[ARRL-OK] I have heard enough

[arrl-ok@mailman.qth.net]

Okay I am getting on my soap box for a few minutes.

I have read numerous emails on the subject of keeping the CW testing and what 
I have heard really annoys the hell out of me.

There have been comments about how reducing the requirements for licensing is 
"dumbing down" ham radio. Now, I will agree the tests that I took were 
considerably more difficult than they are now, however that is fixable.  

What wereally need to fix is the way we treat our fellow hams. I do not see 
the benefit from the name calling (extra lite) and insinuating that they are 
less a ham than those of us who took the test a few years ago. This all coming 
form hams that are considered leaders in our community and others that have 
been around amateur radio forever and seem to think that their opinion is the 
only right one(you know who you are)

To apply the rational man concept here, If one would like to be considered a 
leader, one should lead by example. Having said that, I think that the whining 
and moaning needs to stop.  If you want ham radio to survive, we need to 
encourage new hams and those who want to be hams. Not belittle them by cutting 
down their achievement, most of whom do not know what the test looked like 25 
years ago.

Our future is listening!  Believe it or not there are others walking and 
driving around that have radios and scanners. Plus just think about what you are 
saying to the sons, daughters and grandchildren of fellow hams. They are in 
background listening to the what you are saying.  Does this bickering increase 
their desire to be hams, I bet not!

Change is hard ladies and gentlemen.  There is no sure fire way to ensure ham 
radios survival.  I am sure that all you accomplish by all this belittling is 
drive potential quality hams away. 

Clay Mayrose, WA6LBU


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