HamRadioNow: That ARRL Entry Level License Survey

Okay. If we agree there is no concrete, objective evidence that ham radio's dying; that we need an easier license class, or; that we need to expand privileges; maybe we should discard the notion that any of those things are needed or necessary, and in a new thread:

1. Discuss whether a redesign of question pools is needed to make them relevant to current technology and operating practices.

2. Discuss how to teach new hams how to participate in the hobby.

3. Other discussion of how to create a more attractive, vibrant, useful, current hobby, if needed.

 

There is nothing wrong with the question pool. There' s just too much of it.

4. Take a subset of the question pool that concentrates on UHF and higher, and digital modes, and make a new entry exam. No HF or 2M privileges..

 

Okay, what would you cut and why?
What would you insert for relevance and why?

 

Tom,

I just answered that question. Read my response again please.

73
Chip W1YW

 

Yep, nothing new, I do believe it is not nearly as bad now as it was 25 years ago. I have a feeling modern DF technology is rooting them out.

 

Specifically: which questions would you cut, and/or what would you insert to make the test more relevant?

T1B11? T3C04? T7A06?

Which questions ought to be eliminated to reduce bloat?

It's not a trick question.

Are you suggesting a new entry exam with no HF or 2 meter privileges? If so, why, and what would that accomplish? How do you know it would accomplish anything at all? Without data accompanied by a reasoned, well argued rationale, why would the FCC consider your proposal? What would a new UHF and higher, digital mode exam, give to the ARS that we don't have right now with the existing multiple guess, published question pool, that practically any child can pass?


http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/8-year-old-passes-fcc-s-amateur-radio-license-exam

http://www.9news.com/news/local/5-year-old-passes-ham-radio-exam_20160729094741193/284014215

It's not like the ARRL has never said... 'Gee, maybe we should try to kids in ham radio!'

http://www.arrl.org/outreach-to-youth

 

You sure look for the brighter side of things.

 

That is an awful assessment of current culture, unfortunately its reality.

 

One of many, many realities available today.

 

Or we could invest in an alternate reality... and change the rules based on unsupported and nonsensical ideas, like, we need more kids, or ham radio's dying, or, gee-whiz, if we just make the test easier, kids will drop their smart phones and run headlong into the warm embrace of that great technological engine of popularity and invention...

HAM RADIO!

 

Maybe not dying, but aging rapidly. We need to aggressively find 30-40 somethings to keep the hobby young,
and 15-25 somethings to guarantee a future. If we succeed, we need to teach these new licensees how to become ham radio operators. If we fail, in 10-15 years the hobby will be history.

 

I agree adapt or go the way of the dodo. It is a hard hobby for people with a small disposable income to get started in. Not impossible but not easy.

 

Experienced? Maybe 2%, rest are LIDS screaming over anyone in the way!

 

We have no idea of the actual age demographics in the hobby, and although some people think we need more young people, there's no evidence that young people have any bearing on the health or future of the hobby. For example, the hobby seems to be doing better than ever, by attracting the 45+ demographic, who have the time, money, and property to invest in the hobby. Nothing against kids, but the theory that we "need" them to ensure the future of the hobby, remains just that... a theory.

 

I tend to agree. Historical licensing data suggests, there has been continued growth in amateur radio for decades. What difference does it make to the actual health and longevity of amateur radio? Whether we recruit youngsters and teens into amateur radio now, or if we recruit them 30 years later, as 40 and 50 year old's, when they have ample budgets and resources to be fully vested into the hobby?

Jim AB4D