FreeRepublic, Amateur Radio's Cousin?

[Johnny Gage]

Ham Radio Bump.

What do you think about the possible license class changes?

[PCRit]

I can see the similarities between FR and amateur radio too. A good place to "rag chew" as they say. By the way, the last time I checked the ARRL/FCC records, I believe there are close to 600,000 amateur radio operators in the US.

So we need a lot more FR members to equal that number!

As for the license changes, I guess it's one way to keep the hobby alive, since computers and the internet have had a severe impact on new amateur operator applications in the last 10 years.

[rightcoast]

Well, it's a little jarring for there to be license class changes proposed so soon. I was granted my Technician (no-code) license in 1999, before the license changes that came the next year. That change eliminated the Novice class license and reduced Morse Code requirements.

These newly proposed changes would eliminate my Technician license class and the Advanced class, reinstate a Novice (or similarly-named) class license, and increase HF privileges on all three license classes. A Morse Code requirement of only 5 wpm would be applicable only on the highest license class of Extra.

Personally, I'm for the license class changes for two reasons: one selfish, and one practical. The selfish reason is that since I have a no-code Tech license, I would be "grandfathered" into a General class license and instantly have HF privileges that I don't have, because I have been too lazy to learn Morse Code. The practical reason is that since I would suddenly enjoy HF privileges, I will definitely be playing around with HF bands, and I have no doubt that this would lead me to wanting an Extra class license. This would be the motivation I needed to learn Morse Code.

I firmly believe that the Morse Code requirement should always be in place at the highest license class level, and even at 5 wpm, it will be enough for people to be able to pass it easily, and play around with code as a curiosity, and maybe even learn to love it as many have.

I think that while this license changes could be perceived as hurting Morse Code in the short run, I actually think they will help curb Code's death in the long run, and certainly they will be a benefit to the long-term health of amateur radio as a hobby.

[AlexW]

DE W4EX, Ham since 1958, previous to W4EX (1998) I was K4ZKZ

[Denver Ditdat]

Ham radio bump de KØVJ.

[Johnny Gage]

You echo the same sentiments as I have about this.

I too, have a 'no code' Tech license and am interested in the increase in the frequency privelegs the changes would bring.

[T Minus Four]

N0INC bump!

[Tijeras_Slim]

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[PRND21]

Anyone know Dr. Detroit in L.A.?
I get his Ham transmissions on every station on every AM radio in my house and thru my computer speakers.

Is that a common occurance? He lives within blocks of me.

[rightcoast]

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CGI Morse Code Translator

[July 4th]

Cool! I haven't heard anything about the new license changes. I got my Tech Plus in 1992, renewed it a few years ago, and would be really interested if I got more HF privileges than just the tiny morse bands and once voice band on 10 meters.

[ScreamingFist]

ping.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

A big QSL bump!

[Zeppo]

Anyone know Dr. Detroit in L.A.?

Seriously? That sounds like a CB'er using illegal power, and not an amateur radio operator (a.k.a. 'radio ham').

[PRND21]

Very serious. I can only hear him talk, no other transmission comes through.
Makes it tough to listen to Dodger games in the basement.

[Vinnie]

I'm a no code tech also.

Guess I'll have to go to the Kenwood site. (G)

And plan a visit to my SIL in Columbus, Universal Radio doncha know!

[Zeppo]

Even though this guy is not a ham radio operator, the technology that he is using to transmit is similar to that used by hams, and so the remedies will also be similar. While there are measures that could be applied to the guy's transmitter (in addition to his not using illegal power) which would reduce the chance that his transmissions would interfere with your reception, it's unlikely that you will be able to fix things that way (a complaint to the FCC might possibly work, though).

Instead, you could look into adding some inexpensive measures (such as electronic filters) on your end to get rid of his interference. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL - www.arrl.org) referred to by the original poster has a lot of informative material that may help you. Some of it is on the web, and they also sell a book that goes into more technical detail on curing problems.

The problem is called "RFI", or "radio frequency interference". Here are a few web links that may help you, while a google search on RFI should bring up tons more: (it is possible that some of those links are only available to ARRL members, sorry if that is the case)

RFI Info

FCC RFI info

FCC Interference Handbook

The ARRL RFI Book

[PRND21]

Thanks a ton for the info.
I don't want to bust the guy, but I'd like my AM radios and sound card to work properly.

[JoJo Gunn]

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