[UK-CONTEST] Foundation Licence

Tue May 2 16:33:53 EDT 2006

Hi all,
I think there is a classic dilemma here.  We really do need to attract
new people into the hobby but on the other hand we don't want to import
the worst aspects of CB.  If in time the majority of foundation
licensees never progress then the whole ethos of amateur radio is going
to change significantly.  One could argue about whether that is
desirable.

I used to like nothing better than to tune into an Amateur radio
conversation while building my latest project.  The conversation would
usually be of a technical nature, probably from other hams who would
talk about Dx'ing, building stuff or talking about aerials.  Nowadays it
is difficult to find such a conversation, it is more likely you will
hear discussions about totally non amateur radio stuff.  That was
because the entry barrier ensured a reasonable level of technical
knowledge.  Was that a bad thing?  Or is it me who is turning into an
Old fart?  Whether that is the case or not - if it were not for CW and
contesting,(both of which require effort and application over a period
of time to acquire skill), I think I would be considering packing it in.

Alex

GM3ZBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Member of: DeMontfort University A.R.S, RSGB, ARRL,
CDXC, GMDX group, G-QRP, RAOTA.
Cushcraft MA5B review at
http://www.sonikblue.co.uk/g3zbe/Ma5b.htm
Alex Allan (O.D. & E.C.)

Remember....It's just a hobby!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:uk-contest-
> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dave Sharred
> Sent: 02 May 2006 19:01
> To: UK-Contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Foundation Licence
> 
> I thought the analogy was quite good.
> 
> For the learner  (= novice);   he is limited in cc  for his first year
> also
> (= Power); which offers some protection for the unwary.
> 
> Dave
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Alan Pounder
> Sent: 01 May 2006 23:06
> To: UK-Contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] Re: [UK-CONTEST] Foundation Licence
> 
> 
> The analogy of the M3 licence with a motorcycle licence doesn't stand
up
> if
> you consider the death rate for inexperienced radio operators crashing
> their
> equipment! The reason for the time limit on the L-plate for a
motorcycle
> rider was to force them into training that may give them the
experience
> and
> knowledge to avoid killing themselves or others on the roads. If they
> failed
> to take up the training and demonstrate their competence to operate
lethal
> machinery, then it is only common sense to remove the privilege to be
on
> the
> road as an incentive to train and improve.
> 
> Whilst many M3's I have met through training courses at my local club
have
> a
> keenness and desire to progress in the hobby (note the word - hobby),
> there
> are also a number who for whatever reason cannot continue to spend the
> time
> and money on further learning. A large number of M3's are young
persons
> who
> may be about to move on in further education and may simply not have
time
> for the next stage of training and examinations until they have
finished
> their education (and then work and possibly families can get in the
way).
> I
> speak from experience here as I passed the RAE back in 1970 yet I
didn't
> have the time or money to put together a transmitting station until
the
> mid
> 1980's when I finally felt able to apply for a callsign.
> 
> While I agree that the present restrictions applied to the different
> classes
> of licence are difficult to enforce when they are based on power
levels,
> and
> I do feel that the licencing system should be incentive based, I do
not
> believe putting a time limit on the validity of a licence is a step
that
> should be taken. Restrictions on allowed frequency may be more
realistic,
> by
> only permitting operation within segments of bands.
> 
> Alan M0DAL (ex. G1WFM)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Callum M0MCX
> Sent: 01 May 2006 22:30
> To: UK-Contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Foundation Licence
> 
> 
> Sent to Dave earlier today and submitted here with his encouragement:
> 
> As an early M3 candidate myself, I accelerated to a full license in 9
> months. It soon became apparent that there were M3s on the bands that
had
> no
> concern at all for furthering their experiences or technical
progression.
> 
> In my mind, the motorcycle laws paralleled the M3 licenses quite well,
you
> started with L plates and progressed to a full license. If you
remember,
> you
> can only drive on L plates for a set amount of time before the license
ran
> out. You HAD to take a full! Why can't we do that for M3s? You have a
24
> or
> 36 month window to progress, or lose it?
> 
> I teach foundation and many of the young chaps I've had through the
course
> are dead keen to progress. They want rid of their L plates.
> 
> What this would do to the stats / enthusiasm, I haven't a clue - but I
> believe it needs a "tweak".
> 
> Callum
> M0MCX
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Harrison [mailto:g4ujs at qsl.net]
> Sent: 01 May 2006 18:45
> To: UK-Contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Foundation Licence
> 
> > Unfortunately in this world of political correctness it appears we
> > fall over ourselves to give anyone who asks anything they want as
easily
> as
> > possible.   If they don't get it they will probably sue!
> >
> 
> Ohhhh! Can we all have a QRO license then?
> 
> 73 de Bob G4UJS
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