[SixClub] new general ticket.

Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:27:22 -0500

I have spent a lot of time reading the ARRL position and thinking through my
own situation as a no code Technician who is about to take the General Class
Test.

I have taken the code test and failed and have laboriously tried to prepare
myself for the code exam, I am apparently one of the folks who just does not
seem to have the ability to "hear the music" of CW.  I would very much like
to pass the code test but at this time after about 2 years of trying and
preparation it does not seem to be attainable and I have spoken to many
others.

No doubt CW is important to the amatuer world but active, and skilled
amatuers with attainable goals are far more important.  I have met many
former technicians in the last two years who were frustrated with
"repeaterland" and who have walked away from the ham world, not out of lack
interest but because they cannot do what is considered amatuer radio, HF
Long Distance real world, world wide communications.  CW is a barrier that
is very hard for some of us jump.  not because of IQ or willing ness, some
of us are born musicians and mathematicians others of us come into this
world with a shovel and pick axe waiting for us.....now here is the point,
BPL and bandwith decimation by industry is he issue.   More members and more
use of the bands is at least one of the tools to fight that war..  I would
be happy to take the General test with out code and fight my battle with CW
on my way to advance/extra....But BPL is a real problem, incursion by the
cellular and cable industry is a true monster.  We need more members who can
in turn pull their buddies into the amatuer world where they might just get
the chance to talk to someone from far, far away. CB'ers are not a threat,
if theuy have the time and desire to take the test and will play by the
rules maybe they might really get something good out of amatuer radio, if
not, then they will have to deal with the enforcement side of the FCC I
hope.

CLark B. Manor
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David-Hook" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:55 AM
Subject: RE: [SixClub] new general ticket.

> I was actually thinking about that last night.By giving the "Novice" more
hf
> priviledges,  Nets may move towards the new "Novice" frequencies so that
the
> newbie can get more involved with a lower class license,which is great,but
> this may create a lack of incentive to upgrade. The Novice now would be
able
> to ragchew with club members and other hams on 2 meters and hf, and may
not
> want or need more than that. However if the license classes stay the way
> they are now, we will continue to have more inactive hams as 10 meter
phone
> is not as popular as 17-80 or even 2 meters unless the sunspot cycle is at
> its peak.2 meters and 440 might not be a bad deal for new licensees, but
> maybe the Novice should have an expiration date, for instance if no
upgrade
> occurs within 2 years, the license expires.Maybe this will motivate clubs
to
> once again take more responsibility for Elmering the newbies and
motivating
> them to upgrade.Its a tough call.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David A. Pechon Sr. [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 4:39 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: RE: [SixClub] new general ticket.
>
>
> People I hear what all yall are saying about this change, but this is not
> really where you
> need to write about it. You need to write to the ARRL (who is looking for
> more people to join
> them and pay dues) and the FCC who back the late 60's and early 70's drop
> licenses from 10m (CB).
> I can understand to a point about what they like to do and give the newbie
a
> little more freedom, but
> not all the HF bands. Maybe give the Tech 10meters and up. this would give
> them some HF band but in
> order to get into the rest of the HF bands they must know allot more then
> just what is learn in the tech
> license exam (or should I say what they remember to pass the test, my
first
> test you didn't have a book
> with all the questions and answers in it). I feel that we must work for
what
> we want and just giving it
> will not make it better for all. But again we don't make the rules our
great
> FCC make the rules and if
> they can make a buck off it they will do it.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of David-Hook
> Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 3:21 PM
> To: '[email protected]'
> Subject: RE: [SixClub] new general ticket.
>
>
> I don't think it will get thaaaaat bad folks.you still have to know more
> than just how to flip a switch :)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 1:20 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [SixClub] new general ticket.
>
>
> Randy, I see your point, and to a certain extent I would agree that the
> tests have been dumbed down a lot but (as the UK realised ) falling
numbers
> of hams put the available bands at risk! Its not my intention to get into
> the code/no code debate but we definately need more hams and I think that
> the only way to achieve that is to make the entry point easier!
> David
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Randy Tipton" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 1:06 PM
> Subject: RE: [SixClub] new general ticket.
>
>
> > Before too long you will be able to buy your ticket at WalMarts :))
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: [email protected]
> > [mailto:[email protected]]
> > > On Behalf Of Clark B. Manor
> > > Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 9:46 AM
> > > To: [email protected]
> > > Subject: Re: [SixClub] new general ticket.
> > >
> > > My understanding was that the ARRL proposal was that all Techs will
> > become
> > > General if I understand it correctly and that the only  code
> > requirments
> > > will be for Advanced/Extra
> > >
> > > KG4JZU
> > > Clark Manor
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Dennis Kaylor" <[email protected]>
> > > To: <[email protected]>
> > > Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 7:57 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [SixClub] new general ticket.
> > >
> > >
> > > > i think you will find the ARRL will let Techs with the 5 WPM
> > grandfather
> > > > to general not the NoCode Techs
> > > >
> > > >
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