Has Ham Radio become too easy?

[WB4CS]

Well, I qualified for QCWA membership a couple years ago, in two years, I will have been a licensed active ham for 30 years of my 38 year old life, so here's my take:

I do see a definite "dumbing down" of some new licensees, but I don't attribute this to the exams- I think it's more indicative of the "internet age" where a Google search and quick gratification are the norm. In the past, you had to study book(s), or get with others and take a class- today we have "ham crams- get your license in a day" sessions, where one day an 8-hour marathon class, exam the next. It's just simple NOT possible for the average person to retain the vast amount of information in such a short amount of time.

The result are many new folks who make some real blunders and "lid like" behavior. Recently, a new ham was heard on a local repeater "handing out" a second radio to his friend, allowing his "friend" to transmit "third party traffic" from another location. I kindly informed him he should check the rules, that such third party traffic is pretty cut and dry- you are either at the control point or you aren't- he seemed kind of taken back. I almost wanted to ask "wasn't that question on your test?" Furthermore, this same operator was heard overkeying another ham making comments- again he was called on his behavior- and became very upset about being corrected (politely) by a fellow ham on air. I tried to explain the amateur radio service is self-policing to a degree, that we look out for each other, and that we are here to help and guide. But it is clear that this person, like many I have heard, clearly do NOT have a solid foundation for what the very basis and purpose of amateur radio is.

What we must do is make it a point to guide these many new folks to better understand the rules, the community, and the spirit that is amateur radio. It's easier said than done, but in this modern age of one-click gratification, it's a challenge for us who have "been around the block" not to get frustrated and drive away new hams who DO have a desire to learn, and improve their skills and abilities.

^^THIS, I agree with this a 1000 times over. And I agree with most of the replies here.

Lots of great replies on this topic, thank you everyone.

I agree that a big part of the problem is the currenty "I want it now" mentality in our society. I also agree that to some degree we have made it easier to pass the tests. Making it easier makes it more attractive to younger and new hams, but the price we pay is less knowledgable hams. Maybe 30 years ago it was about quality of people on the air, today the hobby has turned into quantity of hams. Is that bad? Maybe, maybe not. If we don't use the spectrum we have we will lose it, and to use it we need people on the air.

Please, please, for the love of radio, please don't turn this into yet another code vs no-code thread. We've all been there, we've all done that. However, I will say that I agree with a previous comment that code should have been kept as a requirement for Extra Class. Why? As someone else pointed out, one could go from not even knowing what ham radio is all the way to Extra class in a matter of days and still have no idea what ham radio is. Maybe it's just the "20 WPM, upgraded through 5 license classes" old ham in me, but I've always felt like upgrading to the next license class was an accomplishment and I felt like I earned it through hard work.

 

[maplestar]

Maybe it's just the "20 WPM, upgraded through 5 license classes" old ham in me, but I've always felt like upgrading to the next license class was an accomplishment and I felt like I earned it through hard work.

I'm not sure where I fall on the code, no-code question...except that I'm glad there are no-code levels available, because I don't think I could have learned enough to past the test AND learned enough code to pass at the same time. I definitely want to learn code...but I don't think I could have learned both at the same time. But I agree that there should be differences between the levels. I'm just not sure whether code should be how those are found.

I opted not to try the General test when I passed my Tech. I hadn't studied and I'd seen enough worry about people learning what they need to pass the test instead of what they need to know...Even though I have that piece of paper from the FCC, I don't feel confident I know the material that the Tech test covered. I want to do some review of that and then some studying for the General. And, I wonder if some sort of short time limit should be part of the process. Maybe you can't try your General until you've been a Tech for three months, and you can't try your Extra until you've been General for six months or a year. You can't guarantee that people will take advantage of their licenses to gain experience, but you can make it more likely.

I also think...some of this is more easy to learn WHILE doing than to learn from a book. *shrug*

But for now, I have my dualband HT and I'm sorting out how much it can do, and deciding how much money to spend on making my Tech license more useful and how much to prepare for when I pass my General. And trying to make sure I get on the air as a Tech and get that experience, so I'll be a better General operator than if I'd gone straight from unlicensed to General.

 

[elk2370bruce]

What we must do is make it a point to guide these many new folks to better understand the rules, the community, and the spirit that is amateur radio. It's easier said than done, but in this modern age of one-click gratification, it's a challenge for us who have "been around the block" not to get frustrated and drive away new hams who DO have a desire to learn, and improve their skills and abilities.

You are right on target. We learmed and practiced our new skills under the guidance of an Elmer. Unfortunately, in today's world, its far too easy to sit back, do the Whine and Chees act about "them damned newbie no-coders" infesting our beloved spectrum then get off their kiesters and help them improve their skills, explore new aspects of the hobby, and make a real contribution to the future of amateur radio. The usual and predictabler denegrating words and pronouncements of the QRZed Klan mentality and their minions offer nothing but self-serving reminders of what the amateur radio brotherhood should not be - but can become without experrenced guidance and directions. Respect is never given lightly and must be earned. Negative ole poops (hey, I resemble that remark) are a total turnoff

 

[KD8TZC]

You are right on target. We learmed and practiced our new skills under the guidance of an Elmer. Unfortunately, in today's world, its far too easy to sit back, do the Whine and Chees act about "them damned newbie no-coders" infesting our beloved spectrum then get off their kiesters and help them improve their skills, explore new aspects of the hobby, and make a real contribution to the future of amateur radio. The usual and predictabler denegrating words and pronouncements of the QRZed Klan mentality and their minions offer nothing but self-serving reminders of what the amateur radio brotherhood should not be - but can become without experrenced guidance and directions. Respect is never given lightly and must be earned. Negative ole poops (hey, I resemble that remark) are a total turnoff

Great comments here today on this subject! I can't agree with you more Bruce. As a new guy, I learned what I needed to know to get on the air legally. I listed for sometime before I was granted my license so I felt I had a good understanding of what and how I was to act on the air besides what the law states. But it is the guy who has been around for some time who has helped me understand things that I just didn't know. The scary part is, I don't know what I don't know.

Just yesterday, someone Elmered me on a better way to state my call sign since I have a Z and C right next to each other. I was delighted to get that advice as it makes me a better HAM in the long run.

So for all those HAM's out there who help out the new guys like me... I thank you as you are helping me to become a better HAM and someday I will be able to help someone and to pay it forward.

73's

 

[safetyobc]

Here is my take as an outsider looking in. I'm not a Ham. But wouldn't mind getting my license. I don't think it is easy enough to get your license. They should offer (at a minimum) the tech class license as an online test (or course if need be). Colleges offer senior level courses online. Maybe a local licensed Ham could verify you as being a real person or something to that nature? I read that new Ham Licenses have declined for several years, this would allow people to more easily get their "beginner's" license and may attract new people. The closest test to me for the next few months is at least an hours drive. That isn't very convenient to me. There may be rules or laws that prevent this, that I am unaware of. Just my $0.02.

 

[WB4CS]

Here is my take as an outsider looking in. I'm not a Ham. But wouldn't mind getting my license. I don't think it is easy enough to get your license. They should offer (at a minimum) the tech class license as an online test (or course if need be). Colleges offer senior level courses online. Maybe a local licensed Ham could verify you as being a real person or something to that nature? I read that new Ham Licenses have declined for several years, this would allow people to more easily get their "beginner's" license and may attract new people. The closest test to me for the next few months is at least an hours drive. That isn't very convenient to me. There may be rules or laws that prevent this, that I am unaware of. Just my $0.02.

Safetyobc,
Thank you for your comment! I welcome the input of non-hams that have interest in the hobby.

I agree that depending on where someone lives, it can be difficult to get to a test session. One recommendation would be, see if you can find a local ham radio club in your area. Here in North Alabama, almost every county has an Amateur Radio Club. The local club might have a few VE's that can administer a testing session locally.

The idea of online testing is a good idea in theory, but there's no accountability. What's to say someone wouldn't take the test open-book style? If anyone can get a license by taking an open book test, the quality of the Amateur Service would decline drastically... think CB radio. Take GMRS for example, now that anyone can go into a big box store and buy a pair of hybrid FRS/GMRS radios the GMRS band has turned into a free-for-all. Sure, the pack of radios has the application inside for your GMRS license, but it ends up in the trash can with the owner’s manual. This is something we do not want to happen to Amateur Radio.

You are correct, the number of new hams has been declining in recent years. I don't think it's because the test is too hard, because people have been taking tests to get their license for decades. It comes down to a lack of interest due to new technology. 20 years ago the idea of talking to someone on the other side of the world via radio was facinating. Today, any kid with a laptop can do that. We have to figure out new ways of making the hobby more interesting and competitive with laptops, smart phones, and the internet.

I'm curious; you said that you feel it's too hard to get licensed. Have you read any of the license study manuals? If you have, I would be interested to know what parts of the test you feel are too difficult for someone new to the hobby.

 

[safetyobc]

Sorry. I wasn't meaning that the tests are hard. I've read over some of the material and actually taken some sample tests. I could probably study for a day or two and easily pass the tech test. But I have been interested in radio for several years too.

I was talking about the testing process itself. Having to find a test site, travel to the site, etc.

As far as accountability on online testing.... My wife is a full time college student. Last semester she took senior level course online. The tests were timed which meant even if she was trying to look up the answers she wouldn't have time to finish the test. She had to know the material to be able to pass the test on time.

Thank you for your reply.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rapidcharger]

I'm kind of surprised that walmart does not have a booth or kiosk where you can pay an everyday low price to take a 1 hr ham cram and walk away with a license that very same day, all whilst having your tires rotated and your prescriptions filled.

 

[dmaria]

I'm kind of surprised that walmart does not have a booth or kiosk where you can pay an everyday low price to take a 1 hr ham cram and walk away with a license that very same day, all whilst having your tires rotated and your prescriptions filled.

Got mine at the drive-up window.

 

[KD8TZC]

As far as accountability on online testing.... My wife is a full time college student. Last semester she took senior level course online. The tests were timed which meant even if she was trying to look up the answers she wouldn't have time to finish the test. She had to know the material to be able to pass the test on time.

Thank you for your reply.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very good comment, but did your wife have access to the test bank and all the answers? I think that is the major difference here. Even if the test were timed, with only a few hundred questions in the test bank that is available to anyone, it wouldn't be hard to look up the correct answer.

73's

 

[TheSpaceMan]

These current hams tests are absolutely not the medical boards or the Bar exam! Anyone with even average intelligence can pass them. The proof of this can easily be found just by listening to the Los Angeles repeaters which send their live audio feeds over the internet, right on this website!

 

[KC4RAF]

Most posts I agree with.

I started in the electronics field when I was about 8 yrs old. My grandfather had a tv that needed repaired and took it to a man in a wheelchair that had his workshop at home; he also had his ham radio gear in the shop. I was thrilled to be in his shop and listen and he gave me the boost. Later while in my teens I meet a blind lady that was a ham. And I met many hams during those years, and NONE of them were dummies about the rules or how radios worked. Now I see many that just don't know what an oscillator (spelling I know) is, or how to find the feet or meters of wave lengths, or what a bias resistor is used for! That's stuff you had to know way back when. As was posted earlier, the internet has made dummies in some fields, and one of those fields is Amateur Radio sections...
One thing, back then many hams built their own equipment, now it's the rich who controls the ham radio waves. They just buy the biggest and baddest radio out there. Sign of the times I guess.

 

[elk2370bruce]

I'm kind of surprised that walmart does not have a booth or kiosk where you can pay an everyday low price to take a 1 hr ham cram and walk away with a license that very same day, all whilst having your tires rotated and your prescriptions filled.

Why go to Wallyworld? Many hyam clubs offer a free license prep course for tech, geneal, and extra tests. You can also take the tests for the normal and minimal costs (around $ 15) with the VE team. Once you passs, they take care of the paperwork wiith the FCC.

 

[rapidcharger]

Why go to Wallyworld? Many hyam clubs offer a free license prep course for tech, geneal, and extra tests. You can also take the tests for the normal and minimal costs (around $ 15) with the VE team. Once you passs, they take care of the paperwork wiith the FCC.

Walmart would only charge $8.88. That's why. And convenient. You can stock up on doritos and macaroni and cheese and delicious horsemeat while you're there. You can also get your eyes checked and your oil changed and at select stores, visit the minite-clinic and have a proctology exam so as soon as you get your license you can get on the air and let everyone know the results.

Try doing that at your local ham club.

Save money.. live better.

 

[nd5y]

Walmart would only charge $8.88.

That's expensive compared to Cracker Jack and cereal boxes where some hams have allegedly obtained their licenses.

 

[k9rzz]

They can dumb it down as much as they want. If you can't idle along at 25mph on 40cw ... you won't be working me!

(and nope, sorry, you won't find me on the local 2m FM repeater either

)

 

[n9mxq]

The other part of this whole topic that I personally steer clear of is the "I'm new, which radio should I get?" posts..

Every time I see one I really want to chime in, but in keeping with my "Thumper Rule" I keep my fingers off the keys and keep scrolling.

 

[bill4long]

Has Ham Radio become too easy?

I don't think so. It was more difficult when I passed my Tech, General, and Advanced in the early 80s. (Recently passed Extra, and it was about the same difficulty as the Advanced was in the early 80s.) Most active hams get motivated by the force of peer pressure to better their knowledge of the hobby over time.

The main problem I see facing Ham Radio today is vendors at the flea markets who sell cheap Baofengs to unlicensed people who commence to get on repeaters and jam. IMO, this should be illegal, and carry stiff penalties.

 

[WB4CS]

The other part of this whole topic that I personally steer clear of is the "I'm new, which radio should I get?" posts..

Every time I see one I really want to chime in, but in keeping with my "Thumper Rule" I keep my fingers off the keys and keep scrolling.

I try to keep out of those topics as well. I've had several new hams ask me what radio they should get, and I tell them it's like the age old arguement of Chevy vs Ford, PC vs Mac, VHS vs Beta, etc. The radio that I like may or may not be the radio you like.

 

[KD8TZC]

I don't think so. It was more difficult when I passed my Tech, General, and Advanced in the early 80s. (Recently passed Extra, and it was about the same difficulty as the Advanced was in the early 80s.) Most active hams get motivated by the force of peer pressure to better their knowledge of the hobby over time.

The main problem I see facing Ham Radio today is vendors at the flea markets who sell cheap Baofengs to unlicensed people who commence to get on repeaters and jam. IMO, this should be illegal, and carry stiff penalties.

It is illegal to hit the transmit button without a licensed control operator present - see FCC Title 97.5(a). I believe the penalty is you have your gear taken away if you are unlicensed and are found to be transmitting.