Alun L. Palmer wrote:

5wpm isn't very fast, but why is it required to operate phone?

And there we have the crux of the situation, expressed in a simple
question.

If a person wants to operate phone, and that is it, then what do they
need to do that?

Nothing. The Citizen's Band is adequate proof of that

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up. Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT button.

But the problem is that the ARS isn't simply about operating phone. It
is about all kinds of operating modes. It is about all manner of
technical endeavors that we may engage in.

Operating phone is only one part of the hobby, and is arguably the
easiest part to do, as we have all learned to talk, so the prerequisites
have been met for most people.

The test requirements are there to give us some basic exposure to
elements of the hobby that are considered important by knowledgeable
people. While there may be argument about how well the tests function
for that purpose, there they are.

And what of people who only intend to operate phone QRP? The RF
exposure questions are kind of a waste of time for them. Satellite
operations? Just how many Hams do satellite operations? Why test on band
allocations, we can look them up in a book. Why should a person have to
do any basic electronics questions if they only want to buy a rig and
antenna and operate phone?

We can eventually argue away most of the test.

It is interesting that two people who have some similarities in
experience can draw such different conclusions from that experience.

Whereas you have chosen to be bitter about your experience (bitter may
be a bit strong of a word - at least you're not to happy about it)
regarding Morse code testing, and I actually ended up being pleased that
I was able to overcome my own physical limitations and pass the darn
thing. I don't advocate changing the rules because I had trouble with
one of them.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am
Alun L. Palmer wrote:

5wpm isn't very fast, but why is it required to operate phone?

And there we have the crux of the situation, expressed in a simple

question.

If a person wants to operate phone, and that is it, then what do
they
need to do that?

Nothing. The Citizen's Band is adequate proof of that

So are all branches of the U.S. military operating on HF.
So are all civilian aircrew flying long routes using HF.
So are all private boat owners using HF.
So are various other civilian PLMRS users on HF.

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)


The test requirements are there to give us some basic exposure to
elements of the hobby that are considered important by knowledgeable
people. While there may be argument about how well the tests function
for that purpose, there they are.

Right...cast in concrete...protected by armor plate...
forbidden EVER to change!

[time no march on very fast for some...tsk, tsk]



And what of people who only intend to operate phone QRP? The RF
exposure questions are kind of a waste of time for them. Satellite
operations? Just how many Hams do satellite operations? Why test on
band
allocations, we can look them up in a book. Why should a person have
to
do any basic electronics questions if they only want to buy a rig and
antenna and operate phone?

We can eventually argue away most of the test.

Of course to all PCTA, eliminating the morse
code test means "ALL tests are eliminated!"

Oh, my. That old merry-go-round started up!


I was able to overcome my own physical limitations and pass the darn
thing.

Your "hero of the American Amateur Corps" medal is
being struck right now. Watch for the event's
announcement in all leading news sources....

I don't advocate changing the rules because I had trouble with
one of them.

Right..."no gain, no pain." Not to mention NO GUTS
to try eliminating it by lawful means like "democratic
principles guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution."

You wanted to buy into the old beliefs. You did it.
Now you can have fun sneering at all who don't care
to buy that. You're a "somebody" in a radio hobby
activity! [applause, applause...] :-)

The ARRL is proud of you.

wrote:

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT
button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)

Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash" said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.

"bb" wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT
button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)

Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash" said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


I think I just found Larry Roll.

Kim W5TIT

"Kim" wrote in news:tPbTd.56982$iC4.24423
@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com:

"bb" wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the only requirement is to know how to read, talk and
mash the PTT button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control fixed! :-)

Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash" said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


I think I just found Larry Roll.

Kim W5TIT




I almost plonked him before I realised it was just Lenny being sarcastic!

Alun N3KIP

"Kim" wrote in message
. com...
"bb" wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT
button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)

Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash" said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


I think I just found Larry Roll.

Kim W5TIT



Listen W5TWIT, I done told ya....stick with what you know.....NOTHING.

Dan/W4NTI

Dan/W4NTI wrote:
"Kim" wrote in message
. com...
"bb" wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT
button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)

Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They
are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash"
said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the
microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to
properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so
with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


I think I just found Larry Roll.

Kim W5TIT



Listen W5TWIT, I done told ya....stick with what you
know.....NOTHING.

Dan/W4NTI


Hey Dan, how 'bout scrapin that dirt from under yer fingernails.

Kim wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:

Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am

Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.
Presumably the
only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT
button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)

Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They
are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash"
said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the
microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to
properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


I think I just found Larry Roll.

Kim W5TIT

Oh, dear God! I forgot the smiley!!!

Sorry Kim, that must have been a real blast from the past.

bb wrote:
wrote:


Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am


Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.

Presumably the

only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT

button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)


Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash" said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


People around my area say "mash" as in referring to "pressing"
something I say it too at times. In general it is said in contesxt such
as "Hey Bob, mash that light switch will ya?

I'll quite saying mash if it offends all of you that much.


- Mike KB3EIA -

(who does mash his PTT when he works SSB)

"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...
bb wrote:
wrote:


Michael Coslo wrote on Feb 22 2005 9:58 am


Buy a rig, an antenna, and pay some people to put it up.

Presumably the

only requirement is to know how to read, talk and mash the PTT

button.

"Mash" the push-to-talk button? That means those
owners have to know where to get the PTT control
fixed! :-)


Yep, he said "mash," but must have been mistaken when he said they
would know how to read.

You see, people that use a microphone are clods. They would never
"depress" the ptt button, nor would they "press down" on it. They are
of low intelligence and barely human, and only know how to "mash" said
button. If no one is looking, they may actually step on the microphone
with bare, dirty feet and yell into it.

People who use a telegraph key are genteel. They know how to properly
close the contacts, form a character, and move on. They do so with
their pinkie finger extended, and have no dirt under their nails.

For it is written.


People around my area say "mash" as in referring to "pressing" something I
say it too at times. In general it is said in contesxt such as "Hey Bob,
mash that light switch will ya?

I'll quite saying mash if it offends all of you that much.


- Mike KB3EIA -

(who does mash his PTT when he works SSB)


A real "communicator" will say 'key the mike', or 'key the circuit'.

Dan/W4NTI