[Fists] Dumming down

[ATanner283@aol.com]

Hans.....I believe there were more questions on the old tests tho'. I think I 
looked all that up once when engaged in a discussion with an ARRL cat on 
another reflector. He was claiming that the tests are HARDER now, because there is 
more study material. I disagree, and I'm pretty sure there were more 
questions then. Just because the ARRL has turned into a publishing house that dabbles 
in ham radio on the side, doesn't mean that cranking out big thick books like 
"Now You're Talking" can be considered an exam reference. While full of good 
reading for a new ham, most of it is not related to testing per se. Besides, if 
you go to any one of a few hundred web sites and just take the test over and 
over, you will soon be familiar with the questions. My wife is very technology 
and electronically challenged and just doesn't care. She wanted to prove to 
me that getting a general ticket was a cinch. Her and a friend studied Morse 
together and worked the Internet. After about 6 months at hamvention one year 
they took the test and passed with plenty of room to spare. She has had ONE CW 
QSO since then, and two phone QSO's. She is just not interested, but after a 
few years cannot now tell you one question on the test. AND...if these tests are 
so blinkin' hard, how are all these pre teens constantly upgrading to 
extra??? This was almost NEVER heard of before the downhill slide started by 
incentive licensing. Another fine program brought to us by......well, another time. I 
don't remember EVER there being all this gimmee crap. You had one year as a 
Novice up or out. EVERYONE wanted to go UP, because 75 watts XTAL control and no 
phone got old real quick. So most of us started studying IMMEDIATELY. Then 
came lifer novices, no code techs, etc etc, and now this. How can anyone 
POSSIBLY say the requirements are not sinking????      ANYHOW, I think there were 
more questions back then.........
Al/W8FAX 2192    extra....................gettin' heavier


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