[CW] QRM and Technician License Expansion

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

Jim, WB8SIW posted this on the SKCC list. I'm reposting it here as I
thought it was very informative and speaks of uninformed radio amateurs who
can't copy CW.

QTC

The problem that we will likely experience is one of perception and
experience. A new ham who is properly mentored and integrated into the
social fabric of the hobby tends to see other operators on the bands as
those to be accommodated. Those who are not integrated into the social
fabric of the hobby via local clubs and organizations may move directly
into the HF spectrum without understanding the expectations of their peers.
The latter may very well see other "signals" or users as competing for a
limited resource (bandwidth) with whom one is in competition, rather than
their fellows to be accommodated. The local mentoring process is essential
to transmitting concepts such as operating courtesy, a commonality of
procedures and certain expectations to the new operator.

Those of us who have been licensed for four or five decades tend to take
our intuitive knowledge of the operating environment for granted. Our
behaviors are automatic. Certain assumptions are perceived as second
nature, such as the willingness to accommodate existing users, contests,
nets, band plans and other gentlemen's agreements. Yet, this knowledge
didn't come about "automatically," it was transmitted, over time, to us by
experienced radio amateurs. I recall as a novice getting lots of advice
from experienced hams. I'd ask questions for hours, call radio club members
on the phone, and accept gentle critiques of my operating procedures.

Furthermore, improper HF operation can be far more disruptive than improper
VHF/UHF operation, which has a limited range. Disruptive activity (even if
unintentional) on 40-meters for example, may impact users across a
continent. Disruptive activity on 20-meters may impact users Worldwide.
Local mentoring and limited access are both excellent ways to slowly
integrate a new ham into the hobby and transmit the expectations and
normative social behavior of one's peers. This is why the novice license
concept worked so well.

Additionally, there are now many new hams who perceive Amateur Radio as an
infrastructure to access, with the cost for access being that of obtaining
the license. They become hams not because of an interest in the art and
science of radio communications, but as a means to an end. Perhaps it's
supporting an interest in "prepping," or because they are active in a
volunteer organization that wants infrastructure. Many new hams never join
a local club. One occasionally encounters community service volunteers who
expect access to the repeater networks and other infrastructure provided by
a local club, but they refuse to join the club that pays for the
infrastructure and contributes the time, personnel and maintenance to keep
it operating. In other words, the infrastructure is just taken for granted.

This proposal is defective because it does NOT identify the etiology of the
problem. Rather, it ASSUMES that technicians are not getting involved in
ham radio because lack privileges. I believe this is a simplistic approach.
"For every complex problem, there's a simple and appealing solution that's
wrong." We should first engage in self-examination as a fraternity,
identify the root cause of the lack of new ham retention, and then develop
a nuanced solution.

Finally, I am *not* opposed to providing some additional privileges to
Technicians on the ham bands. However, we should first develop a real plan
to get hams involved and active at the community level. Furthermore, any
additional privileges should be rather limited to prevent potential
disruption to other users of a finite resource. We need to integrate people
into the hobby, not just open the door and provide access.

73,

JW (WB8SIW)
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