RadioBanter - View Single Post

July 14th 03, 03:01 AM

From: ospam (Larry Roll K3LT)

Well some coders refuse to learn the technical material.

Vipul:

If that is so, then they can't be hams, because they never would have
passed the theory part of the written tests, would they?

With the current written test, they would not have to actually learn the
material to pass the written test.

Naturally, this overlooks the fact that virtually every technical advance
created within the ARS has traditionally been achieved by hams who
also met the existing licensing requirements

Thats probably not true today. I see the exact opposite in the clubs I've been
to. The Hams that focus on contesting and CW are the ones that dislike the
technical topics. Ask them about contesting, and they will show interest. Then
tell them about a Homebrew project, APRS, direction finding, or other technical
area and they are not interested in that.

Unfortunately for you, your circumscription of Morse code proficiency as a
"worthless pursuit" is no more than a highly subjective and flagrantly
self-serving evaluation made by a person with no qualification to render
such a judgment.

I know a Communications Theory Proffessor that worked in the Comm theory field
for many years, and has an Amateur Radio license. No mention of Morse code as a
useful Communications mode in the class.

I challenge you to provide some documentary evidence
that knowledge of the Morse code is somehow detrimental to the "image"
of amateur radio operators.

Here is one example where its bad for image of the individual Amateur Radio
operator. Mention to spouse, relatives, or friends that you got an upgrade to
your license class from passing a Morse code test and its likely that they
would say something about you spending too much time in a worthless pursuit.

Here is one example where its bad for image of the ARS. I mentioned that I had
a Ham radio license to someone. He asked me if they still used Morse code. He
also said its obsolete and even the military does not use it.

The proof
is your own admission that you cannot use the Morse code. If you could,
you may have an entirely different perspective.

Once you learn Morse code above a certain speed, you cannot forget it. I don't
want to permanantly remember code. Then even if I don't like it, I'm stuck with
it.

actual experience has shown that new hams who come
into the ARS under relaxed licensing standards tend to be less technically
involved than ever

I am very willing to do my part on technical projects. I even put an ad for it.
I got only two responses. After a lack of resources, I couldn't continue it. If
more people were interested, then I would be willing to put in the time and
effort to get some of these projects going.

The concept of "Elmering" has transmuted from
....snipped middle of this sentence...
to simply showing the New Age No-Code Tech which button
to push to make his HT work.

My local club got some additional funds. They used it to get an HF radio to get
more people operating with CW. They said this was part of them "advancing the
radio art". The same club members posed for a Homebrewing photo, which they
advertise as current. I asked many of the people in the photo if they liked
homebrewing. None of them did. Seems like the photo is a little dis-honest.