[KYHAM] Fwd: [Fists] Let's Face It!!

[Anthony W. DePrato]

Rich makes for interesting reading.. no wonder the arrl lost  4000 members 
last year along
Tony


>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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