QSO Today - Episode 009 - John Portune - W6NBC

John Portune, W6NBC, may have more hams to his credit due to his teaching methods and one day amateur radio licensing courses than any of his peers. John joins Eric, 4Z1UG, on the QSO Today Podcast to discuss this and John’s other ham radio interests from Amateur Fast Scan Television to his residential disguise antennas for antenna restricted neighborhoods.

Show Notes: http://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/w6nbc
Podcast Link:http://goo.gl/jj313g
iTunes Store: http://goo.gl/CvLNmV
Stitcher: http://goo.gl/uhf1XZ

 

One day licensing courses, IMO, do not contribute to people actually getting involved in amateur radio. Licensed? yes. Involved? Not likely unless they have an Elmer already. I have observed one day licensing classes and, frankly, they "teach to the test". The ones I have witnessed provide zero preparation to actually use the license.

 

When I got my License I got on one of the local 2m repeaters and started to talk.

The First Contact I had was with a local Ham; NY2U, who said Welcome to the Hobby.

If the new "Ham" is mic shy that is no help, especially if the First Contact is not very friendly.

I recall when I got my Drivers License Permit, I was not instantly a good driver, I had to Drive and Practice.

 

I worked with John at Sony in the mid 1990's. My son and wife got their licenses through one of his courses.

The first time my wife got on a local repeater to talk to me, she asked a question about the antenna on the ht she was using. Someone, who didn't identify himself, made a nasty comment to the effect that if she didn't know the answer, she shouldn't have a license. Needless to say, that was the last time she got on the air.

John's technique INTRODUCES people to ham radio. What they do with the license has to do with their MOTIVATION and how we act towards them.