[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

Been licensed since 1963 as a teenager (yeah, I’m that old). Extra class license and ARRL life member. I had to do it the hard way and test at FCC offices.

Current system is much better and I applaud the removal of the CW requirement - gets more people interested. The license question pool is available from many sources and easy to memorize. Should be a cakewalk for anyone to get a General class license.

I’m missing the issue. The ARRL is simply a resource for me. What am I supposed to be upset with them for?

-.-

[Blackhawk45]

I also went to an FCC Office to take my General & then to a Convention where the FCC Reps administered my Advanced. <<>> I don't know if I agree with your premise of the current system being better. I was never a great fan of CW, but it did help keep a lot of the low life's out that did not respect the hobby. My first 15 years of holding a license, most ops would not think of using even h*** or D*** on the air. The newbies now use the vilest language on air. The ARRL pushed for a larger subscriber & customer base so they pushed for relaxed standards. Their was a time when an Amateur Radio License was something to be proud of. Now it is not much different than CB or the bootleg hf band just below 10 Meters.

[Vermont Lt]

I passed all three tests in a period of three weeks last year.

I could have passed it when I was a teen, except for the CW. I simply never got the hang of it.

The group I work with are the local RACES group. One of our members keeps wanting us to do ARRL stuff. We all look at him like he’s daft. We’d rather play with the goodies we can get from DHS.

Yes, they might come and take my radio away. But I have several left over from my dad. Good luck finding those.