[SixClub] New license structuring and BPL

[Dana Rawding]

Since we are on the subject I might was well throw in my 2 cents.  I 
have been a tech for 11 years now.  My interests are VHF weak signal on 
SSB/CW.  Whoa, wait a minute!  Did I say CW?  Yes.  There aren't too 
many guys on 906/1296/2400 FM rag chewing around my area.  If you hear 
someone on it is most likely CW.  Even though I am proficient in CW I 
have ZERO incentive to upgrade to general.  I've listened to HF and 
frankly I'm not sure why I'd want to operate there.  Language, people 
rudely stepping on each other, etc.  I just can't be bothered.  What 
does bother me, is all these 'real hams' who say, 'throw the techs into 
the novice class'.  If they did this then my station would become 
pretty much illegal as I would now be limited to 50W on all the bands I 
operate on.  Hmm, that really doesn't seem fair.  Let's see on HF I can 
work the world on 5W but on 70cm I'm lucky to work the next grid.

<rant> I think that in the event of BPL making HF unusable any general 
or above that wants to operate on VHF+ SSB/CW with more than 50W should 
take a test for privileges.  I really don't want the garbage that is on 
HF polluting the VHF+ spectrum.  The test should include questions 
regarding frequency multiplication circuits and such for building 
transverters.  Throw in a SMT soldering proficiency test and I'll 
welcome you with open arms! </rant>  Whew, that's better...

All the VHF+ weak signal guys I know are helpful and well mannered on 
the air.  When I was building my 1296 transverter I had numerous guys 
invite me over to their houses so they could help me tune it up and get 
it on the air.  I had never met any of them before but they were their 
to welcome me with open arms.  Seems to me the 'real' ham radio spirit 
lives on in these guys and on the higher bands!

Dana  N1OFZ

On Feb 20, 2004, at 1:14 PM, Daniel F. Sullivan Jr. wrote:

> I'm a no- code tech and have been on 6,2,432 ssb for 10 years, but I'd 
> like
> the privilage of using hf.. Learning the code has been a on going bad
> experience for myself. As far as the no codes, I believe they will do 
> and
> have better manners than allot of the higher licensed CBers, that I've 
> heard
> on the "low" bands.
>        As far as the BPL, we do need to ban together and protest it!
>