If hams are being taught the test, given an exam, and then turned loose,
you get what you deserve... a bunch of untrained, undisciplined folks
who are of very little use (and possibly a determent) to the hobby. For
the clubs that are doing that, shame on them.
We've been doing ham-crams for over a year and have licensed well over
130 new hams. NONE of them have been turned loose and left to flounder
and NONE of them have turned out to be bad hams. Some of them were more
'challenging' than others but they all learn the right way to do things
with proper mentoring. Many of them are First Responders, so they are
already familiar with using the radios. We have to teach them the
theory BEHIND the microphone and deprogram them from using their
'normal' protocols when the pick up the amateur radio microphone, but it
all comes with time.
When I first joined my club 8 years ago, we had 6 or 7 people showing up
to the meetings. We now have 80+ paid members with 45 - 50 showing up
at each meeting. We've put up two new repeaters, become charter members
of a 2-meter Intertie system, have a D-STAR system in the works, added
APRS WX to one repeater site along with a WX Receiver/Warning System.
We're far from perfect, but we've come a LONG way through the
application of a little sweat-equity.
73,
Mike
WM4B
On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 7:51 AM, Joe wrote:
Well, some will be appliance operators, but a few will take an
interest and become the future of ham radio. We need the "head
count" to keep our hobby alive and well. I've seen many new hams
that had no background in electronics get their ticket by memorizing
the test. They then dove into the hobby and became true assets to
the hobby. Others just like to talk, and that's OK too. I guess
I'm and optimist.
Oh, I've been doing this ham radio since 1958, so I think I can say
the above with some creditability.
Welcome to all the new hams, no matter how you got your ticket.
73, Joe, K1ike
On 8/31/2010 1:21 AM, Barry wrote: Much the same on the base permit here
in Au
but what do I know after 30+ years of yabering
___________________________________
To: [email protected]
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From: [email protected]
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Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:09:42 -0400
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Wouxun Radio
Welcome to the new hams that are taught the test and have
no idea what the questions mean.
73
Glenn
WB4UIV
Ham of the old school.
Had to draw schematics and understand what they were about
to get my license.
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