[UK-CONTEST] The RSGB/Ofcom discussions

[Frank Hunter]

Colin G3PSM wrote:
> Frank,

Colin,

>> 1. There has to be an incentive to upgrade otherwise the scheme is a 
>> mockery which currently it is.
>>  
>>
> That is not the view of Ofcom or the RSGB

I'm sorry, but any scheme that (will shortly) allocate top band to 10GHz
to the candidate for life with any power he sees fit to use for knowing
that using a transmitter does not affect local rainfall or the middle
wire in a plug is earth is a sham, a disgrace and a mockery of the
entire service. The miniscule number who have upgraded to "advanced"
from foundation says more than I ever could and surely illustrates how
great a mockery this scheme is.

> and I categorically refute 
> your earlier assertion that "thousands" of radio amateurs have written 
> to both Ofcom and RSGB to complain.

These were the words of one of Ofcoms local officials, not mine. I know
of those who have written many times to Potters Bar and got no response
who in desperation sent registered letters and still got no response.

> Indeed, given the usual apathetic 
> response which radio amateurs are renown for I would think that numbers 
> in three figures would even be a gross exageration.

Well let's just end the speculation, you've obviously got a line to
council and the GM ask them for the facts.

>> 2. Spectrum space as opposed to power should be used as an incentive to 
>> upgrade. A power limit is unenforcable, breeches are just about 
>> impossible to prove whereas it is easy to prove one has been operating 
>> where they shouldn't be.
>>  
>>
> This was the original proposal as proposed by the then RSGB HF Committee 
> and endorsed by the RSGB Board at the time.   Unfortunately this was not 
> the view of the then RA and it is not the current view of Ofcom.

I don't buy that. You can go and ask for virtually anything to be given
for free in the FL and it is given, yet such a resonable and sensible
request is refused? Why?

>> 3. There should be a time limit, if the entry level has to be dumbed 
>> down to such a level that 7 year old children, cb'ers of 25 years 
>> standing and more, the educationally subnormal, the winos and pushers 
>> can gain a licence there has to be a mechanism to ensure that those 
>> unwilling or unable to upgrade are removed. This is not multiband CB or 
>> a CB substitute, the RSGB would do well to remember that. Neither is it 
>> their own personal cash cow. The FL is essentially a provisional 
>> licence, a provisional driving licence is not granted for life and 
>> neither would we expect it to be and it should be the same with the FL.

> Most of us are familiar with your anti RSGB views both on the Northern 
> Ireland and the UK Radio Amateur reflectors so I am taking that into 
> consideration.

I am not anti RSGB. I am an RSGB member. I want the RSGB to fairly and
accurately represent the views of its members, something it most
assuredly is not doing now. Is that too much to ask?

> As various contributors have already opinioned everyone 
> is entitled to their opinion however it appears to be an obsession with 
> you and everything that happens that is contrary to your personal view 
> would appear to be the fault of the RSGB.

Sorry you feel like and I'm sorry you've such a warped perception of me
and my views. It just seemed so trivial to me that people were arguing
about /A and /P suffixes at a time when things are so bad here that I
get phoned up by people to have a qso on 2m lest they get cornered by
one of educationally subnormal If they put out a call on the repeater!
I'm not joking, we have on the bands here those who were educated at
special institutions and who travelled there on special buses - such is
the scale of the dumbing down. How are we going to attract people into
the hobby when they listen to 2m and all they hear is rubbish from fools
they wouldn't talk to in the street?

> When the Foundation licence was first introduced it was agreed that the 
> development would be looked at three or four years into the programme.

And here we are now and more is being given away for nothing at the
request of the RSGB.

> Unfortunately when this was agreed the concept of Ofcom was not even 
> thought of and the resulting transition between the RA and Ofcom put 
> such a review on hold.   I can tell you however that such a review is 
> now moving towards the top of the priorities list and the Society has 
> recently carried out a survey amongst Foundation Licence holders which 
> will be used as part of this review.

Well that's very nice, how about carrying out a review amongst the
ordinary rank and file and listening to their opinion? Would that be too
much to ask? But you know as well as I do that the rank and file will
not be consulted because their views are already well known.

> As this survey has only just been 
> completed the results are still to be analysed however I'm sure we all 
> look forward to the statistics it provides.

Sure we can all hazard a reasonable guess as to what it will say!

>> 4. There should be an age limit. 7 year old children do not belong on 
>> the amateur bands. They belong on CB, PMR 446, cell phones or an Xbox. 
>> I'd suggest 12 years of age as at about this age they'd be starting to 
>> cover Ohms law and such in school.
>>  
>>
> I believe this was as a result of representations from the 
> educationalists within the hobby.   I'm sure this will be taken on board 
> as part of the review.   That said the lack of age limit seems to work 
> quite well in the US and there are certainly some good and keen 10 year 
> old operators who should be encouraged and not put down.   If they can 
> manage amateur radio without affecting their school work then good luck 
> to them.

Let me put it to you another way, if the exam was pitched at a
reasonable level there wouldn't be any 7 year old M3's or those with the
mental age of 7 year olds on the bands. We need young people yes, we do
not need children.

>> 5. Examinations should be taken out of the hands of clubs as cheating is 
>> rife.
>>  
>>
> 
> With only one proven exception there is no evidence that such activity 
> exists.   If you have proof then please let the General Manager know, 
> member or not.

Jeez, there are none so blind as those who will not see! Over here we
have had a club chairman who is also a course tutor and a DRM read the
entire exam AND answers to his students because and I quote "I had to
they could hardly read Frank" this is well known locally. Do you really
expect me to report anything to a General Manager who when asked in
Belfast what was being done to address the problem of MI3's greatly
exceeding the 10w power limit replied, "Who cares?" I think not. How is
it possible for one retarded candidate who was scoring no more than 20%
in his mocks at one club to switch clubs and turn up a pass in 3 weeks
at the last RAE? It isn't! I could go on and on but I won't. You know as
I do that by far the greatest majority of UK amateurs neither approve of
this scheme or wanted it in the first place.

>> BTW, I do appreciate your hard work.
>>  
>>
> I thank you for that.

Credit where it's due :)

I'll take any further postings off list Colin as it's not fair to the
rest of the members to be reading a licensing debate when they expect to
be talking contests!

73, Frank GI4NKB
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