[QCWA] Gordon West on Licensing

Fri Jul 29 20:11:07 EDT 2005

Enough complaining on how people use or obtain (legally) their license.

1 - If you can make (or supplement) your living from ham radio - great - 
more power to you.

2- As to how you pass - as long as it is done legally don't complain - more 
hams make for a more powerful lobby with the government.
  2a.  Its a Technical Hobby with many facets - rather than shun RC model 
buffs we should embrace them, even learn from them.  One of my "most missed 
mentors", the late W3GU, was an avid RC airplane enthusiast.  I learned 
from him and also turned him into a VHF/UHF weak signal enthusiast.
  2b. It is the responsibility of the Amateur Radio community to Recruit, 
Train and mentor new hams.  My question to all those who complain about 
"Newbies" - What have you done lately to train or mentor new hams.  The 
possibilities are endless.  First Does your local radio club offer classes 
for Tech or higher classes of license.  If so volunteer to help with the 
classes.  as past President of a local    club (and the local QCWA Chapter) 
I can attest to the need for trainers.  If the club (or QCWA Chapter) 
doesn't offer classes then start them.

As to the content of the classes we use the ARRL manual for the class of 
license being taught  and go through each chapter covering all the key 
points - If it is on components, then we show  resistors, caps, inductors 
of various types even cutting open caps and resistors to show what  they 
are and how they are made.  If its antennas and feed lines then show and 
tell with various types of antennas and feed lines is in order.    The 
students are told to review the chapter and the next class begins with a 
review of the exam questions from the question pool.  Then on to the text 
for the next chapter.  This promotes knowledge of theory as well as all 
questions in the exam pool.

As to learning by rote, towards the end of the series of classes we tell 
the students to start going up on qrz.com and start taking the practice 
exams - over and over until they feel they are ready for the test.  Not 
every one grasps all the theory but most pass using a combo of instruction 
and review (repetitive review).

The numbers about 30-50%  persist through the entire series of classes and 
go on to take the exam.  Many feel lost after the first week and don't come 
back both the Tech and General.  The last series of classes we lost the 
entire Tech class and all but 2 in the General class.  So it bees.

3. As to "all the "old guys" at several local clubs bitching about "Them 
damn newbies....How can a guy with an extra class license NOT know how to 
hook up a Henry 2K?" And so forth. Scattered comments about the 
availability of question pools.  "Memorization is not knowledge" etc."
  - The optimal solution is "Elmering" them and  the place is the monthly 
meeting of the local club (or QCWA Chapter) there needs to be a  Ham Radio 
related program covering some aspect of the hobby that teaches members 
newbies and OTs alike the varied facets like how to hook up a station 
(including that Henry 2K).  I have given numerous programs on how to 
correctly install a PL-259 on coax, power supply hookup, antennas and so 
on.  Every club needs a "elmer" coordinator who knows who can answer 
questions about most aspects of the hobby.

For what its worth, after 35 years in the hobby I decided to upgrade to 
"Extra",  Not that I needed it - my interests lie mainly 50 Mhz and up but 
I wanted to be a VE (and pressure from many fellow Hams).  So I took the 20 
WPM code, the Advanced and Extra  theory tests - not perfect (missed 3 on 
Advanced and 1 on the Extra) after using Gordo's excellent manuals and the 
Practice exams for about 2 weeks.  CW wasn't the problem - I could have 
just taken the theory parts years earlier as I had a 2nd class Telegraph 
license but let it lapse over 10 years so had to take it again.

So stop complaining and start "Elmering".  By the way, we here in Orlando 
are ready to welcome Gordo back to our annual "HamCation" any time.  A few 
years back he had a "pack" of young people following him around the hamfest 
as he explained the various aspects of the hobby.  His Forums were well 
attended and feedback from attendees was extremely positive.  His positive 
outlook inspires both prospective hams, newbies and OTs alike.  - Gordo 
thanks for being in Orlando - we'll have you back again - soon.

VRY 73
Bob Cumming
W2BZY
Past President - Orlando Amateur Radio Club and Citrus Chapter #45 - QCWA
QRV 160M-9CM + 3CM
from EL98hr

   At 01:06 PM 7/29/2005, Jeffrey D Angus wrote:
>William M. Pasternak wrote:
>
>>Nothing has changed.  From the dawn of the hobby there have always
>>been those who have made their living by profiting from it.  Its only that
>>some people live under a mistaken belief that -- if its ham radio -- it is
>>wrong to derive income from it.  Tell that to your favorite radio store the
>>next time you go in and see what the salesman has to say!
>
>I wasn't wasn't complaining about Gordon making money. He is after all
>a business. Having worked at LA Electronics, Signal One and Daiwa, I'd
>be hardly one to complain about taking money from other amateurs.
>
>However, there's three ways to prepare for a license exam.
>
>(1) Buy a copy of of a technical book. Either Orr's or the ARRL's
>     "Handbook" and LEARN how this stuff works. They both include
>     sections on regulations and operating practices..
>(2) Have a local Elmer take the time to show how things work and
>     explain the rules and regulations to you.
>(3) Buy a copy of the answer pool and memorize it.
>
>I was pointing out the irony that Gordon has been defiled in the past for
>providing a "rote memorization" method of passing a licensing exam.
>
>Over the past 15 or so years, I've heard all the "old guys" at several
>local clubs bitching about "Them damn newbies....How can a guy with
>an extra class license NOT know how to hook up a Henry 2K?" And
>so forth. Scattered comments about the availability of question pools.
>"Memorization is not knowledge" etc.
>
>Jeff
>wa6fwi
>
>--
>"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
>safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
>"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
>Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom"
>
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