[CW] Another viewpoint

[KA8VIT]

Bruce,

I have to disagree...

If we reduced the criteria for getting a drivers license,
would we sell more cars ?? ....  probably yes.

But not because there would be a lot of new drivers.... 
but because those new, under-qualified drivers would
be wrecking many more cars.

And you can hear these "wrecks" all over the phone
bands...

With the power levels hams are allowed to use, not knowing
what you are doing can cause a lot of havoc to other users
and radio services.

I too am an ARRL VE.  I have seen many a person pass the
Extra exam, and still not know what splattering was or
how to prevent their signals from doing it, (among other
"basic" knowledge that every radio operator should know
AND understand).

Why ?? Because they studied the questions and not the material.

The material on an Extra test, is material that is two years into
a BSEE degree.  Something you just can't learn in 10-12 hours
a day for two weeks.

If it is too easy obtained, it will be too easily abused.

Next time your are talking with some Extra class licensees, ask
one how to solve a real world problem using a Smith chart or other
similar task, and see what happens.

I do applaud your efforts as I too do alot of Elmering...  but, making it
easier will not help us at all.

Respectfully,

73,

Bill  KA8VIT

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 1/21/2004 at 4:54 AM Bruce Shaw wrote:

>I belong to this list because I enjoy cw and want to see others do the
>same.
>I also support the ARRL in their recent proposal.  Why?
>1.  I first got interested in amateur radio at age 8 or 9.  I got my first
>license 40 years later because my perception of the test process was that
>it
>was too difficult.  (I had no one to elmer me at the time.)
>2.  Four months after passing my tech exam I passed the 5 wpm cw test to
>get
>my tech plus.  I found out that I was most attracted to cw even though it
>is
>a struggle for me.  After passing my general class theory test I failed 13
>wpm twice!  Were it not for restructuring I would never have been a
general
>class.
>3.  I passed my extra class exam after studying the study guides for about
>10-12 hrs a day for 2 weeks.
>4.  I am active in the local amateur radio scene.  I have served as
>president of our local club, taught several tech classes and am an ARRL
>sponsored VE.  These platforms have all given me the opportunity to
promote
>CW (even though I still only can do about 15 wpm on a good day).
>5.  If I still had to go take a test a the FCC office etc as in the past,
I
>would probably not be a ham and would not have the opportunity to promote
>CW.
>6. My final point.  Making entry into ham radio reasonable will sell more
>radios.  If the major radio mfrs sell more radios they will be in a
>stronger
>position, along with the ARRL to protect the existing spectrum.  As to
>modes, phone will most likely always be more visible.  It needs to be to
>feed the public's perception of amateur radio as an emergency service and
>hence deserving of the bands.  With no spectrum, CW ops will have no place
>to operate either.  I believe we would do ourselves well, not to criticize
>the ARRL, but to say we will support whatever decisions the board needs to
>make to preserve amateur radio and here's what we want in exchange for the
>support.
>
>72/73
>Bruce Shaw
>AG4NY
>Snow Camp NC
>
>QRP-ARCI # 10242, QRP-L # 2192, FISTS # 6911, Flying Pigs QRP Club # - 89
>
> It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only
the
>pure in heart want to.
>                                    ... C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)
>
>'He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.'
>Jim Elliot, martyred missionary
>
>_______________________________________________
>CW mailing list
>CW@mailman.qth.net
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw


Bill Chaikin, KA8VIT
ka8vit@ix.netcom.com
www.qsl.net/ka8vit
www.leara.org