================================

Actually, have done a fair bit of experimentation with antennas.
Corner reflectors, trough reflectors, yagis, arrays, non-resonant long
wires, rhombics, etc.

You second mistake was the belief that code was still a requirement,
although the International Telecommunications Union end this almost a
month ago.

Were you involved in previous debates on need for current control on
LEDs, the differences between an a electrochemical cell and a battery
made up from same? Don't remember offhand, but you seem very anxious
to catch me in a mistake. Why is this, Brock?

erniegalts