Tom,
I have to disagree a bit. I'm not in favor of dumbing down the hobby. But, I
think a lot of hams look askance when they refer to some of the newcomers to the
hobby.
I hate to think of the operating skills I have now, whatever they are, compared
to what I had as a Novice. Had it not been for a couple of elmers, I don't
think they would have improved as much.
I think if we are open to taking a new ham under our wing, so to speak, we can
elevate their skills and preserve the ham radio tradition. But, if we refuse to
accept them, and we refuse to accept constructive change, the hobby will surely
die. I love CW, it's still probably my favorite mode, but it is much less
popular than it used to be. In a few years, it will be a novelty. Kind of like
the telegraphers of old.
Steve, K8SP
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 11:21 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: [WestMichiganHams] FCC Eliminates Morse Code Requirement
(Finally!!)
If ham radio becomes a part of the "norm" how is it any different from cb radio?
If we're making it a part of the "norm" as a giveaway or some such why bother
with the licensing requirements at all? Personally I'm proud of the fact that I
earned my extra license code and all but if it was just out there for anyone to
grab it would become pretty meaningless like these buy-it-and-go degrees on the
internet. People just want it for no work and that's where its headed.
Advocating a giveaway is one thing but advocating that amateur radio should
become the "norm" is a slap in the fact to all amateirs. Its a sad day when
people with more earned knowledge than others are seen as being on a "high
horse".
Tom
Tom Brennan KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP
web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
On Sun, 17 Dec 2006, Colin McDonald wrote:
> Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2006 09:02:53 -0700
> From: Colin McDonald <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: For blind ham radio operators <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Fw: [WestMichiganHams] FCC Eliminates Morse Code Requirement
> (Finally!!)
>
> hold on, are ham operators supposed to be some closed cult? or click that
> only special privallaged persons can hope to be apart of?
> Why can it not become a part of the norm instead of an odity?
> Isn't that the whole idea behind amateur radio is to allow it to be
> availible to anyone taking an interest at an amateur level?
> I think there are way too many professional amateurs on HF who take the
> whole thing way to seriously, and who also get bent out of shape when they
> happen to find someone not up to their high horsed standards.
> That is precisely the kind of operators that keep beginners away, or scare
> them away quickly.
> Perhaps amateur radio on HF is very much similar to an NFB type of
> organization in its ideals.
> Maybe we can begin to change that by allowing more normal everyday people on
> there.
> 73
> Colin, CFA6BKX
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 8:53 AM
> Subject: Re: Fw: [WestMichiganHams] FCC Eliminates Morse Code Requirement
> (Finally!!)
>
>
> > Howard, I agree. Hams used to be set apart from other folks and with the
> > dumbing down of requirements there is less and less difference between a
> ham and
> > anyone else. The tech test is pretty simple and the general isn't much
> harder
> > in terms of accademics.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> >
> > Tom Brennan KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP
> > web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
>
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