[cfgeeks] [QRP-L] Re: A reflection on some responses to the licensing change

[Kevin P. Inscoe]

----- Forwarded message from Monty N5ESE <n5ese at io.com> -----

Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 09:43:36 -0600 (CST)
From: Monty N5ESE <n5ese at io.com>
To: Jason White <jason at jason.white.name>
Cc: "qrp-l - qth.net" <qrp-l at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [QRP-L] Re: A reflection on some responses to the licensing change
Reply-To: n5ese at io.com

Jason:

Thanks for a very thoughtfully composed message.

I'm totally with you on all points, and I hope all hams will take it to
heart.

73,
monty  N5ESE
http://www.dit-dididit-dit.com

***** Original Message from ' Jason White' follows *****
> Based on the discourse that's followed the pre-announcement of the end
> of morse testing for an amateur license in the US I've never been so
> discouraged with the state of my favorite hobby.
>
> Many of you are professing views that I can only relate to a college
> fraternity. "I had to do it to get in, they should too!" The error in
> this line of thinking is that eventually no one is seen as good enough.
> You'll end up resenting even the people who do make it because they
> aren't "real" hams. The barriers of entry will eventually no longer
> resemble reality.
>
> CW is a mode. That is all. It conveys no special power over those who
> learn it which turns them into good operators. I've heard many times
> that it keeps out "riff raff" by making them invest time and effort
> before they gain privileges. They must be willing to overcome an
> adversity before we will accept them! I suggest, in line with the above
> analogy of a fraternity, that we paddle the backsides of "wanna be" hams
> instead. Not only is it quicker, but their willingness to endure the
> pain will show how dedicated they are to being a "real" ham. Maintaining
> a morse exam simply because its difficult makes no more sense.
>
> I was ridiculed when I came into the hobby as a no-code Tech. I was
> called a "General Lite" when I upgraded. I eventually learned to only
> ask the "old guard" for help when absolutely necessary because it would
> almost always turn into a discussion about "the good old days", and in
> my eyes the "good old days" meant "the days when people like you weren't
> allowed to key up". Fortunately, I met many helpful "elmers" who have
> changed my mind in that particular area, but I'm still generally fearful
> of the amateur cognoscenti.
>
> If new no-code hams show up and you tell them their license is garbage,
> how much value will they place on it? How much reverence for the rules
> will they have? After all, if the license is meaningless..
>
> What happens, instead, if you show them you are glad they have decided
> to be a licensed operator who respects the communal rules? What if we
> encourage them to participate in all that they can, and acknowledge
> those who are good examples of a ham. That will foster skilled and
> knowledgeable operators much more quickly than any difficult barriers to
> entry.
>
> I'm sure many of you have children. What would have happened if you had
> told your children they were not good enough for their entire lives?
> What sort of well meaning parent would do that? Instinct alone should
> tell you that doesn't make sense. Someone needs to be encouraging
> somewhere along the line.
>
> The bottom line is that this new class of hams are coming. You can
> either welcome them, or reject them. But as the group of people with
> perhaps one of the largest skill sets and knowledge bases, you will also
> decide how much they learn. If you shun them and refuse to talk to them
> or work them, you will cut off their ability to learn from those who've
> "been there, done that". You are just about forcing them to become the
> dreaded "appliance operators" that are so despised.
>
> I think some of you need to think about why you feel so threatened by
> this. What is radio if not a social medium at it's core? It's fun to
> make the electrons dance but meaningless without a purpose. Place your
> pride in your knowledge, experience, skill, and operating courtesy
> instead. It is the amateur who makes the license esteemed, not license
> which raises the amateur.
>
> 73 and my hopes for a great new year and a healthy amateur hobby in the
> future,
>
> Jason
> N1XBP
> Woburn, MA


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----- End forwarded message -----

-- 
Kevin P. Inscoe                       Amateur Radio Call Sign: KE3VIN
Deltona, FL 32738                                28.9497N by 81.1952W
kevin [at] inscoe [dot] org                    http://kevininscoe.com
GPG 0x61288D53