[Boatanchors] Novice Redux

[Rob Atkinson]

>
> Amateur radio needs to attract the younger demographic and the hobby
> would benefit from having more skilled technical contributors - maybe
> something like this could be a way to get them.   It might also be a
> smart way to strengthen the fences around our spectrum allocations.
>

The problem with this idea is that the kids today don't know squat
about RF and I don't consider writing "apps" for smartphones as more
skilled technical contribution.  In fact, the problem with ham SDR is
almost no operators of those rigs have any idea how they work.  Get in
a QSO with some guy running one and ask him, "how do those rigs
function?  Please take a few minutes and explain to me what's inside
the box and how the circuits function."  I have, and those questions
get completely ignored every single time.   It's a sad development as
I see hams flock to SDR and run black boxes and linears with the % of
hams who know at least a block diagram from mic. or key to antenna
dwindle and lose half the fun of the hobby as repair and modification
and building cease.

The spectrum allocation argument makes sense for VHF and up but I'm
sure ARRL and its advertisers want more customers too.  Well, I have
long stated that the Technician as an entry level ticket was a mistake
but what I thought was needed was a  beginner license with HF
privileges that would foster the construction of a simple CW
transmitter from a kit or homebrew.  Anyway, we can all comment to
ARRL and see what happens, and if there is an eventual FCC NPRM, we
can comment to FCC on that too.

73

Rob
K5UJ