Where do you stand on the issue of "beefing up" the FCC Amateur Services License Examination Program?
Respond here or click http://thedrumsay.com/?author=7
Cheers,
AL
K4ICL
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Re: WHERE DO YOU STAND?
I think there is a sad lack of general knowledge of radio, electronics and operating protocol among most of the General and Extra class Amateur Radio operators today. As a VE, I see it every time I proctor an exam. There should be a mandatory pre-screening of every candidate, to make sure that they are... at the very least...not a danger to themselves and the people around them, when working around electricity and rf. Operating procedure is not a safety item but it should also be addressed, so that the prospective ham will not emulate the local CB Trucker Nerd and alienate every DX station within earshot!K4ICL wrote:Where do you stand on the issue of "beefing up" the FCC Amateur Services License Examination Program?
Respond here or click http://thedrumsay.com/?author=7
Cheers,
AL
K4ICL
When I took the general class exam (which had same privileges as extra at that time, extra was merely a status thing), you had to know theory. You were asked to draw such and such a diagram, or asked what was wrong with the diagram shown. Now I understand it's all multiple choice and no code.
In later years, the arrl took away part of my priveleges when they instituted the incentive liscensing program. Made me so angry that I took their blasted extra exam and blew it away.
With easier liscensing and no code, arrl is desperate for more funds and more and more hams. Getting mighty crowded. And who was the idiot who first came up with the idea of turning our hobby into a contest? Fortunately no one has come up with the idea of having contest during the week.
In later years, the arrl took away part of my priveleges when they instituted the incentive liscensing program. Made me so angry that I took their blasted extra exam and blew it away.
With easier liscensing and no code, arrl is desperate for more funds and more and more hams. Getting mighty crowded. And who was the idiot who first came up with the idea of turning our hobby into a contest? Fortunately no one has come up with the idea of having contest during the week.
I think the problem came up wqhen some one decided that there were all these
poor istreated, underpriviledged, language challenged persons
that shoud be "helped out"
so federal tests had to have all the questions and answers published for all to see. and then theyhad to be multiple guess also.
No more diagrams and fill in the blanks questions.
While the 1960s tests wont be back, a quick fix would be to make the
question pool super secret again and limit anyone from takeing the test
at minimum every 30 days ,if they fail...
If they could not memorize the questions and answers, they could not pass with no knowledge.
The second problem is with the question pool people that make up the questions.
Every answer should be close to the truth.. So they would have to understand to get it right.
I remember my second phone test where the answers were something like
33.456 mc 3.3456 mc 334.56 mc and .33456.
And you only had paper and a slide rule.
You had to know the correct formula and also do you math correctly.
You really DO need to know your math!!!
Or a question where if you used the wrong formula the correct answer was there for that formula too.
I am elmer for all in out club as most have had little to none electronic training
and can barely fix a blown fuse, especially if it keeps blowing.
They don't know a blown fuse is not a cause, just a result. (usually)
don
poor istreated, underpriviledged, language challenged persons
that shoud be "helped out"
so federal tests had to have all the questions and answers published for all to see. and then theyhad to be multiple guess also.
No more diagrams and fill in the blanks questions.
While the 1960s tests wont be back, a quick fix would be to make the
question pool super secret again and limit anyone from takeing the test
at minimum every 30 days ,if they fail...
If they could not memorize the questions and answers, they could not pass with no knowledge.
The second problem is with the question pool people that make up the questions.
Every answer should be close to the truth.. So they would have to understand to get it right.
I remember my second phone test where the answers were something like
33.456 mc 3.3456 mc 334.56 mc and .33456.
And you only had paper and a slide rule.
You had to know the correct formula and also do you math correctly.
You really DO need to know your math!!!
Or a question where if you used the wrong formula the correct answer was there for that formula too.
I am elmer for all in out club as most have had little to none electronic training
and can barely fix a blown fuse, especially if it keeps blowing.
They don't know a blown fuse is not a cause, just a result. (usually)
don
Sadly Ham Radio has become a victim of the politically correct thinking. I've had my Xtra since 1996 and i'm the first to admit that those who came before me are much more smarter about Ham Radio than i am or ever will be so i give my accolades to those who made the sacrifices to elevate there Amateur Radio status and were forced to learn and understand electronics and theory before being licensed and being able to less i forget send and recieve errorless code.
But it's to me sad that since i licensed in 1994 that at least some minimal knowledge of code has been removed. As for the Arrl i believe there existence unfortunately rely's upon giving the makers of Ham equipment there wants more than what average joe Ham wants. I do not want to see the Arrl disappear but would like it to be more open and receptive to there members thus because of there seemingly afore mentioned actions i do not subcribe to their magazine until i see a differing attitude.
But it's to me sad that since i licensed in 1994 that at least some minimal knowledge of code has been removed. As for the Arrl i believe there existence unfortunately rely's upon giving the makers of Ham equipment there wants more than what average joe Ham wants. I do not want to see the Arrl disappear but would like it to be more open and receptive to there members thus because of there seemingly afore mentioned actions i do not subcribe to their magazine until i see a differing attitude.
Larry Huff K0pd
k4zmi wrote:When I took the general class exam (which had same privileges as extra at that time, extra was merely a status thing), you had to know theory. You were asked to draw such and such a diagram, or asked what was wrong with the diagram shown. Now I understand it's all multiple choice and no code.
In later years, the FCC took away part of my priveleges when they instituted the incentive liscensing program. Made me so angry that I took their blasted extra exam and blew it away.
With easier liscensing and no code (ARRL seamingly went along with this trend and they are desperate for more funds and more and more hams). Getting mighty crowded. And who was the idiot who first came up with the idea of turning our hobby into a contest? Fortunately no one has come up with the idea of having contest during the week.