Online course

With the introduction of a technician license becoming available through an online course, how long before we see the requirements disappear for those frequencies and radios sold that are only capable of sending and receiving in non programmable channels? Much like C/B radios are. It seems that it may be a good way to get people interested in amateur radio if they can just buy it and start using it.

 

They can "buy it and just start using it" on CB already. No reason to bring amateur radio down to that level.

 

But it would increase interest and grow the community?

 

The only thing that grows for the sake of growth is a cancer. And a government. Both the same.

 

Just what Amateur radio needs,............... a radio with preset frequencies for CW on 80 meters.................... sigh

FWIW.............. Just about any HF rig has memories presets that can be programmed to your favorite HF "channel".

 

If they are too dumb to program a few memories then CB, MURS, GMRS, and FRS await them. I also don't get the online test reference, if I can past a test in one spot or drive an hour and pass it there I think my knowledge or lack thereof is about the same.

 

Just seemed like a positive step to me. Alot of people would buy a radio and participate /communicate through repeaters if there wasn't a license they had to study for and pay to get. For most of us, it's not worth the hassle, owning a technician license and a 25 dollar baofeng hasnt really changed anyone's lives.

 

And grow it into the communications garbage pit that CB became, which we already have some of that on the ham bands. No thanks!

Bill - K5MIL

 

All this online hoopla has done, is brought out of the woodwork all the prepper (zombie apocalypse people) who have no interest in the actual hobby. All they want is a $25 HT in their Walking Dead backpack that will never be keyed until the horde shows up in their hood.

As if it would even matter if you are licensed at that point.

 

How so?