I have to laugh whenever I hear that the Ham License was "dumbed down". Morse Code requires a skill (which I confess I lack), not knowledge.
Here's the funny thing: every time I encounter an operator (and let's call them just that) especially on HF with poor operating practice, which is usually nailed on the new no code crop of hams, I find them to be Extra license holders that are way beyond my age which means they had to pass the code test :).
73 Mike
On Oct 22, 2011, at 2:34 PM, Joe Leikhim wrote:
I have to laugh whenever I hear that the Ham License was "dumbed down". Morse Code requires a skill (which I confess I lack), not knowledge.
-- Joe Leikhim
K4SAT
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I just wish a could have had a free pass when I went after the 1st class radio telephone back in 1967.
John, Yes, things change. So we know how to neutralize an amplifier. Life changes and we need to adapt to the present World or sit in a rocking chair and watch it go by. Amateur Radio still provides many opportunities to learn as long as we are willing to put forth an effort to learn new things. Satellite modes are only one of the many modes of operation available to us. Enjoy them while we still can, and pity those that no longer can.
Art, KC6QUH
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of John Becker Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 1:39 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: knowledge required
I just wish a could have had a free pass when I went after the 1st class radio telephone back in 1967.
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6566 (20111022) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6566 (20111022) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
Words of Wisdom!
Life is too short to waste it in the past. Unfortunately, too many are trapped in their "good old days" mentality. What a pitty and waste.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Sat, Oct 22, 2011 at 4:00 PM, Art McBride kc6uqh@cox.net wrote:
John, Yes, things change. So we know how to neutralize an amplifier. Life changes and we need to adapt to the present World or sit in a rocking chair and watch it go by. Amateur Radio still provides many opportunities to learn as long as we are willing to put forth an effort to learn new things. Satellite modes are only one of the many modes of operation available to us. Enjoy them while we still can, and pity those that no longer can.
Art, KC6QUH
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of John Becker Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 1:39 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: knowledge required
I just wish a could have had a free pass when I went after the 1st class radio telephone back in 1967.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6566 (20111022) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6566 (20111022) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Words of Wisdom!
Life is too short to waste it in the past. Unfortunately, too many are trapped in their "good old days" mentality. What a pitty and waste.
Stefan, VE4NSA
As in any society there is always conflicting relationship between ages group. For one some are too old and they are living in the past, and for others they are too young inexperienced claiming their way is the way to go.
Acquiring and gaining experience take's time and patience but today we want immediate results "Plug and play era" discarding others past experiences.
It's not a question of skills and competence it's a question of minding and learning. Taking short cuts to achieved lower goals can only lead after couple years to disappointments and lack of interest. That's why those who where lucky to work on HEO satellite says it's the only one way to go if we want to create a sustainable critical mass of skilled amateur satellite operator.
It's the very true nature of Ham radio to communicate over the greatest distance "DX" those who are satisfied by the fact they can reach a space cube are in a learning process. That's why those cube sat should be considered an entry class satellite. Exponentially increasing entry class satellite does not provided on the long term any viable solution aside of saving the furniture.IMHO.
Lets say the better than nothing minding who should be considered as a way to deal with exception is now a standard.
If we want to know where to go we should always also know where we come from! If finding an affordable HEO launcher is an obstacle trying to avoid instead of facing the obstacle is not a solution its'a more a lack of courage and faith than anything else that's why AMSAT-DL are still engaged toward P3E and Mars. It takes time and patience.
Ask those who are working EME why they spent a lot of time and money to achieved their goals? they will all tell you this the only way to go if we want to be able to work the moon HT'S and rubber duckies and tape measure antenna are not enough to reach the far distant moon and the ultimate "DX" contact. If you just bear in mind this you will be able to understand why those "old" operators wants for you "increased your range of communication in time and distance" they only wished that you can also enjoyed world-wide communication through satellites. The chosen words are not always what they should be but bottom line they are only want the best for you.
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE HTTP://www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE
Yes! Let's don't overlook the fact that designing and building an EasySat CubeSat also gives us the opportunity to explore, learn, and try out new technologies that can be later used for higher satellites when the opportunity comes, and expanded functionality on LEOs as well. I don't think AMSAT-NA is stuck in a dumbing down, or a "good old days" mentality, I think we're taking the lemons we have (although I don't for a minute consider ANY opportunity to build a satellite as lemons) and making lemonade, if you will. The art is still advancing. The fact is, it has advanced so far that it seems so EASY to many people (as did the Space Shuttle) that it appeared not much of a feat to send one up a few times a year. A handheld radio and a handheld antenna... "old timers" (and I'm one of them) would never have dreamed that they could reliably communicate over a 2000 mile path through a satellite with such ease and such simple gear, 50 years ago!
By the way, 50 years ago Oscar 1 was launched and it was an amazing feat. Just 4 years after the first satellite ever was launched, hams were in space! We do this voluntarily, we do it because we love it, we do it "because it's there". That's what makes Amateur Radio so fun!
73, Jerry N0JY
On 10/23/2011 4:27 AM, Luc Leblanc wrote:
Words of Wisdom!
Life is too short to waste it in the past. Unfortunately, too many are trapped in their "good old days" mentality. What a pitty and waste.
Stefan, VE4NSA
As in any society there is always conflicting relationship between ages group. For one some are too old and they are living in the past, and for others they are too young inexperienced claiming their way is the way to go.
Acquiring and gaining experience take's time and patience but today we want immediate results "Plug and play era" discarding others past experiences.
It's not a question of skills and competence it's a question of minding and learning. Taking short cuts to achieved lower goals can only lead after couple years to disappointments and lack of interest. That's why those who where lucky to work on HEO satellite says it's the only one way to go if we want to create a sustainable critical mass of skilled amateur satellite operator.
It's the very true nature of Ham radio to communicate over the greatest distance "DX" those who are satisfied by the fact they can reach a space cube are in a learning process. That's why those cube sat should be considered an entry class satellite. Exponentially increasing entry class satellite does not provided on the long term any viable solution aside of saving the furniture.IMHO.
Lets say the better than nothing minding who should be considered as a way to deal with exception is now a standard.
If we want to know where to go we should always also know where we come from! If finding an affordable HEO launcher is an obstacle trying to avoid instead of facing the obstacle is not a solution its'a more a lack of courage and faith than anything else that's why AMSAT-DL are still engaged toward P3E and Mars. It takes time and patience.
Ask those who are working EME why they spent a lot of time and money to achieved their goals? they will all tell you this the only way to go if we want to be able to work the moon HT'S and rubber duckies and tape measure antenna are not enough to reach the far distant moon and the ultimate "DX" contact. If you just bear in mind this you will be able to understand why those "old" operators wants for you "increased your range of communication in time and distance" they only wished that you can also enjoyed world-wide communication through satellites. The chosen words are not always what they should be but bottom line they are only want the best for you.
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE HTTP://www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE
Jerry,
On Oct 23, 2011, at 10:44 AM, N0JY wrote:
Yes! Let's don't overlook the fact that designing and building an EasySat CubeSat also gives us the opportunity to explore, learn, and try out new technologies that can be later used for higher satellites when the opportunity comes, and expanded functionality on LEOs as well. I don't think AMSAT-NA is stuck in a dumbing down, or a "good old days" mentality, I think we're taking the lemons we have (although I don't for a minute consider ANY opportunity to build a satellite as lemons)
I don't think this discussion is about AMSAT-NA/DL/UK you name it being stuck in that discussion. I do believe that actually the people that matter are rather busy driving change than waste their time and energy complaining about the idiots that come to ham radio today. They don't have time for that. This discussion is more about the negativity spewed by some people within this hobby (not just the satellite community) and how it is distracting and potentially driving away people that consider twice where to spend their spare time. If I were 20 years old right now and I would have to decide if I would like to spend my time with some 80+ year olds who don't do more than spill "Get OFF my lawn" comments rather than share their wisdom or I could spend my time building let's say software and spending my time with people who are constantly interested in pushing boundaries and sharing their experience (e.g. the Open Source community) than it would be an easy call. And that's what's happening. Is it much more exciting to build software vs. a radio? Maybe, maybe not. But if we as a community fail to share the passion about this very fact, we loose. This whole dumbing down of the license requirements is getting old quick. I'd rather have 20 amateurs who don't know CW but have the knack for building stuff than one great 30wpm CW operator who couldn't distinguish a resistor from a transformer if his life depended on it (this was an example to make a point for those folks on the literal Internet train).
73 Mike K5TRI
All in the name of "political correctness" the FCC in all their (lack) of wisdom did away with the requirement of the FCC 1st or 2nd class licence to work at a TV or AM FM radio station and repair a 2 way radio. As well as dumb-ing down the ham service. 10-4 ?
The only thing it did for folks like myself with such was guarantee a job for life. it was not until the FCC fines started coming in for such silly things as signal off freq - too wide - audio to hi or low. color burst hi, low, off freq.
Then many of the stations went back to requiring one to get a job on their own.
At that point many required certification from the SBE (society of broadcast engineers) who did require the license. That did 2 things left the station off the hook and made sure they was getting someone that knew their stuff. To counter what the station had done the FCC then did away with the license once and for all . again in the name of political correctness. That was about the time I up and quit. I was not about to be a sitter and fixing other peoples SNAFU.
I still have mine and it's good for life.
There just is no replacement for knowledge.
John
On Oct 23, 2011, at 11:36 AM, John Becker wrote:
There just is no replacement for knowledge.
And I don't think anybody here is debating that very fact. But it's about how one does acquire said knowledge. Most of what I know I learned either by making mistakes, listening to great folks who liked to share their knowledge or simply by studying things out of passion. The only thing I ever learned from people who were only negative and complaining was that such behavior is a waste of time and energy and doesn't do anybody any good.
But I think we've beaten a dead horse now so many times that it almost wants to be alive just to run away and die somewhere else in silence :).
--... ...-- -.. . Mike K5TRI
participants (7)
-
Art McBride -
Joe Leikhim -
John Becker -
Luc Leblanc -
Michael Schulz -
N0JY -
Stefan Wagener