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3) DO NOT PUBLISH the question pools - PERIOD !

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

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.

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!

Morbeius wrote:



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3) DO NOT PUBLISH the question pools - PERIOD !


It used to be that way. Remember the "Dick Bash" books. These came out
when the FCC was still administering Amateur tests. The FCC didn't
release the question pool or the answers. Ham applicants would send the
questions in the remembered from the tests and Bash would publish them.

Andy
WD4KDN





"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only
because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

George Orwell

Sounds just like the system we have here in Australia!
Good luck getting it in the US
Murray vk4aok

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3) DO NOT PUBLISH the question pools - PERIOD !

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.

Murray Kelly vk4aok

"Mike in San Antonio" wrote in message
...
"Nitespark" wrote in message
news:ZvQRb.1003$gl2.693@lakeread05...

It used to be that way. Remember the "Dick Bash" books. These came
out
when the FCC was still administering Amateur tests. The FCC didn't
release the question pool or the answers. Ham applicants would send
the
questions in the remembered from the tests and Bash would publish them.

Andy
WD4KDN


Dick Bash was and still is one of the finest ham radio operators to
ever key a microphone. A true gentlman & a scholar. A pillar
of the ham radio community.

Mike in San Antonio

Surely you jest.

Dick Bash was solely responsible for more unqualified
individuals entering Amateur
Radio than any other person(s), apart from corrupt VEC's
who accept cash in advance for the promise of a passing
grade on an exam.

Perhaps a few good apples, but the bulk of the "Bash
graduates" I've met are the most misplaced non-conforming
people I've run into on the air. True CB'ers.

The brain drain of Amateur Radio was started
by Dick Bash, and unfortunatly, I'm afraid it
might just be too late to correct the problem.

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 -

Hap wrote:

Yes, Dick was and is a fine getleman, a truly dynamic individual.
Any negative comments I've heard about him always come from
people who are envious of his many successes, both in and out
of ham radio. Successful people will always be victim of the
envious sick people who can't stand others to be successful.

Hap

I almost tripped over the Hap-hazard there. Yep, that's why many of us
resent Ken Lay, Martha Stewart, Michael Jackson and their ilk. We're
simply envious of successful people.

Dave K8MN

Morbeius wrote:
"Mike in San Antonio" wrote in message
...

"Nitespark" wrote in message
news:ZvQRb.1003$gl2.693@lakeread05...

It used to be that way. Remember the "Dick Bash" books. These came

out

when the FCC was still administering Amateur tests. The FCC didn't
release the question pool or the answers. Ham applicants would send

the

questions in the remembered from the tests and Bash would publish them.

Andy
WD4KDN


Dick Bash was and still is one of the finest ham radio operators to
ever key a microphone. A true gentlman & a scholar. A pillar
of the ham radio community.

Mike in San Antonio


Surely you jest.

Dick Bash was solely responsible for more unqualified
individuals entering Amateur
Radio than any other person(s), apart from corrupt VEC's
who accept cash in advance for the promise of a passing
grade on an exam.

Perhaps a few good apples, but the bulk of the "Bash
graduates" I've met are the most misplaced non-conforming
people I've run into on the air. True CB'ers.

Did you get that in depth when you QSO'd with these "Bash graduates"?


The brain drain of Amateur Radio was started
by Dick Bash, and unfortunatly, I'm afraid it
might just be too late to correct the problem.

Quick! Get out while you still can!!! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

Radio45 wrote:

"Dave Heil" wrote in message
...

I almost tripped over the Hap-hazard there. Yep, that's why many of us
resent Ken Lay, Martha Stewart, Michael Jackson and their ilk. We're
simply envious of successful people.

Dave K8MN

Quick! The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Cancel your
ARRL membership now! Hope you don't earn a living
writing about celebrities. ROTFLMAO!

R45

That sound you just heard was sarcasm whooshing over your head.

Dave K8MN

Mike,

If BS were to be the qualifying factor for a Tech, everyone in the
newsgroups would likely qualify

73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA



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Jim Hampton wrote:
Mike,

If BS were to be the qualifying factor for a Tech, everyone in the
newsgroups would likely qualify

73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA

Haven't heard from you for a while, Jim!