[Fists] Let's Face It!!

[James Kimball]

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT STAN...

I agree with the many observations and comments, that
the current amateur radio testing procedures have
resulted in the �dumbing-down� of people�s skills and
pride in achieving various levels of licensing.  I
personally do not feel contempt for the new amateur
.... just the testing procedures allowed in their
being licensed.  Some say the previous and present
testing and licensing process are too hard for
some(non-English, elderly, handicapped, �normal�,
etc.).  We all live with our abilities and
limitations.  I don�t feel everyone should be licensed
to drive a car or fly an airplane.  Not everyone can
be licensed to drive a semi truck, become a Certified
Public Accountant, or become qualified to do brain
surgery.  At least, I hope not!  There are minimum
standards and competencies required for many
activities in life.

I admit to upgrading to Extra to simply regain CW
privileges, and then forgetting any theory I did not
find useful or find of interest.  I probably would
have a difficult time passing the current Extra class
�multiple-guess� test....except the code portion.  The
use of code is a daily activity, and I continually
work at improving it.  Theory and regulations are
maintained on a needs basis.  And, honestly, I am not
alone in this phenomenon.

When the VEC testing process began, I initially was in
favor of it.  In fact, I studied and passed the ARRL
test to be a VEC examiner.  What turned me off to the
procedure was the contempt of so many other VE�s had
for code, and who actually disagreed with and eased
the code testing part of the exam.  The last test I
helped facilitate as a VE involved a person taking the
Extra code test who marked down .�s and -�s as they
heard the code sent, and was given unlimited time to
translate the mess to answer the
�multiple-guess�questions!!!  Past practice was the
rationale given for allowing this travesty, contrary
to my objections.

There is much pressure on amateur radio operators to
upgrade our skills, but I believe pressure from radio
manufacturers to sell more radios has mainly been
focused on upgrading the 2 meter CB bunch, with little
or no additional skills.  Generally speaking, being
competent in one area of amateur radio does not
guarantee competence in all areas, even for the Extra
class license holder.  The �hobby� has too many facet.
 As technology moves forward, many are not interested
or willing to keep up.  With no interest or ability,
why is there this pressure to grant more privileges? 
Today, most amateurs have become �appliance
operators�, since we no longer build our own
equipment. The manufacturers and repair shops fill
that need.

My proposal to revamp the amateur radio testing
procedures has met much opposition and anger,
especially from the �Extra lights�.  To keep up our
skills, I would propose a testing procedure somewhat
like pilots are required to do.  That is, retesting
periodically to ensure/guarantee stable and hopefully
increasing competency of the amateur radio community. 
If a person fails their retest at a particular level,
they would drop back to a license level of their
proficiency.  I would also propose an
�Endorsement�process similar to Commercial Licensing
for specific modes of operation.  A test would have to
be passed prior to obtaining the operating privileges
for FM, AM, CW, SSB, PSK31, SSTV, etc.

This would upgrade amateur radio.....but not sell more
radios!!!!!!!!!

------ James C. Kimball, K9JXW 
"WITHOUT CW IT'S JUST CB"
--- Stanley <staniw@abq.com> wrote:
> We can keep "Flapping Our Jaws" all day, every day,
> about the code 
> requirements, etc., but we are all missing the point
> of where
> the real problem lies. We have sat on our rear ends,
> igonoring the real 
> problem, and whining about the code requirements.
> The
> underlying problem is that becoming a Ham is like
> going to Walmart and 
> buying a license off the shelf. The questions and
> answers
> for all the tests are available to anyone just to
> memorize and take the 
> test. There is no requirement to have ANY knowledge
> at
> all, just a good memory. There are NO Schematics to
> draw, no antennas to 
> design by remembering the formulas, there is nothing
> that requires you to REALLY know what in the hell
> you are doing, just a 
> good memory and a note from your mother. I saw an
> article in an e mail (Think it was the ARRL
> newsletter) that a seven or 
> eight year old just became the youngest extra class
> ever.
> WOW!!! That is exciting!! I wonder how many
> schematics and designs that 
> little feller can do?? Would be interesting to know.
> I'm sure Daddy bought him a nice computer to play
> with. But, how much 
> "REA:L" knowledge does that person have if they
> are to build their own radio and have enough "Savvy"
> to fix it? To sum 
> it up and bore you all the death, WE HAVE BECOME A
> DUMB SOCIETY where Big Brother watches over us to
> protect us and tell us 
> what to do. To be Politically Correct, we have
> to make tests easier less we offend some minority
> who the BIG BROTHER 
> designates. Our schools don't even teach us how
> to spell anymore nor do they teach us geography or
> history. There are 
> grown up people that can't even tell you what state
> is east of Texas, or Arizona, etc. So, what do we
> expect from our hobby? 
> The big radio manufacturers have lobbied the FCC
> to ease the requiremenets so they can sell more
> radios because as Ham 
> Tests were harder, less radios were sold. Makes
> sense
> to me. So, in conclusion, I am saying that the trend
> is set and we are 
> shovelling **** against the tide.
> 73's de Stan W5ZF #6183
> QRP ARCI #5582
> DXCC Honor Roll 350/350 all with less than 100 watts
> and wire antennas
> 
> 
> 
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