Do modern ham's lack tech know how ?

[Antoni]

Looks like we're going American faster than I thought. Irony never existed there and now it's dying here.

[Octane Red]

It peaked here in the Georgian era, then again in 1987.... "Its like Goldy or Bronzy, only made out of iron"....

Now its a lost art....

[dc260]

Genuine question, one of the things that often gets told to new operators is that if you are annoyed by the limitations on CB + 446 (Low power, only limited DX opportunity windows) you should obtain your amateur radio license for access to more bands and people to talk to, no mention of having to be an expert/tech wizard to be part of it.

So I don't understand what the problem is ? What do you expect someone who might just want to use the radio to chat but nobody on their area is on 446/cb to do ? What's wrong with them studying for a foundation license even if they are not an expert ?

The hobby is dying in terms of numbers, is it really in everyones best interest to gate keep ham further ? I really don't see a problem if people obtain a ham license just to talk socially.

[Transwarp]

There isn't a problem, only those who 'think' they're superior have a problem, and those who come onto the airwaves just to mess about, cause trouble, make problems and such - licenced or not. All the just mentioned though ain't confined to radio, they're everywhere in life.

The Darwin principle every time.

[NightProwler]

Im an M6 and proud Im a good operator, I try my best to run a clean station and cause no issues with anyone, I just want to DX

[Transwarp]

Im an M6 and proud Im a good operator, I try my best to run a clean station and cause no issues with anyone, I just want to DX

Been an M3 for almost quarter of a century and I've heard and had all the comments about being a foundation licence sitter, not progressing, holding the hobby back etc etc, then the remarks about if progressed wouldn't need to ask about technical stuff and so on. Just BS and arrogance, no sincerity whatsoever, no wonder such behaviour types put some folk off from continuing.

Me? I gave, and continue to give, the middle digit to that mentality and get on with radio in my way for my enjoyment, unfettered by such characters because what they had / have to say ain't worth listening to or knowing.

Society would so much better if folk just took time to understand and help each other without any drama.

Is that a utopia though?

[Buick Mackane]

Been an M3 for almost quarter of a century

What? Eh ? Your barred!!!! Wait a min. Ive been a 2M0 for roughly the same amount of time Now an MM9

[Transwarp]

Lot of respect for the intermediates Buick, when l was learning a few l knew were very helpful and down to earth. That's not to say full licence holders were all down their own noses of course.

The 2 letter 0 / 2 letter 1 designation for intermeeds l've always liked - distinctive.

[Buick Mackane]

Lot of respect for the intermediates Buick, when l was learning a few l knew were very helpful and down to earth. That's not to say full licence holders were all down their own noses of course.

The 2 letter 0 / 2 letter 1 designation for intermeeds l've always liked - distinctive.

MM9's are fairly new. I recently changed over from 2m0. Only thing is when you change your call from 2E0 2M0 etc to a M9 or MM9 they revoke your foundation callsign which i always keep active but never actually used on air so no big deal, I think these days ofcom only allow one callsign per person

[Transwarp]

Nah, if l was an intermeed l wouldn't switch mine to the new M series for, as put it's distinctive, but each to their own of course

[Buick Mackane]

Nah, if l was an intermeed l wouldn't switch mine to the new M series for, as put it's distinctive, but each to their own of course

Yeah it is distinctive, But the letters in my 2m0 suffix meant nothing and i wanted a more personal callsign

[Stronty]

At the risk of drifting off completely while still staying relevant to the subject matter here's what stalled it for me, being licenced, that is.

It was more than frustrating how difficult they used to make sitting the foundation, find a club, attend some classes, sit an invigilator led exam. There was no way or practical way to do it without aligning to a club. I wasn't interested in a club and felt disingenuous when eventually I bit the bullet and put up with attending one. However, the people were great and I did partake in person to the club nights and extra time for the licence classes BUT it wasn't and isn't for me. I had 2 bad experiences with "clubs" who frankly couldn't organise a coffee in a room full of coffee vending machines. Just cliques with little or no new members joining and promises to set up exams but then not and so on and so forth.

As far as technical knowledge I didn't pick up anything I couldn't have got from a message board or online somewhere or indeed the book I foolishly purchased or most importantly already knew. Technical ability was not taught as such. You were however taught how to pass the exam which is different, of course.

I therefore never took things further for a while until things changed many years later around the onset of the Covid Era. That brought some distance learning and remote exam options which is fantastic and although I haven't looked recently I believe are still in place? happy to be corrected.

Again though the emphasis regarding examination was about how to pass not really about instilling knowledge, though I admit some elements get more interesting but don't really examine if you know the detail or whether you know it by rote and that's the chasm I suppose.

More inclusive, easier to sit exams, no requirement for clubs or society's and most importantly a willingness to learn from others no matter what the medium is online, on air or in person if that's your thing. The last thing that this pastime requires is Kenitalls and Richard heads.

[Transwarp]

Nah, if l was an intermeed l wouldn't switch mine to the new M series for, as put it's distinctive, but each to their own of course

Yeah it is distinctive, But the letters in my 2m0 suffix meant nothing and i wanted a more personal callsign

You got a personal vehicle reg plate also?