I disagree. The Extra written exam is significantly harder today than
it was 30 years ago. There is a lot more detailed EE theory in it now
than there was back then. I took the test twice - in 1974, when I
didn't have the EE knowledge (but _was_ a student in EE), and last
October (well after earning my degrees). This one was far harder than
the first try, even if I did miss only two questions. The degrees, 25
years of EE/CS experience and a lot of advanced experimentation in
digital communication modes (both in ham radio and professionally)
really helped. The only way I could see non-technical folks passing
the exam is to memorize all the questions/answers.
I believe that it is important to keep the Extra test hard - with
advanced technology questions. But is CW important for the exam?
Probably about as much as knowing which PN codes are the best for
Spread Spectrum, and why. Or maybe why FEC is used in data
transmissions and how to design a good scheme. Perhaps things like
that should be on the exam...
The use of CW is an important and very enjoyable part of ham radio,
just as much as any other mode. At this point it is important for us
to once again fill the bands with CW, voice and data transmissions or
we will start to lose them (as is being attempted by the BPL folks).
If it takes deleting the CW requirement to accomplish that, then go
for it!
On Sep 2, 2005, at 9:23 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
There was a time when getting an extra class license in the USA
required
first having years of experience as an Amateur Radio licensee, then
passing
tests significantly harder than the those for the other exams, both
theory
and code.
The "Extra" was something one expected only those who had done a
lot of
self-study and work, or someone who had a good technical school
education
would try for.
Times change...
Ron AC7AC
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