How To Resurrect Ham Radio

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K0RGR @ Jan. 11 2004,12:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thanks to W1RFI for posting the 1963 License Manual - it didn't change much between then and 1965 when I got my Novice.  

It would appear that the technical information has become a smaller part of the exam than it was on the Novice in 1963. We can't really know this, though, because unlike today, not all topics were actually on the test. Today, they must have a question on each required area - the result is a test that is very heavily weighted towards the rules and regs instead of the theory.was.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
On that 1963 Novice exam, the ONLY technical content was Ohm's law, power and some questions about what kind of meter is used to measure voltage or current. On today's Tech exam, there are questions about antennas, feed lines, propagation and RF safety, to name the highlights. There is a lot more technical aspect to today's entry-level exams. The Novice exam in 1963 was virtually only about the rules and regulations.

IMHO, the Extra Class exam is easier now than it was in 1964, although at that time, the Extra truly was only a "vanity" exam. IIRC, the only amateur privileges it conveyed was the right to get a 1X2 call sign. In 1964, one got all amateur privileges for taking the General, which, as a point of reference, had 16 pages of material in the ARRL study guide.

Today's exams are generally, however, not easier; they are different. And while a few idiot-savants may be capable of memorizing over 1000 questions without understanding, rote memorization is by far the hardest way to try to pass the tests. Most hams of today are doing just what I did in 1963, and passing the tests with a combination of learning, memorizing, lucky guessing and hoping that the harder questions don't appear on the exam they are given.

73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI

 

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kw9u @ Jan. 11 2004,13:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">It's been several years since I looked at "Now You're Talking", but I believe the answer is yes. Typical textbook style with quiz at the end of each chapter. Much more content than you actually need to just pass the test.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That is about right for Now You're Talking. The Q&A study guides are geared more toward the questions, although the scope of material in the pools themselves has more breadth and depth than the entry level exams of my era. It is interesting to note that ARRL has always published the most comprehensive learning study guides, but that doesn't seem to deter the posts from those who want to boldly proclaim that ARRL wants to see amateur radio as dumbed down as it can possibly be.

And, of course, that "much more material" actually makes passing the test easier, because the easiest way to pass is to learn the underlying material.

The idea that vaste hordes of people want to get into amateur radio so they won't learn anything is, IMHO, flawed. Most people who choose to become hams do so because they want to enrich their lives. Those who want to be lazy have a much easier choice -- they can do nothing and meet that goal handily.

73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI

 

KG4KMQ,
Jason, thank you for sharing the wisdom and experience in Amateur Radio  you have acquired  by monitoring other Technicians on 2 meters. Just as you  find the attitude surprising of full grown adults who have learned themselves by experience,I also find the attitude surprising of some adolescents who lack experience and feel they are in a position to judge, after only being in Amateur radio for a matter of days or months.
Do I know it all ?? Sorry you said that Jason it immediately shows your biased attitude. NO I have only been around Ham Radio for 50 years and I find I am still learning, the more I learn, the more I find what there is to learn. If you think you in your minimumal time as a Amateur, you have learned all there is to know, then you are more ignorant than I would give you credit for.The opinions I expressed are my opinions from my own experience and observations, although those thoughts are shared by the majority of those I consult.
The atitude with the ugly face that you express is when you attribute the displeasure of the  dumbing down of Amateur radio as being some sort of  "initiattion process "  your lack of maturity indicates you don't have the slightest idea what the tradition and spirit of Amateur radio stands for.Are we as OF farts afraid we will be replaced? That again shows your juvenile precocious thinking. Yes we all worry about being replaced, or to be more specific we worry we won't be replaced. That the incoming newbies will think it is too hard , or why should I have to learn I'm not going to use it, or in my quite limited scope I think it is unnecessary,or don't worry it is only a "FUN HOBBY",yes Jason most of us worry about being replaced.
The fact that you can make character judgement calls from reading some one's post on this forum is nothing short of amazing. You noted you are a college student, do you have your PHD, and how many years of post graduate Psycology do you have ? Or did you acquire your gift in one semester of Psycology 1A ?
As to herding more cattle into the pen, we have more newbies now than we have time to train and  make HAMs of them, For those who have a genuine desire to join and contribute to Ham Radio, I'm sure they as those before them have done , will qualify,for those who can't or due to a faulty atitude will not qualify they needn't waste everyones time.
Speaking of juvenile immature atitudes I just reread your post, and obviously this writing is a waste of my time. I hope you enjoy your next try at a hobby, I don't think you have what it takes for this one.....73,   ORV
 

 

Mabey we should try the Howard Dean, ultra liberal, government is your mommy socialist approach:

1. The government is our mommy, and mommy should allow each and every citizen access to HF by eliminating ALL license requirements. After all, its "not fair" that some have earned HF priveleges and some have not. We are all equal in mommy's eyes.

2) Because the government is our mommy, the government should buy each and every child (so they don't get left behind) a Yaesu MK-V, 60 ft tower, tribander, rotor, coax, and 1KW amp.

3) How to pay for this program you ask? Easy!
increase the taxes of people that earn a living so that mommy/government can give things to people that don't earn it.

Now, was that so hard?

 

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W9WHE @ Jan. 13 2004,08:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Mabey we should try the Howard Dean, ultra liberal, government is your mommy socialist approach:

1. The government is our mommy, and mommy should allow each and every citizen access to HF by eliminating ALL license requirements. After all, its "not fair" that some have earned HF priveleges and some have not. We are all equal in mommy's eyes.

2) Because the government is our mommy, the government should buy each and every child (so they don't get left behind) a Yaesu MK-V, 60 ft tower, tribander, rotor, coax, and 1KW amp.

3) How to pay for this program you ask?  Easy!
increase the taxes of people that earn a living so that mommy/government can give things to people that don't earn it.

Now, was that so hard?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Dead horse in the middle of the road... stinkin to high heaven

 

K6UEY,

Wow, I don't even know where to begin....Ok first some observations.  This seems like generation war-fare and I'd like to avoid that.  So I make the disclaimer that I do think elderly men and women have much to teach and I certainly respect them until they do something to discourage that respect.  In fact, the same goes for groups of all ages.  Having said that, I am going to help clear up some confusion you have about my previous post.


</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Jason, thank you for sharing the wisdom and experience in Amateur Radio  you have acquired  by monitoring other Technicians on 2 meters.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Your welcome, but I didn't really talk much about Amateur Radio.  All of my comments were about sterotyping a group for an immutable characteristic and I certainly didn't learn that from "monitoring other Technicians on 2 meters."  A little license level sterotyping are we?  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Just as you  find the attitude surprising of full grown adults who have learned themselves by experience,I also find the attitude surprising of some adolescents who lack experience and feel they are in a position to judge, after only being in Amateur radio for a matter of days or Do I know it all ?? Sorry you said that Jason it immediately shows your biased attitude. NO I have only been around Ham Radio for 50 years and I find I am still learning, the more I learn, the more I find what there is to learn. months.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Judge what?  Your technical abilities? Personality?  It's hard to tell what you mean.  If you think I was judging your technical abilities, then that's mistaken.  I don't know the extent of your radio knowledge.  If you think I'm judging you because of sterotypical comments, maybe. I'd say it was less judging and more bringing it to your attention.  But if you want to call it judging, we can.      


</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Do I know it all ?? Sorry you said that Jason it immediately shows your biased attitude. NO I have only been around Ham Radio for 50 years and I find I am still learning, the more I learn, the more I find what there is to learn.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Yes, that's what I said.  Nobody knows it all.  And that's a great that you seek to learn more.  That's the purpose, right?  Also, biased attitude towards what?  Towards the "older generation"?  I can't see that in my post and I'd be interested to know how you gleamed it.  So, what am I biased towards?  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
If you think you in your minimumal time as a Amateur, you have learned all there is to know, then you are more ignorant than I would give you credit for.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Where's your basis from what I said for that statement?  Nope I haven't learned all there is to know, but I hope that I learned to resist sterotyping before entering Amateur radio.  It's one of those "school of life" things.  Ignorant of what?  Amateur radio?  Yes  We all are to a certain extent.  Otherwise it wouldn't be any fun to discover something new.  Thank the good Lord for that one.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
The atitude with the ugly face that you express is when you attribute the displeasure of the  dumbing down of Amateur radio as being some sort of  "initiattion process "  your lack of maturity indicates you don't have the slightest idea what the tradition and spirit of Amateur radio stands for.Are we as OF farts afraid we will be replaced? That again shows your juvenile [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

See previous post.  I never said that was my opinion.  I said "some say...." and also said I don't know why that is or care why.  If you're worried about the testing procedures, again, the FCC would be the best place to change them.  I hope the spirit of Amateur radio isn't sterotyping other groups.  That might be the answer to initial poster's inquery.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
The fact that you can make character judgement calls from reading some one's post on this forum is nothing short of amazing. You noted you are a college student, do you have your PHD, and how many years of post graduate Psycology do you have ? Or did you acquire your gift in one semester of Psycology 1A ?
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Thanks, but again, those observations were more to bring sterotyping to light and not a judgment on all your personal acheivements, goals, attitudes, feelings, etc...  Also, never said I was a college student.  I don't know where you're getting that.  Also, I don't see the relevancy of my (or anyone's) education level for this discussion.  Unless, of course, that's another sterotype creeping below the surface?  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
As to herding more cattle into the pen, we have more newbies now than we have time to train and  make HAMs of them, For those who have a genuine desire to join and contribute to Ham Radio, I'm sure they as those before them have done , will qualify,for those who can't or due to a faulty atitude will not qualify they needn't waste everyones time.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

That's true in anything people take part in.  Good call.  However be careful that you don't associate "faulty attitude" with a genertion or group of people with an immutable characteristic.  That's what got this whole thing started.  In addition, check out one of the purposes of Amateur Radio.  47CFR97.1(d)  Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.  
    More "newbies", expand existing reservoir.  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Speaking of juvenile immature atitudes I just reread your post, and obviously this writing is a waste of my time. I hope you enjoy your next try at a hobby, I don't think you have what it takes for this one
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

"Juvenile immature attitudes" for someone defending against sterotypical attitudes?  Doesn't make sense.  Looking a person up and using their first name I suppose is the mature and honorable thing to do? hmmmm  That's an interesting concept.  Also, you are amazing.  You're able to tell whether "I got what it takes" to be in amateur radio by reading my opinions on sterotyping.  

Ok, so I hope I cleared some things up for you.

KG4KMQ

 

I know the post I'm taking this from is a bit old, but I just saw it now....

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">In reply to the comment about ham radio not "dying" I would urge that you listen to the 20 meter band almost any time. Compared to 5 to 10 years ago there is little or no activity. True I have no statistics but common sense would say that if you can tune from 14300 to 14180 and hear about 5 or 6 stations then something is certainly causing a severe decrease in activity.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Check the sunspot cycle too. Activity on 20m will go up and down along with it. But, activity on the lower bands like 40m and 80m will go up (at night obviously) when those go down.

I think the person who said you had no data to back you up was talking about the number of licensed amateurs in the USA and/or world. Those numbers sure don't show a decrease. When I was first licensed in the mid 80s, there were about 250,000 hams in the USA and another 250,000 in the rest of the world combined. Last I saw, today there is about 750,000 in the USA, and Japan alone has more than the USA. Yes, many of them are non-HFers for which there was no license class for in the mid 80s. But, whatever they are doing, the numbers sure do not indicate that this is a dying hobby.

 

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wa1fok @ Jan. 06 2004,09:44)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hi:
In reply to the comment about ham radio not "dying" I would urge that you listen to the 20 meter band almost any time. Compared to 5 to 10 years ago there is little or no activity. True I have no statistics but common sense would say that if you can tune from 14300 to 14180 and hear about 5 or 6 stations then something is certainly causing a severe decrease in activity.
WA1FOK[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Only 5 or 6 stations? Probably poor propagation. I think, scanning from 14150 to 14350 with decent conditions I'll typically hear something 32 stations (I've scanned through many times). 14180 to 14200 alone would provide around 5 stations or more. Some of the band is legitimately crowded at times, too, with strong QSOs ~1 kHZ apart, not to mention operation other bands as well. 14250 to 14300 is kind of quiet, but at least it's not crowded. 14230 is always busy, and the lower 14200's are alive as well.

I don't think the hobby is dying, but it certainly could use more publicity, and (I don't wish to start an argument or flame session here) licensing reform to eliminate CW HF requirements, or giving Techs like myself (even though I plan on upgrading to General or Extra around this Spring, even if 5wpm is still necessary) HF requirements could stimulate growth in the hobby. Of course, we could request more use of the 12m or 15m bands (when conditions permit) to alleviate some of the "traffic jam problems" on 20m if the growth worsens them....

Just my 2 cents.

 

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W9WHE @ Jan. 12 2004,09:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1. The government is our mommy, and mommy should allow each and every citizen access to HF by eliminating ALL license requirements. After all, its "not fair" that some have earned HF priveleges and some have not. We are all equal in mommy's eyes.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I have never seen anyone seriously propose this anywhere. The only place this strawman raises its fuzzy little head is from a handful of pro-code-test folks that seem to believe that by attributing an unrealistic, and incorrect, position to the "other" side that they are strengthening their case. IMHO, they are not, and such empty posturing only deepens the division and makes it much less likely that any middle ground could be found.

73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI

 

Hello all. I am the one who started this thread.

I started this thread to see if amateur radio operators would give knowledgeable solutions as to how to get more people not only in the hobby, but to encourage inactive folks to become active again.

Also, I just wanted to see who would follow instructions. Please refer to the following quote from the original post by me:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Now then, it is time for your replies to this article. Instead of bashing me, why not think about it, and offer your own good suggestions as to how you can make ham radio appealing for the non-ham or the new ham.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

It is interesting that a lot of the replies were positive. And most of the personal emails and messages I have recieved were positive.

But, if you look towards the end of all the posts, you begin to see that the turn has been made to negativism. And yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But, the posts at QRZ as well as other sites are there for the world to see. And inactive hams as well as potential hams read them. Also, the general public seeking information on ham radio read them.

I end with this final statement. With what you have posted, are you satisfied with it? If you wife, child, neighbor, or someone who looked up to you read it, would you proudly call it yours?

Thanks for all the posts. It has been a good forum, and a lot of good ideals have been expressed. Let's put them into action!

73 to all!

 

NA4IT,

Thank you for posting the original message. Although 50% of the post here were WORTHLESS BABBLING's of the BOO HOO section. Your post brought forth some great ideas as you had intended. For being thoughtful, you are a credit to Ham radio. You can bet your boots that at least ONE Ham out there will get someone new involved in radio because of your first message. I only wish the other 50% of the Hams here would have gotten the point.

N5USN

 

I have a very good idea, actually it is not my original idea since the HMO's have been using it to rip off Social Security,We need to go to Homeless shelters and soup kitchens and sign up the homeless into Amateur radio, of course they would not be able to assemble a base station, since they have no base, but they could carry around an HT and talk on 2 meters, a lot of people do that and call it Amateur Radio. For those who get help from the Welfare, maybe we could get the state to pay for their ARRL membership, and of course the VEC fees. We could even call it" Incentive Licenseing", to give them incentive to return to normal society, just food for thought, and a way to get warm bodies to save AMATEUR RADIO !!      

 

I think another reason might be my personal experiences at HamFests - well ok I haven't been to many but one in particular stands out last year when I went to the Brazos Valley ham fest and was in their trailor the guys on the HF wouldn't give me the time of day, talk to me, or anything. I was very put off about that. I wanted to try out my general license on HF that day too. And yes, it's a shame like the poster of this article said - about the flame war - totally agree. I also have to agree that the internet / chat rooms fill a lot of voids that may have otherwise kept our ham shacks busy.

My .02cnts anyway.

 

I hope the FCC monitors this situation about to happen or there won't be any LOW BANDS any more. Worry more about this than the dumbing down problem. Worry more about this than No-coder's This is for REAL:

First BPL City
Broadband-via power-line in Manassas

Written by Karl Bode

The nation's first non-trial broadband via power-line city is set to go live next week. Residents of Manassas, Virginia will see speeds between 560 and 840kbps for $27.00 a month - via their electrical outlets. The BPL (broadband via power-line) connectivity is provided by a company called Prospect Street broadband, who just recently completed the first phase of their BPL deployment, reports local news sources. The system will cost the region between $250,000 and $350,000 to implement.

Amateur radio has of course made their concerns heard. In a letter faxed to Manassas Mayor Marvin L. Gillum, ARRL CEO David Sumner warns: "Your advisors no doubt have made the Council fully aware of the great potential for radio interference from such a system." "Tests conducted by ARRL technical personnel have shown that the system planned to be deployed in Manassas causes harmful interference to the Amateur Radio service."

Opponents to such systems argue that broadband over power-line sends wideband radio signals over poorly shielded wires not particularly designed with high-speed internet in mind. The result is that these 2 to 80 MHz signals are broadcast into neighborhoods as if from antennas from every participating power-line, interfering with radio communications (be it amateur or emergency) and polluting HF bands.

The resulting noise, occasionally 10,000 times higher than acceptable levels in some world-wide trials, has in some cases been enough to disable 20-meter monobanders on high-rise buildings, or - in one case in Austria - disable Red Cross communications during an emergency disaster response drill. While there are plenty of trials ongoing in the U.S., Manassas is the first to deploy a city-wide BPL system.

It's estimated that the city of Manassas could bring in $4.5 million over the life of the 10-year contract with Prospect Street Broadband, so the shift toward BPL hasn't seen many delays, interference or not. The remainder of the city is expected to be completely wired with the service within three to four months, according to local officials. Area leaders were quick to vote on city-wide deployment after participants in a local trial were enthusiastic about the system's performance.

The system is utilizing technology from Main.net, a BPL provider that offers related utility connectivity to 40 power utilities in more than 20 countries. There are BPL alternatives whose emissions occur within the unlicensed 5 GHz ISM band (these systems utilize wireless for the last mile), and are less likely to cause interference; one such deployment, which also offers better speeds, is being tested by California Pacific Gas and Electric and Corridor Systems.

According to local officials, roughly four-hundred users have signed up for the service before Prospect Street Broadband even began advertising connectivity. The company indicates it should be able to obtain profitability if ten percent of eligible households sign up for service. Business tiers with speeds up to 1.5mbps are also available.

 

Im not sure resurrect is quite the word.

Perhaps its time for our sport to "evolve".

Amateur radio is really a category of hobbies.

There are those who just like to chat.
Well the internet has absorbed many of those.

There are those who like to tinker (me).

There are those who like to teach (me)

There are those into community service and emergency communications (me)

There are the contesters.

There are the remote operators / dxpeditioners.

There are the foxhunters.

I would say the internet only siphoned off the non serious.

Our numbers are down, yes.
We need to get the numbers back up or comercial interests will use low numbers as an excuse to buy
our spectrum right out from under us.

Im saddened to see the code go, because I like the idea
of people being able to use mirrors in an emergency
when the batteries run down. I also like the idea of it
as a skill to get people out of trouble. The code is a
pain for me, but i still see it as useful. Its also possible
that we may have to sacrifice the code to be able to
keep our space.

Im saddened that most of our operators are now appliance operators who cant repair their own radio.

I also see relief. The new 60 meter allocation comiung
in channelized form, gives us an excuse to see if we can
still scratch build. Dust off the old crystal based designs
from the past are perfect for the new 60 meters.

The excuse is that you cant find parts, everything is
surface mount, synthesized, computerized etc.

The internet lets us order almost any radio parts we need.

Those pesky surface mount chips are useable if you use a jewelers magnifying hood. Imagine, a 3 stage IF on a chip with no transformers needed !

Its easier NOW than ever before to build from scratch.

You dont need a computer in your radio if you dont want one.

Synthesizers are easier than you might think to build.

Make friends with someone who bought a computerized
milling machine on the net. You can turn out exquisite
looking radio gear!

Want an excercise to get kids excited about radio ?
Try a fox hunt! Its fun.

You dont need a license to hunt foxes.
This means you can have unlicensed kids looking for them. It really does get them hooked. Its a game.
Once they are hooked, you can sneak in the rest of the stuff.

Ham radio isnt dead, not if we dont let it die.
We just need to adapt a bit.