[Fists] ARRL

[ATanner283@aol.com]

Since you posted on the reflector, I will respond on the reflector.I have 
been a ham since 62. I have built amps and other equipment. I was in electronics 
in the service and spent two tours in S.E. Asia in the late 60's.I have taught 
code classes and theory classes for years. I was in MARS in the early 60's. I 
was a net control for a long time for the FISTS  Century Net. A thankless 
job, and one that no brave soul stepped forward to take after I resigned, finally 
having enuff of the complaining and B.S. I also used to do the SPRINT stuff, 
but it got to be too much. I have been in many traffic nets over the years, 
have been a relay station, and NCS in many. All CW. I can hold my own at 30 WPM 
most days, barring old timers desease.I used to be a VE and have been up until 
the code speed was dropped to 5 WPM which is effectively no code. I refuse to 
be a part of a movement that wants to constantly dumb down a hobby that has 
been around for many many years. I will not test any more idiots who want 
nothing more than be handed a CB ticket for free. Ham radio will not die in 
whatever is left of my lifetime. That's all I care about. Those of you who wish to 
pretend you are doing something by bringing in young folke, or old, by handing 
them a ticket, that's your call. Support your ARRL. I notice tha most 
supporters are life members, which mean they pay no dues, so are effectively no support 
at all. I am only really grateful that I was a ham when it really was 
something, and proud of a ticket that I earned and studied for. These are experiences 
that I and many other older folks will always have, and fortunately NO ONE 
can take away, jealous as you may be.Those of you who want the morse removed, or 
have been hams a few years, or are professional novice or technician ticket 
holders are more than welcome to do what you want. All the ranting about moving 
into the 21st century, becoming modern and so forth, is nothing but an excuse 
to get it for free. Personally I don't care what you think of me, as one 
emailer who called me names, because I have done it. Apparently he had not. So 
enjoy your teaching/memorizing of these oh so hard tests, get new blood in the 
hobby. This is the same crap that was passed around when the codeless tech 
ticket was proposed. Where are all the geniuses that were supposed to surface from 
that?? Gee.....ya REALLY think it's a hard test when 7 year olds become 
extra's. I wonder how many of these there would have been 20 years 
ago????????????????????????????? Al/W8FAX/2192 Extra               HEAVY


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