[Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy

[Jim Brannigan]

Some years ago my oldest daughter gave me a Christmas present, she got a Ham 
license.(no code tech)
I was thrilled of course......
In the afterglow, she told me that she thought that getting an amateur 
license was going to be hard, but after  two classes at the college ARC 
(Columbia) she passed the exam......OUCH!!!!



You know, I also got my license in the "good old days" of taking the test 
(including 20 WPM CW). I took the test before an FCC examiner who instilled 
terror in the hearts of all willing to participate in the exam process.

I must admit that I share the disappointment that many have expressed about 
the so-called "dumbing down" of the process. At the same time.....I must 
state that it is not the fault of those new hams, or those recently 
upgrading, that the licensing requirements have changed!!! It is certainly 
the last thing that I would want to do to discourage anyone who is newly 
licensed or newly acquiring a higher class license. I think we need to move 
on and welcome new entrants and try to encourage them as well as educate 
them by setting a good example through our operation and our willingness to 
help them get started or move into new aspects amateur radio. Our beloved 
hobby is going to waste away if we do not encourage more young people and 
newcomers to join in the fun. If not true already, soon the number of 
oldtimers becoming SKs will exceed the number of new entrants.

73, Jack, W9GT
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