Tired of QRZ or eHam?

Hi Alan,

I've tried, but can't seem to get much feedback. Two winners from QRZ:

a.) Bring back CW as a Ticket Requirement (13 WPM).

b.) Advanced Tickets should be Grandfathered to Extra.

What do you think :o) ?

- Bill - KA6KBC

Not sure whether I care to bring back Morse as a requirement, never really cared for it, but I do think there should be something else to replace it. Something that can't be memorized an hour before taking the test. I watched that happen this weekend. Several new Extra's that can't tell the difference between a transistor or a resistor.
I know there are people who'll want to argue with me over that comment, but I have always held Advanced and Extra as the more technical class. But thats my opinion, sure others are different.

Alan - W4LGH

Hi Alan,

Actually I was kind of Joking - Cw is such a touchy topic in our hobby. It seems to always bring a strong opinion. Thought it would be an interesting Blog Topic. For me - I like CW, but not as good at it as I once was (I took a 20 year break from Ham Radio), but it can still be fun. I've always liked homebrewing and it was easy to build up a Tube or Transistor Version of a CW Transmitter and get it on the air and start talking (I'm an Engineer by Trade and got started in Electronics via Ham Radio). That's what I like about Ham Radio - It is a big Tent Hobby - Lots of things to do - Modes/Gear/Homebrewing.

I know what you are saying about memorizing Test Questions/Answers - Then not knowing anything. Its mixed - We need to Grow our hobby or it will be Gone. With Cell Phones and the Internet - Kids think why mess with the Ham Radio Stuff. We need to get as many people in the hobby as we can, but also keep it technical and smart. The whole hobby has changed since I started in the 80’s, but its still here and “Growing”. We need to keep pushing it forward. The Advance Test was hard back when I took it. Almost as difficult as the FCC GROL I took a few years later.

Thanks,

Bill - KA6KBC - 73's

Well I see lots of views, but no posts?? How come?
Would love to get an interesting threat going here.

Come on guys and POST!!

One of the interesting things about these various forums for radio amateurs is the one-sided BIAS that some use to uphold some kind of "civility" and "decorum"...which always boils down to doing it they way the "civil, decorous" person does amateur radio.

E-Ham.net is now a sore point to me. For four days I've been locked out of posting anything...with no explanation, not even after repeated requests for why that was done. Even as a paying subscriber to e-ham, I am invisible.

I can understand being "suspended" (for 6 months) on newsgroup rec.radio.amateur.moderated since I've always been at odds with the chieftan over there, Paul Schleck since about 4 years ago. That was in public, not just in private e-mail. rec.radio.amateur.moderated is winding down to just the old-time extras posting back and forth. NO ONE is allowed to talk back to them even when they violate their own Rules.

Since e-ham.net will allow anyone to post under an assumed name, I can't see this tolerance for bootlegging of identities. I am me, always have been, and I've never had another amateur radio license before 7 March 2007.

Too many want to "live" in a fantasy world and escape to stylized format of "manners, civility, decorum" as "all should do." There just isn't a place for rebels with a cause or those who want to "push the envelope" to do something different...and certainly NOT to change FCC Regulations that jeopardizes Their standing in the amateur community. Sheesh...

73, Len AF6AY