Just thought you should know that.


Help save Ham radio and ignore Markie to save
usenet. Thanks


1- No more automatic renewals. Individuals must retest and pass all
elements required for their license class every ten years.


2- The passing score for written exams needs to be raised to 85%.


3- Code elements should be 13 wpm for General, and 20 wpm for Extra.


4- Make the no-code license one year non-renewable.


5- Cancel your ARRL membership until they decide to work to improve
things and stop them from proposing ham radio that is like CB.

Who cares! HAM radio is dying fast and your ideas will just make it
come faster.
The Kat wrote:
On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 20:57:58 GMT, Slow Code wrote:

Just thought you should know that.

You're an ass.

Just thought you should know that (AND you probably already did).




Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.

This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity...

Remove XYZ to email me

Blow Code - your ideas will damn amateur radio and kill it. The ARRL is the
best thing we have and all amateurs should join the organization to help
preserve amateur radio. Forcing CW onto newcomers will only turn them away
from amateur radio since CW is seen by outsiders as old-fashioned and
out-of-date. This is the 21st Century and people do not want to be forced
to learn and use and communication method developed in the 19th Century.
Grow up and face reality. Stop clinging to your old buggy whip communication
methods and get over the fact that amateur radio is changing for the better.
It's going to change with our without you. You can stop change.


"Slow Code" wrote in message
nk.net...
Just thought you should know that.


Help save Ham radio and ignore Markie to save
usenet. Thanks


1- No more automatic renewals. Individuals must retest and pass all
elements required for their license class every ten years.


2- The passing score for written exams needs to be raised to 85%.


3- Code elements should be 13 wpm for General, and 20 wpm for Extra.


4- Make the no-code license one year non-renewable.


5- Cancel your ARRL membership until they decide to work to improve
things and stop them from proposing ham radio that is like CB.





--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 08:45:57 -0400, "ohioradioham"
wrote:

Blow Code - your ideas will damn amateur radio and kill it.

That's evidently why the number of hams kept decreasing until code was
eliminated, right?

Oh, wait a minute - the numbers didn't START decreasing until code was
eliminated.

Forcing CW onto newcomers will only turn them away
from amateur radio since CW is seen by outsiders as old-fashioned and
out-of-date. This is the 21st Century and people do not want to be forced
to learn and use and communication method developed in the 19th Century.

People today don't want to be forced to learn - whether it's CW, or
how to build a trivial little interface between a transceiver (modern
invention) and a computer (another modern invention), or some antenna
theory. Just hand them a license and a radio and they want to be on
the air.

Grow up and face reality.

Reality is that ham radio is turning into a multi-band CB - just buy a
radio and get on the air without actually knowing how it works or how
to use it.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:41:23 -0400, Al Klein
wrote:

Reality is that ham radio is turning into a multi-band CB - just buy a
radio and get on the air without actually knowing how it works or how
to use it.

------------ REPLY SEPARATOR ------------

Much as it pains me, I have to admit the above is true. It is
happening because that's what the majority wants. Isn't democracy
wonderful?

Sigh.

Bill, W6WRT
Licensed since 1957, the good 'ol days
20 WPM Extra who dislikes CW and always will

"Bill Turner" wrote in message
...
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:41:23 -0400, Al Klein
wrote:

Reality is that ham radio is turning into a multi-band CB - just buy a
radio and get on the air without actually knowing how it works or how
to use it.

------------ REPLY SEPARATOR ------------

Much as it pains me, I have to admit the above is true. It is
happening because that's what the majority wants. Isn't democracy
wonderful?

Sigh.

Bill, W6WRT
Licensed since 1957, the good 'ol days
20 WPM Extra who dislikes CW and always will

I'll agree with this - to a point. While hams "could" go about their hobby
and be creative - making gadgets and so on to aid in their hobby or whatever
else to keep the "electronics" part of it alive, many don't. Many just do as
suggested, buy a radio and operate it - not doing another thing. Yes it can
be a bit of a pain to design a multi band or even single band
transmitter/receiver or transceiver - while they may not equal an off the
shelf unit such as a Icom 706 or whatever, it does add to the fun of
"Creating" and "Using" it. Yeah I know - like a car, who wants to build when
you can buy. But if you've not built from scratch - try it sometime.
I've built many items and enjoy using them. They've also saved me umpteen
hours of work to boot. I build only items I know I can get use of, not
something I'm going to waste money on buying parts, time and labor and other
materials - just to throw it in a drawer. IF you build something of use or
convenience, you will appreciate it and desire to do even more. THAT is one
way to carry out the Ham tradition EVEN IF you hate code and swear it off. I
had to know code also for passing exams. I AM an examiner. I'm not "in love"
with code, but then many are. To each their own. Radio is fairly diverse, it
allows you to find your niche.

Technology in itself has to carry some blame - not everyone can repair the
current type of equipment being sold. Not everyone has the tools and
necessary special soldering/desoldering equipment. Some of that can cost as
much as a radio - itself. So, I say if ya want to at least "try" to
participate in repairing your own, buy some older stuff, use it, repair it,
ENJOY it. Enjoy using it AND being able to keep it alive.

I guess to make a point short and to the point - if you like ham - try to
get as much out of the hobby as you can - after all - you took the time to
get a license and spent the money to get involved. IF you don't like ham -
maybe into CB, fine - learn what you need about antennas, coax, etc......
and get into your hobby that way. There IS something for everyone if they
just LOOK. A hoby, regardless of it's nature - is to be ENJOYED.

Lou/Ka3flu

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 15:25:17 -0400, "clfe"
wrote:

Yes it can
be a bit of a pain to design a multi band or even single band
transmitter/receiver or transceiver - while they may not equal an off the
shelf unit such as a Icom 706 or whatever, it does add to the fun of
"Creating" and "Using" it.

------------ REPLY SEPARATOR ------------

Right you are, but there is one area where homebuilders can still
equal or even outperform commercial manufacturers: High power
amplifiers.

Amplifiers these days are so expensive to buy and yet so simple to
build that a lot of hams enjoying rolling their own. Anyone interested
should join the Amps reflector at contesting.com or the RFAmplifiers
group at yahoo.com, or both.

Don't expect to throw one together in a weekend, but do spend some
time learning the ins and outs of amp design and go for it.

Fun, fun, fun!

Bill, W6WRT

Ya, and you're not a 'real' bowler either unless you have a $500 bowling
ball.

And you're not a 'real' fisherman until you've caught a Marlin off the coast
of Mexico either.

It's only a hobby. If you don't like it, pick another one!



"Slow Code" wrote in message
nk.net...
Just thought you should know that.


Help save Ham radio and ignore Markie to save
usenet. Thanks


1- No more automatic renewals. Individuals must retest and pass all
elements required for their license class every ten years.


2- The passing score for written exams needs to be raised to 85%.


3- Code elements should be 13 wpm for General, and 20 wpm for Extra.


4- Make the no-code license one year non-renewable.


5- Cancel your ARRL membership until they decide to work to improve
things and stop them from proposing ham radio that is like CB.

"Steve" wrote in message
...
Ya, and you're not a 'real' bowler either unless you have a $500 bowling
ball.

And you're not a 'real' fisherman until you've caught a Marlin off the
coast of Mexico either.

It's only a hobby. If you don't like it, pick another one!




You use what you can afford. I bought my first ham set up for like $50
used - it was all I could afford at the time AND I had to fabricate some
things to boot. I got my feet wet with it and it kept me interested. Not
everyone can afford the "best". It doesn't mean they're any less of a
hobbiest in that particular field. "I" do not try to keep up with the Jones'
as they say. IF my friend comes home with a brand new radio - it doesn't
mean I'll run out to buy one. Same with a bowling ball, etc. That NEW radio,
bowling ball, fishing (equipment) / expedition, hunting rifle - isn't going
to promise a damned thing. Human intervention "still" counts. Take astronomy
as a hobby...... there are bigger and better(?) telescopes supported by
large universities or other groups. Still - many finds are done with the
smaller back yard telescopes. It's not the size - the cost that count. The
"user" has to do something to make it count. AND in many cases - be it
finding a rare station on the bands, an asteroid, bowling all strikes,
etc........ LUCK has a hell of a lot to do with it. Even the best in
esperience and equipment - fail - sometimes.

Given a choice between a new H.F. rig and either an old boat anchor OR a
homebrew rig to make a contact with, I'd pick the latter - hands down. It
tends to give you a tad more pride using such old equipment that maybe you
repaired or bought cheap OR built from scratch. Personally, I had an HW 101
and now have a TS440S (bought new when offered). If the Heathkit had as many
bells and whistles as the Kenwood - only in the extra bands - I'd take it
hands down. I love the audio of the tube radios over the newer radios. The
Kenwood had an Autotuner - I could tune the Heath with an outboard tuner
faster than that dumb autotuner did the Kenwood - in many cases. Point
being, those older radios are not as sophisticated as the new stuff, but
they sure still performed. Being new, being eh - better(?) isn't what it is
always about. And even the homebrew stuff, be it solid state OR tube - when
it comes alive with audio out of the speaker - or putting out that first
signal over the air waves - there is no better feeling.

You have a ham license and buy a used rig - you're a ham. Buy a used bowling
ball, go bowling as often as possible - you're a bowler. Go fishing as often
as possible even with a $10 fishing pole, you're a fisherman. Pitch a tent
with a sheet over a line - you're a camper. Too many people worry about
"impressing" others. Do you do code? IF so, is it at 5 wpm or 60? WHO
CARES - you're enjoying the hobby at your own level.

lou-ka3flu

"clfe" wrote in message
...
"Steve" wrote in message
...
Ya, and you're not a 'real' bowler either unless you have a $500 bowling
ball.

And you're not a 'real' fisherman until you've caught a Marlin off the
coast of Mexico either.

It's only a hobby. If you don't like it, pick another one!




You use what you can afford. I bought my first ham set up for like $50
used - it was all I could afford at the time AND I had to fabricate some
things to boot. I got my feet wet with it and it kept me interested. Not
everyone can afford the "best". It doesn't mean they're any less of a
hobbiest in that particular field. "I" do not try to keep up with the
Jones' as they say. IF my friend comes home with a brand new radio - it
doesn't mean I'll run out to buy one. Same with a bowling ball, etc. That
NEW radio, bowling ball, fishing (equipment) / expedition, hunting rifle -
isn't going to promise a damned thing. Human intervention "still" counts.
Take astronomy as a hobby...... there are bigger and better(?) telescopes
supported by large universities or other groups. Still - many finds are
done with the smaller back yard telescopes. It's not the size - the cost
that count. The "user" has to do something to make it count. AND in many
cases - be it finding a rare station on the bands, an asteroid, bowling
all strikes, etc........ LUCK has a hell of a lot to do with it. Even the
best in esperience and equipment - fail - sometimes.

Given a choice between a new H.F. rig and either an old boat anchor OR a
homebrew rig to make a contact with, I'd pick the latter - hands down. It
tends to give you a tad more pride using such old equipment that maybe you
repaired or bought cheap OR built from scratch. Personally, I had an HW
101 and now have a TS440S (bought new when offered). If the Heathkit had
as many bells and whistles as the Kenwood - only in the extra bands - I'd
take it hands down. I love the audio of the tube radios over the newer
radios. The Kenwood had an Autotuner - I could tune the Heath with an
outboard tuner faster than that dumb autotuner did the Kenwood - in many
cases. Point being, those older radios are not as sophisticated as the new
stuff, but they sure still performed. Being new, being eh - better(?)
isn't what it is always about. And even the homebrew stuff, be it solid
state OR tube - when it comes alive with audio out of the speaker - or
putting out that first signal over the air waves - there is no better
feeling.

You have a ham license and buy a used rig - you're a ham. Buy a used
bowling ball, go bowling as often as possible - you're a bowler. Go
fishing as often as possible even with a $10 fishing pole, you're a
fisherman. Pitch a tent with a sheet over a line - you're a camper. Too
many people worry about "impressing" others. Do you do code? IF so, is it
at 5 wpm or 60? WHO CARES - you're enjoying the hobby at your own level.

lou-ka3flu

Code - CW........ a big argument over someone doing it or not........ WHY?
When I got into Ham, I got into CW for a while, but then as now, I'm NOT in
love with it. At that time, RTTY (Radio Teletype - for those who may not
know) was still fairly big. Packet came in as did other modes. I "tried"
RTTY - to me, as CW/Code is to some of you - it was BORING. You could also
argue how RTTY could save a life. Any mode "could" under the right
conditions. Someone may be aware of a situation and have had ONLY an RTTY
machine - send the message to another with other equipment who then gets the
help enroute to help the distressed. Let's say someone in a lighthouse seen
a sinking ship and they only had the RTTY working. So - yes it may be far
fetched but show how a "single" mode "could" "help" save a life. To bring it
all together - again I say - you use what you have and to your level. IF you
help save a life - congradulations. If you merely spend a quiet evening
getting enjoyment out of it, more power to you. I would have found packet
boring too, but it was before the internet got going hot and heavy - and it
allowed me to get and receive "typed" messages to my friends who were
licensed and so equipped.- just like e-mail for those of you who aren't
familiar with packet. Pick a mode, try it - if ya like it - use it. If not,
try another one. To each - his/her own.