Pages: 1 2 [3] 4   Go Down

Author Topic: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees  (Read 12931 times)

K3UIM

  • Member
  • Posts: 2145
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #30 on: December 25, 2018, 11:10:03 PM »

"you want something bad enough, you will put effort into it".
Today is the entitlement age and it really shows! The novice test of years ago took months of hard work and then working just as hard for the General, but now it seems to be getting taken away a piece at a time. The ultimate goal, for us guys, was to get good enough to get rid of 75 lousy watts, crystal control, etc. (Oh, the flexibility of a VFO!!)  We would get the whole band to work in as a General and hopefully we'd study even harder for the Advanced or Extra.
But … sigh …
Charlie, K3UIM
Logged
Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

KC4SZ

  • Posts: 6
    • HomeURL
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #31 on: December 26, 2018, 09:34:32 AM »

I just took a sample exam for the British Foundation License. It is remarkably similar to our Technician, indeed, perhaps less technical and even less math than our exams. However, they require their newbies to complete an in-person course that takes 10-12 hours to complete. Part of that time is a practical exam/instruction.

After passing the Foundation, they are granted most HF and VHF frequencies - all but the LF and VLF bands and 60 meters. They do not have band segments by mode, so the Foundation licensees can operate basically anywhere with any mode they desire, like the higher level licensees. They are limited to 10 watts.


I think granting our Techs some more useful HF frequencies is long overdue. We never should have stranded our newbies on the VHF bands to start with. It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned out to be a mistake.


I've wondered whether the VHF/UHF bands would ever have developed the way they have if the Techs had greater HF access.  Packet, ATV, satellite and more blossomed because of the number of Techs who experimented in the VHf/UHF range.  They took a "limitation" and made the most of it, and in doing not only did amateur radio as a whole benefit, but also the gearmakers profited by mass-producing VHF/UHF gear for an expanded market based on what the Techs accomplished.  

I remember a time when "ten meter mobile" was the local comm mode because the ham world was mainly focused in the low bands.  The high bands were not that popular because the range was too limited.  It was the Techs who brought 2 meters to the mobile forefront and made repeaters popular. The proliferation of Techs from the Novice rolls (5 to13 wpm in front of an FCC examiner at an FCC field office blocked many) resulted in theory-savvy hams using their knowledge and skill in band regions not popular with the DX-centric low-banders.  Yes, there were General-Advanced-Extra folk exploring the VHF-and-above frontier, but Techs by their sheer numbers made it all truly happen.

Having band-specific, or at least band-restrictive licensing may not be all bad.  The hobby is more than just operating and collecting contacts, and the Techs of old are a good example of a major side benefit of incentive licensing - high-band exploration and mode development.  

Later this week I'll be out in the back yard trying to work a couple satellites using VHF-UHF crossband FM.  I thank the Techs of old for making these bands popular and broadly usable.

« Last Edit: December 26, 2018, 09:37:29 AM by W4SJZ »
Logged

NO2A

  • Member
  • Posts: 1400
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #32 on: January 06, 2019, 03:57:07 PM »

The Technician license was always promoted as a rung on a ladder leading to higher privileges.  Now ARRL wants to promote it as the next to top step.  My response to the ARRL - NO!  It is NOT needed at all.  Spend a little more time studying and get the General. 
Years ago it Was the same test as the General. Only difference was the 5 w.p.m. code test,instead of 13 w.p.m.
As I remember, the General test was mainly knowing the 3 different types of oscillator circuits. Have no idea what it's like today. .. ???
Logged

W1VT

  • Member
  • Posts: 6071
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #33 on: January 09, 2019, 06:43:57 AM »

Yes, that is what I did.  I passed the Technician class exam with a 5 wpm code test.  Then, before I got on the air, I passed the 13 wpm test to get my General class ticket in 1978.

Around six months later I passed a 20 wpm code test and two written exams to get my Extra class license, in one sitting, without a calculator or slide rule.  I was 15.  I can still calculate square roots with pencil and paper.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2019, 06:52:23 AM by W1VT »
Logged

KG9ZTX

  • Member
  • Posts: 65
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #34 on: February 18, 2019, 04:31:26 PM »

As a tech I would like to see more open up tours for voice on 10 meter. The rest of the bands I don’t care about at this time as I only use my radios for communication while I am traveling or communicating with my friends while doing one of my other hobbies of off reading, hiking, camping, hunting, etc... and mainly in areas with limited to no cell coverage.

I haven’t really seen the other bands available for use on HT’s or even much in mobile units, although there are a couple, Just like 1.25 meter, 33cm, and 23cm are rare to find in mobiles.
Yet those three bands are easier to find in ht’s go figure.

As a tech, I’d just like to see more open up in 10 meter for voice. But even then probably wouldn’t use it much as like the three other uhf bands, we probably won’t see it much in the mobiles and Ht’s that I would want to have it in to use.
Logged

N4OI

  • Member
  • Posts: 434
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #35 on: April 11, 2019, 03:37:37 PM »

HI.  I've been busy and may have missed it, but is there any status update on this request?  For example, is the comment period still open?  How are the comments trending?  Has the ARRL or FCC provided any additional communications?  Enquiring minds want to know...   ???

73
Logged

W4KVW

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #36 on: April 24, 2019, 06:03:56 PM »

ARRL=Amateur Radios Real Losers. Lets just give all of the bands away & we won't worry about it any longer in a few months it will all be just one big 11 meter band. Noise Toys,Roger Beeps,& Echo Microphones for everyone. All the ARRL cares about is membership dollars sticking out of their pockets & if it takes just giving the bands away then they are all for it. If the Techs want more band space all they need to do is UPGRADE. I see 5 year old kids upgrading quiet often & 10 year old Extra Class hams so it is nothing but another excuse for a FREE Give Away. Get off your lazy A-- & earn something in your life for once & it will make you feel good.

Clayton
W4KVW
Logged

K4EMF

  • Member
  • Posts: 413
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #37 on: April 24, 2019, 07:18:29 PM »

ARRL=Amateur Radios Real Losers. Lets just give all of the bands away & we won't worry about it any longer in a few months it will all be just one big 11 meter band. Noise Toys,Roger Beeps,& Echo Microphones for everyone. All the ARRL cares about is membership dollars sticking out of their pockets & if it takes just giving the bands away then they are all for it. If the Techs want more band space all they need to do is UPGRADE. I see 5 year old kids upgrading quiet often & 10 year old Extra Class hams so it is nothing but another excuse for a FREE Give Away. Get off your lazy A-- & earn something in your life for once & it will make you feel good.

Clayton
W4KVW

I might have said it a little differently.  But as someone who got his original General class back when 13 wpm CW was required.

I tend to agree.   And I say that while I'm struggling to make headway studying for the Extra class exam.   I just don't have the electronics background
that would make this one as easily attainable as the tech and general were.  But I would not dream of asking the ARRL or the FCC to just give me more privileges simply because I'm having trouble earning them.
Logged

KB9BVN

  • Member
  • Posts: 184
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #38 on: April 25, 2019, 07:26:55 AM »

The FCC has denied this request at least two times in the past...I think it will get denied again and for the same reason.  The upgrade path from Technician to General is already very simple and straight forward. 
Logged

N9FB

  • Member
  • Posts: 2702
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #39 on: April 25, 2019, 03:28:36 PM »

I might have said it a little differently.  But as someone who got his original General class back when 13 wpm CW was required.

I tend to agree.   And I say that while I'm struggling to make headway studying for the Extra class exam.   I just don't have the electronics background
that would make this one as easily attainable as the tech and general were.  But I would not dream of asking the ARRL or the FCC to just give me more privileges simply because I'm having trouble earning them.

if you haven't already, i recommend you try the free trial subscription at www.hamtestonline.com

this software presents the study material to you and continually tests you with actual FCC exam questions, and then over-trains you in your weak areas based on the results. 
after trying it out for free, you will want to pay for a subscription so you have access to the full training material for the exam.  keep in mind you wont need to purchase any other materials to study from, it makes learning the material more fun than a chore, and you will *know* when you are ready to pass.

check out the eham reviews of it at https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3412

when 768 hams all agree and give something 5 out of 5 stars -- it is a fairly safe bet that it is a pretty good product ;)
Logged
"When you throw dirt, you lose ground."

SOFAR

  • Member
  • Posts: 1640
Logged

ONAIR

  • Member
  • Posts: 3823
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #41 on: April 25, 2019, 06:26:44 PM »

Unfortunately money talks, and the ARRL and radio manufacturers want more of it.
Logged

K4EMF

  • Member
  • Posts: 413
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #42 on: April 26, 2019, 04:27:23 AM »

Unfortunately money talks, and the ARRL and radio manufacturers want more of it.

I'm old enough to remember when the ARRL had more integrity than that but then I am pushing 60, so.......
Logged

W9IQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 8866
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #43 on: April 26, 2019, 04:51:27 AM »

While you may not agree with the privilege proposal, to suggest that the proposal shows a lack of integrity by the ARRL is sophmoric.

The ARRL clearly states that its purpose is to support the awareness and growth of Amateur Radio worldwide as well as striving for every member to get involved, get active, and get on the air.

Growth in ham radio licensee counts, growth in membership in ARRL, and growth in the amateur radio commercial eco system are all desirable outcomes if our frequency allocations, and ultimately our hobby, is to survive.

- Glenn W9IQ
Logged
- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

NK7Z

  • Member
  • Posts: 2525
    • Amateur Radio: RFI help, Reviews, Setup information, and more...
RE: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees
« Reply #44 on: April 26, 2019, 06:22:35 AM »

Well stated Glenn!
Logged
Thanks,
Dave
Amateur Radio: RFI help, Reviews, Setup information, and more...
https://www.nk7z.net
Pages: 1 2 [3] 4   Go Up