The Morse Code requirement is DEAD!!!

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

That doesnt seem fair..... PPL who have a TECH+ license should have General privlidges (They did more to get that "+" class)

Not if you didn't pass the GENERAL WRITTEN exam or haven't tested for it yet.

The ruling is fair to me.

Cheers

Pat, KB0OXD

 

[CW]

10-4 goodbuddy!! 2 meters is the new CB band anyway. I hear more junk on 2, including "Hey-4, Rodge-o, What's yer 20, come-on" Different world as to the mid 80's....WOW! :'(

This past week, I finally heard it....an ECHO box on a user on a 10mtr rptr!!! Im suprised he knows how to select the rptr shift; probably a new codeless Extra who doesnt know a damn thing about how a radio works..... DAMN there goes the hobby when the CB crap shows up on the bands...and the echo boxes DO NOTHING for communications.....what a joke.

 

[KeithE4]

This past week, I finally heard it....an ECHO box on a user on a 10mtr rptr!!! Im suprised he knows how to select the rptr shift; probably a new codeless Extra who doesnt know a damn thing about how a radio works..... DAMN there goes the hobby when the CB crap shows up on the bands...and the echo boxes DO NOTHING for communications.....what a joke.

What does the skill (or lack thereof) in International Morse Code have to do with how much an Extra Class licensee knows about radio? The written test is still pretty comprehensive, although it's certainly not at the level of an EE degree.

I'm willing to bet that a good number of 20wpm Extras who got their tickets 30 years ago or more couldn't pass the current test if they were required to retake it. Those more-recent Extras who memorized the questions rather instead of actually learning electronic theory would have the same trouble.

 

[CW]

This past week, I finally heard it....an ECHO box on a user on a 10mtr rptr!!! Im suprised he knows how to select the rptr shift; probably a new codeless Extra who doesnt know a damn thing about how a radio works..... DAMN there goes the hobby when the CB crap shows up on the bands...and the echo boxes DO NOTHING for communications.....what a joke.

What does the skill (or lack thereof) in International Morse Code have to do with how much an Extra Class licensee knows about radio? The written test is still pretty comprehensive, although it's certainly not at the level of an EE degree.

I'm willing to bet that a good number of 20wpm Extras who got their tickets 30 years ago or more couldn't pass the current test if they were required to retake it. Those more-recent Extras who memorized the questions rather instead of actually learning electronic theory would have the same trouble.

Your statement wont bring any arguments from me....but I didnt mention anything about lack of code or Extra Class (could have been a General or even a Tech from a crossbanded rptr).......I DO wish the test was more technical; however, I flunked my 1st try at the new Extra....and a Tech sitting across from me who doesnt know a thing about radio passed it because he memorized the answers from the study guide (GGGGGRRRRR)..I just wish the FCC would not GIVE out the answers (make people THINK, dont allow them to memorize the tests! I passed my old Second Phone after reading a study guide that was CLOSE but not exact...had to WORK out the problems to get the right answer)...BUT at least I can show I passed the Advanced 30+ years ago the hard way

 

[KeithE4]

Your statement wont bring any arguments from me....but I didnt mention anything about lack of code or Extra Class (could have been a General or even a Tech from a crossbanded rptr).......I DO wish the test was more technical; however, I flunked my 1st try at the new Extra....and a Tech sitting across from me who doesnt know a thing about radio passed it because he memorized the answers from the study guide (GGGGGRRRRR)..I just wish the FCC would not GIVE out the answers (make people THINK, dont allow them to memorize the tests! I passed my old Second Phone after reading a study guide that was CLOSE but not exact...had to WORK out the problems to get the right answer)...BUT at least I can show I passed the Advanced 30+ years ago the hard way

Sounds like that guy is the ham equivalent of an MCSE. ;D

In any case, from what I remember when I took my Advanced test 35 years ago, the Extra written test was roughly equivalent to at least the First Phone in difficulty level. In fact, I remember guys back then saying that if you had an Extra Class ham license, you knew almost as much as someone with an Associates Degree in Electronics Technology (which, for the record, I received in 1975 but I never did take the Extra test).

That should be the case today, although the last sample test I took was much easier. This shouldn't be. If the FCC wants to not "dumb down" a ham license, make the written test harder - at least to the level it was back in the '70s, only with more modern technology. For example, they could eliminate the tube theory but include questions on RF exposure, UHF/microwave circuits, & digital modes and how they're generated (BPSK, QPSK, OFDM, etc.).