Recently, there have been unsubstantiated claims that at some time in
the past I proposed some sort of "no-test" amateur radio service.

Considering the demonstrated memory inaccuracy of the first claimer,
perhaps what he remembers is this:


From: (N2EY)
Subject: Rots o' Ruck
Date: 1999/06/24
Message-ID:
X-Deja-AN: 493270950
References:
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.policy
X-Admin:

In article , W6RCecilA

writes:

I have suggested that an exam on
the Smith Chart be an option instead of the Morse
code exam.

Sounds like a good idea to me. In fact, should the treaty be changed,
the Smith
Chart test could replace the code test. Understanding the Smith Chart
and being
able to use one actually demonstrates several areas of knowledge and
skill. The
tests would consist of interpreting a solved problem on one chart, (the
"understanding" test) then solving a different problem on a blank chart
(the
"solution" test). At first, most hams and wouldbe hams would would
simply study
the Smith Chart and pass the tests.

But then the trouble would start...

Some hams who had not passed the Smith Chart test might say that those
who had
passed the test were being "elitist" about their Smith chart skill and
knowledge. The term "chartless Extra" would be considered an insult by
some, a
badge of honor by others. Some would grumble that since they have no
desire to
design antenna/transmission line systems, they should not be required
to pass a
Smith Chart test. They would point out that other services do not have
Smith
chart testing, and so neither should hams.

Defenders of the tests ("Smithys" or "chartists") would claim that the
Smith
chart was a "uniquely practical, efficient, and universal" tool for
antenna/transmission line work. They would recall how lives had been
saved by
hams able to quickly design matching sections to permit using an
antenna on a
frequency it was not designed for, and would predict dire consequences
in the
event of widespread disaster.

Those opposed to the test ("Smithless" or "nochartists") would argue
that
newer, more accurate, less error prone software systems had left the
Smith
chart in the dust. "We don't want to use OLD design methods" and "The
Chart is
too slow and error prone" would be their rallying cry. There would be
testimonials by hams who had worked 300 DXCC countries using QRP and a
dipole
without any reference to a Smith Chart, and claims of others who "had
rote-memorized the Chart and promptly forgot it all as soon as the test
was
over". Many would claim that young people, used to solving even minor
addition
problems on computers, had no interest in learning old fashioned
graphical
methods. Some would say that the emphasis on such a timeworn, old
fashioned,
crude graphical method of solving problems made ham radio look backward
and
nonprogressive, and was downright embarrassing. Ph.D's in EE would
claim that
they had designed entire radio communication systems without use of the
Smith
Chart, yet were kept out of ham radio because of the test.

The arguments would become more heated and insulting over time.
Nochartists
would point out that the Chart test was discriminatory, because, for
example,
blind people could not fulfill the letter of the law in passing the
test. Some
would claim to be "chart impaired" and unable to pass the test due to
inability
to do geometry. The question of "chart waivers" would be raised, and
much angry
invective spewed over "chart fraud" and "open chart pools". There would
be a
demand that the use of graphical calculators be allowed in the tests.

Chartists would claim that accomodations such as Braille Smith charts
met the
intent of the law. Old timers ("quillpenners") would recall a time
when all
charting was done by hand, in ink, on chart paper costing the modern
equivalent
of several dollars a sheet. (They used ink because they were so
confident of
doing it right the first time).

The use, or nonuse, of the Chart by military and commercial services
would be
hotly debated. Some nochartists would claim that the military stopped
using the
Chart during WW2, while some chartists would claim that the Smith chart
played
a crucial role in the Kosovo crisis.

A popular summer blockbuster movie starring Jodie Foster, Will Smith,
Jeff
Goldblum and Bill Paxton would have a plot in which alien invaders were
detected, then repelled by means of a hastily reactivated surplus
Russian
over-the-horizon "woodpecker" radar system. The critical plot element
would be
the heroine's use of the Smith Chart to match the "woodpecker"
transmitter to
the Arecibo dish. (How the Russian radar wound up in Puerto Rico would
be left
unexplained).

The ARRL, Gordon West, and W5YI would be caught in the middle of the
debate.
From the first, they and others would have marketed a whole line of
Smith chart
training aids, including books, videotapes, and software. W1AW would
transmit
SSTV programs explaining chart use, and MFJ would market "portable
personal
chart trainers". Claims of monetary interest in the production of Chart
materials would be made and denied.

Nochartists would claim that the chartists were just "old f***s" who
were
supporting the status quo due to "chart chauvinism", and did not
understand the
realities of the modern age. A few chartists would claim that the
nochartists
were just whiners who were too lazy to even learn how to hold a compass
correctly. The need for "high speed chart tests" would be debated
hotly, many
claiming that no time limit should be placed on the chart test. "One
Chart per
week satisfies the law" would be their claim, while skilled chartists
spoke of
doing 30, 40, even 50 charts per hour, and being able to "see the
solution
without even making a mark on the chart".

Eventually the nochartists would organize a group to fight the chart
test. The
founders of No Charts International would claim that they had no
problem with
anyone USING the Chart, just the mandatory test requirement. "It's not
the
CHART, it's the TEST" would be a common rallying cry.

And everyone would await the FCC's ruling...

73 de Jim, "submitted for your approval" N2EY

wrote:
...

I should think you would be the most happy if ham radio ONLY consisted
of you are your friends ...

In which case, only two people would have all the bands to themselves ...

JS

wrote:
On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:44:53 -0800, John Smith I
wrote:

wrote:
...
I should think you would be the most happy if ham radio ONLY consisted
of you are your friends ...

In which case, only two people would have all the bands to themselves ...

JS

which of course would be a criminal waste of bandwidth
http://kb9rqz.blogspot.com/


Hmmm. I would imagine that much hot air would need some real bandwidth
to dissipate into ...

JS

John Smith I wrote:
wrote:
On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:44:53 -0800, John Smith I
wrote:
wrote:

Hmmm. I would imagine that much hot air would need some real bandwidth
to dissipate into ...

That's UNSUBSTANTIATED hot air, John... :-)

Thermally yours,

LA wink

wrote:
...

Len:

Although I have enjoyed your previous posts ...

Do you really believe N2EY exists? (ever listen to Art Bell?, he might
be a grey!)

Len! Don't make me think you are part of this "conspiracy!"
stiff-upper-lip

JS

John Smith I wrote:
wrote:
...

Len:

Although I have enjoyed your previous posts ...

Thank you. I think... ?

Do you really believe N2EY exists? (ever listen to Art Bell?, he might
be a grey!)

Never listened to Art Bell...nor NPR any more...not even Limbaugh.

Len! Don't make me think you are part of this "conspiracy!"
stiff-upper-lip

I am a conspiracy of one. :-)

Just a minute...Marty L. just handed me some more Theses, says
I have to nail them on the church door. Be back in a while...

LA

wrote:
...
Never listened to Art Bell...nor NPR any more...not even Limbaugh.
...

Really?

Damn man, live a little!

JS grin

John Smith I wrote:
wrote:
...
Never listened to Art Bell...nor NPR any more...not even Limbaugh.
...

Really?

Damn man, live a little!

Some things are just too much. Why, at Christmas I got this Clapper
to turn off the nightstand light in the bedroom. Had to remove it.
The applause was making it difficult to sleep...

ba-dum-bump

LA

wrote:
Recently, there have been unsubstantiated claims that at some time in
the past I proposed some sort of "no-test" amateur radio service.

Considering the demonstrated memory inaccuracy of the first claimer,
perhaps what he remembers is this:


From: (N2EY)
Subject: Rots o' Ruck
Date: 1999/06/24
Message-ID:
X-Deja-AN: 493270950
References:
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.policy
X-Admin:

In article , W6RCecilA

writes:

I have suggested that an exam on
the Smith Chart be an option instead of the Morse
code exam.

snip

73 de Jim, "submitted for your approval" N2EY

I'm guessing that not only could that have been the one, but that it is
the one. It'd be my bet that a certain individual could set up his
Google search to look for his own posts in conjunction with a no written
test theory and find responses to your post on the Smith Chart test.

Go figure!

Dave K8MN