Technician privileges

[KE0GXN]

No, not offended--in fact the death of ham radio's been a topic among local hams here for some time--just wondering what it's got to do with this thread.

To answer your question, some are of the belief that these proposed Tec band privileges among other changes to the current licensing/exam structure will attract more people into the hobby, thus preventing it's so called death.

 

[WB9YBM]

To answer your question, some are of the belief that these proposed Tec band privileges among other changes to the current licensing/exam structure will attract more people into the hobby, thus preventing it's so called death.

The same's been said of other changes made to the rules/structure, as well. Unfortunately--at least from what I've seen--they've put quantity ahead of quality, and (if true) that's where we're shooting ourselves in the foot. (Unless the decline in quality of new ham radio ops is a reflection of society in general--and not necessarily the ham community itself--how philosophical do we want to go with this?)

As a side-note: when a no-code license was initially proposed, my attitude's been that as long as we maintain the integrity of the test--i.e. not dumbing it down--I have no problem with the removal of code (and maybe substitute a few additional test questions in its' place?). Even though I enjoy code, I fully understand there are folks out there who either see no use for it (for the type of operating they intend to do) or, as is the case with a friend of mine, have a hard time learning it.

 

[KE0GXN]

The same's been said of other changes made to the rules/structure, as well. Unfortunately--at least from what I've seen--they've put quantity ahead of quality, and (if true) that's where we're shooting ourselves in the foot.

As we discussed earlier....it's all about whatever spin someone wants to put on it. I see nothing wrong with how things are currently set-up, but then again what do I know?.......I am just that new ham that supposedly ham radio is looking looking for, no need to listen to me. There are those that know what's best for me and my introduction into the hobby.

 

[WB9YBM]

As we discussed earlier....it's all about whatever spin someone wants to put on it. I see nothing wrong with how things are currently set-up, but then again what do I know?.......I am just that new ham that supposedly ham radio is looking looking for, no need to listen to me. There are those that know what's best for me and my introduction into the hobby.

Well, even old timers (I've been licensed since '75) realize there's always more to learn so don't let being the new guy discourage you.

 

[KB4MSZ]

When will technicians capability on at80 in 40and 15 meter phone .I hear a lot of Yeehaw aBout It is the FCC or ARRL doing anything like a comeback

Ah yes, the old

Trick.

 

[W5lz]

Probably a 'dupe';
This hobby is a limited resource sort of thingy. If you have a few thousand new hams, where would you put them? Or, do you honestly think we'd take turns using the bands? Really?
How about the complaint that the test are too hard? BS! People just don't want to waste energy learning something so they can pass a test. The tests only show a persons knowledge about rules and how to keep from killing/hurting yourself, or someone else. Find out what the requirements are, do those requirements and then enjoy yourselves. That holds true for anything, not just ham radio. Don't wanna? Fine, your loss not ours.

 

[kb7gjy]

Probably a 'dupe';
This hobby is a limited resource sort of thingy. If you have a few thousand new hams, where would you put them? Or, do you honestly think we'd take turns using the bands? Really?
How about the complaint that the test are too hard? BS! People just don't want to waste energy learning something so they can pass a test. The tests only show a persons knowledge about rules and how to keep from killing/hurting yourself, or someone else. Find out what the requirements are, do those requirements and then enjoy yourselves. That holds true for anything, not just ham radio. Don't wanna? Fine, your loss not ours.

I agree to a point. If it were a practical test IE building something, showing math on a problem that the answers (A. B. C. D.) are not in a book. A skills test if you will, I would be on board 110%.

The problem is we have many people that just memorize the answers but don't have a basic grasp of the theory.

I'm just a lowly General class. I am a young ham "hihi" (Novice in '88). Worked on repeaters, climbed towers, repaired radios, assisted in designing and installing a Public safety 911/dispatch center, instructed in radio classes. But, showing your work doesn't seem to matter.

Maybe we should do like many other tests. Renewal tests? Skills tests? Continuing education for renewal?

I mean, not throwing stones but some say it is about safety. Just imagine, someone answering memorized questions and allowed to tune a fence on HF and run 1500 watts on 160 meters.

Think of the children.

 

[W5lz]

Most of your "but's" I agree with. Knowing about those 'buts' mostly comes from making mistakes and just not thinking things through far enough. Eh, not much help for some things though. You can't cover everything, but wouldn't it be nice if you could? That's where talking about problems comes in, never know who may have just the right answer for you. That's where these forums come in handy. You still have to do that thinking though, not all the advice you see fits your situation.

 

[WB9YBM]

Probably a 'dupe';
This hobby is a limited resource sort of thingy. If you have a few thousand new hams, where would you put them? Or, do you honestly think we'd take turns using the bands? Really? Most bands (especially VHF, UHF, and above) are under-utilized--they've actually gotten a lot quieter the last 10-15 years as a lot of people have migrated to cell 'phone / e-mail use for message exchanges.
How about the complaint that the test are too hard? BS! People just don't want to waste energy learning something so they can pass a test. The tests only show a persons knowledge about rules and how to keep from killing/hurting yourself, or someone else. Find out what the requirements are, do those requirements and then enjoy yourselves. That holds true for anything, not just ham radio. Don't wanna? Fine, your loss not ours. Today it's all about instant gratification--this all started about the same time as computer games, when all kids had to do was plug a game console into the TV and practically instantly they got gratified. So a lot of people think "I don't want to work for it".

 

[kb7gjy]

So is anyone opposed to retesting, or CE in classes? Honestly, would that be a bad thing?

Be careful what you ask for...

 

[SuperG900]

So is anyone opposed to retesting, or CE in classes? Honestly, would that be a bad thing?

Be careful what you ask for...

Heh - this is where grumpy ol' geezers meet their match.. Cripe's I forgotten more stuff than I can count... going for my General ticket next month.

 

[K9DWB]

Hey does this mean if I'd waited a bit longer, I might have had to pay $50 to FCC to get the license but they'd just hand me an Extra? 'Cause otherwise ya know I'm poor and underappreciated. Goodbye cruel radio world... Later.

 

[k6cpo]

Hey does this mean if I'd waited a bit longer, I might have had to pay $50 to FCC to get the license but they'd just hand me an Extra? 'Cause otherwise ya know I'm poor and underappreciated. Goodbye cruel radio world... Later.

No, you would still have to test for General and Extra. At $50 a pop, unless you did them both on the same day.

 

[K9DWB]

@k6cpo yep I figured it would be that way. I was just doing the lame joke of the day thing. Folks just need to study, and you get to pass the exam(s).

Me personally, I don't know if changing the license classes makes any difference other than something is different so it must be progress. I'm not going to be fooled if that's all it is.

 

[W5lz]

So far, this $50 license fee is just a proposal. So, if you can't afford it, get it now, or wait till you can or find another hobby. All VEs don't conduct exams the same way. Locally, you can take as many tests as you feel like. As long as you pass them in progression! Basically, you only pay for the highest test you pass. You can take tests for the same class as the last one you failed, but it won't be the same questions.
Want to up-grade? Do so! It amounts to more frequency privileges, not just a license 'name'. No interest in those extra privileges? Will you have an interest later, and wished you'd taken the @#$ test back then? You only have to use the privileges you want to use, not all of them.

 

[SuperG900]

The fee proposal is a trial balloon to see how much whining the ham community will produce. If Uncle Sam hears crickets, it'll pass We need to raise a stink.

 

[bill4long]

So is anyone opposed to retesting?

What problem does this solve?

 

[buddrousa]

None

 

[AK9R]

What problem does this solve?

The problem of old hams, who have been licensed for years, continuing to follow methods and practices based on the rules back when they were first licensed and telling new hams that's the way it has to be.

One example is tacking "/R" onto a CW repeater ID. Not required by the rules, but I know a lot of old repeater operators who continue to do it. It's a small thing and nobody's going to die or go to jail over it--it's just an indication of an old ham who hasn't kept up with the rule changes.

Oh, and before anyone gets excited, I've been licensed for 29 years, so I guess I'm an old ham. I would gladly retake a license exam every 10 years.

 

[belvdr]

I would gladly retake a license exam every 10 years.

Same here. At the very least, we get better accuracy in the number of active hams. I retest for various certifications all the time and find it makes me strive to keep up with things.