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The gap between analog and digital modes is big enough that maybe it doesn't make sense for them both to be in the same club. The FCC relies on the clubs for vo

The gap between analog and digital modes is big enough that maybe it doesn't make sense for them both to be in the same club. The FCC relies on the clubs for volunteer labor to conduct testing and monitoring rule adherence, both of which the older guys seem to do very well but perhaps licensing should have a base component for understanding the general FCC rules and basic radio theory and then have separate analog and digital endorsements.

jimktrains2 3y ago
> The gap between analog and digital modes is big enough that maybe it doesn't make sense for them both to be in the same club. This makes absolutely no sense. There's a whole base of physics, experince, antenna design, &c that are shared between analog and digital modes. Truthfully much more is shared than is different -- after all, in the end, digital modes are just another analog mode transmission.
- Mountain_Skies 3y ago
  And yet here we are, with the analog gatekeepers happily leading the hobby into oblivion.
MandieD 3y ago
See the amateur radio licensing system as a graduated driver’s license where the questions were put together by classic car guys who miss those giant pre-1973 oil embargo American muscle car engines, but is a necessity for running your electric-powered car with sensors and self-driving capabilities you and your tech community are developing out on public roads at speeds high enough to get anywhere, and with enough real traffic to get good feedback. The best way to influence the content of that exam? Join one of the more progressive VECs (Volunteer Exam Coordinators) as a volunteer examiner. Minimum license level for this is General, but really, Amateur Extra, so you can give all three exams. Which VECs are progressive? Start with the ones that host online exam sessions, and seem enthusiastic about it. The money is trivial ($15 per exam given, and they have to have three examiners watching one test taker), so they’re in it for the love (and possibly community clout). VECs, in turn, help the FCC set the question pools for the exams, and those are updated a little bit every four years. They’ve started adding a few questions about digital modes. I personally think they should have more content about safety and regulations, because that’s what really matters for playing nicely with others on the little bit of spectrum we have.

jimktrains2 3y ago

> The gap between analog and digital modes is big enough that maybe it doesn't make sense for them both to be in the same club. This makes absolutely no sense. There's a whole base of physics, experince, antenna design, &c that are shared between analog and digital modes. Truthfully much more is shared than is different -- after all, in the end, digital modes are just another analog mode transmission.

Mountain_Skies 3y ago
And yet here we are, with the analog gatekeepers happily leading the hobby into oblivion.

MandieD 3y ago

See the amateur radio licensing system as a graduated driver’s license where the questions were put together by classic car guys who miss those giant pre-1973 oil embargo American muscle car engines, but is a necessity for running your electric-powered car with sensors and self-driving capabilities you and your tech community are developing out on public roads at speeds high enough to get anywhere, and with enough real traffic to get good feedback. The best way to influence the content of that exam? Join one of the more progressive VECs (Volunteer Exam Coordinators) as a volunteer examiner. Minimum license level for this is General, but really, Amateur Extra, so you can give all three exams. Which VECs are progressive? Start with the ones that host online exam sessions, and seem enthusiastic about it. The money is trivial ($15 per exam given, and they have to have three examiners watching one test taker), so they’re in it for the love (and possibly community clout). VECs, in turn, help the FCC set the question pools for the exams, and those are updated a little bit every four years. They’ve started adding a few questions about digital modes. I personally think they should have more content about safety and regulations, because that’s what really matters for playing nicely with others on the little bit of spectrum we have.