I'm surprised this wasn't thoroughly covered on the Extra Class exam.
What a jerk response. I studied the minimum amount needed to pass the exam. Most of what's required to pass the exam is not useful and/or not required.
Except when it suddenly
is. I'm not saying this to be mean—far from it—I think most of us here are willing to Elmer new DXers, but if one writes the Extra Class exam it's expected that that person will operate HF at some point, and a
reasonable knowledge of propagation fundamentals is to be expected out of the gate.
Just as we know a fair bit about electrical and electronic theory, it's likely not enough for many of us (including me) to design complex circuitry. Basically enough to troubleshoot a discreet-component radio and not get a case of the deads from an amplifier or power supply. The license is indeed the proverbial license to learn, but quite honestly before using one's privileges there really is a minimum level of knowledge that one should endevour to retain, specifically as it pertains to day-to-day operation.
I have personally never needed or indeed had the slightest use for a Smith Chart, but I had to memorize the damned things for the test. I've forgotten everything about them, but I know where to go in the unlikely event that I'll need to use one someday. Understanding gains and losses in multiples-of-three should be second nature (a 100W transmitter with an added 12dB boost from an amplifier, leading into 300 feet of feedline that has 2dB loss per hundred feet, what's your approximate ERP going to be), as should things like phone types on HF (LSB on 40 and down, USB on 20 and up), how to set your ALC properly for SSB and digital modes, how to
use digital modes properly and not cause QRM, how to build a station to maximize your incoming signal with good engineering practice, how to ground for both electrical and lightning safety and for best RF performance.
What I find unfortunate is that there are so few opportunities for new hams to learn what is needed for the test but also for daily use. I don't expect J. Random Ham to give a dissertation on solar physics, but, and again I don't mean to sound nasty about this, basic understanding of HF propagation really is something that you will deal with every single day as a DXer, and is something that quite honestly should have been highlighted during your studies as you readied yourself for examination. My comments are more an indictment of the lax exam standards, but they also reinforce my belief that memorizing the right answers is not the best path forward.
That has been my advice to numerous hams: study the minimum required to pass the test, get into the hobby, and then learn in the areas that you enjoy. That's precisely what I'm doing. I never cared about propagation before, but now I'm wondering about it so I came here for some advice to help me learn.
I just feel that that isn't the best way to equip yourself with the basic knowledge needed to operate your station effectively. Did you only do the minimum on your P. Eng certifications? What about in your engineering ethics classes? I certainly don't want a
civil engineer reviewing my new tower plans to have taken that route in university, or wet stamp them based on generalized assumptions rather than knowing all the maths and taking measurements of my soil, etc.
Even if I had learned every single topic with great detail for the exam, I certainly wouldn't remember it all. I have a masters degree in electrical engineering and yet I'm constantly learning as part of my job because technology continuously advances.
But you did have to actually learn and
retain the basics of your profession, or else I'd argue you'd be a poor engineer. You're quite correct that it's not really possible to memorize every facet of the test prep, but there really IS a minimum standard that you will need, and I'd respectfully argue that HF prop is near the top of the list for an active Extra Class ham, especially one who wishes to learn the Wisdom of the Ages and build toward DXing awards. You'll gain the finer details as you operate in the coming years; when to look for Asia or Europe, that east-coast NA to east-coast Australia is generally better long path in our late afternoons, and so on. That you get from practice. But "lowbands at night, 30 all-day-long, 20-and-up during the day is a great place to start, and knowing the 101-level basics of why will aid your understanding.
Thankfully there are other nice people who were willing to share information so I can learn. I hope that you responded the way you did because you're having a bad day and that you're normally a pleasant person.
Naw, probably not. Think somewhere between Ron Swanson and Al Bundy <grin>.