ARRL is Loosing my Membership/If passed!

Making a DX contact is always exciting to me, even after 30 years of doing it. I don't really care what class license the person on the other end has as long as they are following the rules.

Here's a little story that I think puts it in perspective, at least for me -

A number of years back I was part of an advance search and rescue team - meaning that when time was a big factor they sent us in first and that usually meant that we would be running full out 5-10 miles or more up mountain trails with 50lb packs to reach areas that helicopters or other rescue teams couldn't get to. Then we'd have to perform first aid and then carry someone down a mountain until they could evac them.

It was one of the toughest and most rewarding things I've done in my life.

Being part of this team was considered very prestigious and lots of people went through the testing to try to join but only about 1/8 would pass the testing because it was so intense and you had to be insanely fit.

As time passed, for whatever reason, being part of search and rescue wasn't as interesting to people and less people joined and even less people tried to join the advance team. As we got older we had less and less young replacements coming in and eventually they changed the testing rules to make it easier.

Was the caliber of new recruits as good as the old? Not quite, but it wasn't like they made the test so easy that fat albert could pass it. It was still tough, and the new team members were still dedicated, and they still did a great job saving lives. They didn't join just because they could, they joined because they were dedicated people who wanted to participate in something amazing.

The technician class test may seem easy to people on this forum with 20-40 years of radio experience, but for someone to want to take the test, to study, to make the time to attend the testing at a local hamfest or library, means they are excited and want to participate in radio. I think more people on more bands is good for amateur radio.

Well said sir!!!

Yah mon!

I do understand the feeling that others are getting handed something which you worked for. With that said, from what I've read, some compare technicians to 11m. Seriously? While some feel comfortable generalizing every person in a group, if I did that, I would have no interest in taking my test. I am able to differentiate between the snobs and those willing to encourage others to join the hobby because of many on here. I would like to think of my presence on 11m as courteous and respectful in order to enjoy the hobby. I may be a minority but I've met plenty of others that enjoy making contacts without all the BS. I still mean what I said that I see no difference between the judgmental and the troublemakers. I'll be sure to avoid both groups whatever spectrum I am on.

Obviously you don't listen to all the Class A Extra's on 7200Khz LOL!

Electronic coms are always improving in some form or another.

I have yet in ten years been able to make a DX contact into Philippines.
I have been with Sprint cell phone service 14 years, I have free international text messaging to Philippines. My texts usually make it there, I have yet to get a HF signal there.

There has to be a WIFM ( What's in it For ME) for anyone to be interested in devoting their time and resources into obtaining an amateur license.

So what is the WIFM for studying and obtaining a license?
When they can use numerous apps on their smart phone to video conference globally for free.

Like it or not code is not a requirement anymore. The tests will not get any harder and there may be a day where we have one class of licence. If the new comers aren't rf engineers out of the box that's ok. It's an opportunity for the more experienced hams to help as they were helped by someone at some point.

If you really want to protest cut the coax and boycott amateur radio. The arrl doesn't care if a few old timers are mad. They want to keep the younger ones happy because they will be alive longer, that means they will be paying dues longer.

Look at the grouchy old farts at hamfests pushing through crowds, mumbling under their breath and looking pissed off to be there. These are the guys I picture pissing and moaning about no code hams, the damn cbers and anything else that's changed in the last 30 years.

Captain Kilowatt said:

Why don't we just hand out driver's licenses too if people don't want to be bothered to study and learn the proper way. They basically do that in India then everyone could become as good a driver as Rajeeve from Delhi. Oh wait.....have you ever seen Rajeeve drive?

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We've been doing that in the US for years. People that can drive a vehicle with a manual transmission and parallel park are rare birds. The majority don't know basic traffic laws, what the signs mean, what the left lane is for or that they shouldn't be looking at Facebook while driving.

Robb said:

Ever consider that they may make the test harder? So many Hams have claimed that the Tech level test is too easy? So, they give more privileges; but also raise the bar on the test. We will see . . .

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Many if not most of the new hams nowadays memorize all the questions and answers. All the levels have become too easy. Questions could be about quantum mechanics or the life cycle of a newt. It wouldn't make any difference.