[AMRadio] Comment to a comment

[Robert A. Poff WB3AWJ]

The no-code is only one aspect contributing to the deterioration of the hobby. 

Although I'm not going to argue that point. 



To me the publication of the test questions, and answers was much more problematic. 

It turned the studying phase from learning to pure memorization. 

I routinely hear Extras who know not their head from a hole in the ground. 



The one that comes into mind I heard on a local (Pennsylvania) repeater. He had a "cool" W9 call. 

When the guy he was working asked how long ago he lived in the midwest, the response was : 

"Never. I just thought this was a cool callsign. But apparently there's some kind of callsign zones or something.....".  


How did he get a license? 



<OLD BUZZARD MODE> 

When I finally passed my Extra in 1978 (at age 19), it was illegal to reveal the questions on any of the tests. 

You HAD to know something. I knew enough to get by. But what I learned then has served me well, allowing 

me to make a living at this stuff ever since. Learning something new every day. 

</OLD BUZZARD MODE> 


And then there's the lack of technical ability today.... 






Robert A. Poff 
Loganville, PA. 

"Lieutenant, target the offending power boat and launch photon torpedoes"