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Nevertheless, we who have Full licences are an elite because we have
privileges that are not available to the general public, and it
is a characteristic to be jealously guarded. (And those with
the Right Moral Fibre to have taken the 12WPM Morse test in
the decades that it was available to them are the Bees Knees)

By dumbing down ad nauseam the entrance qualifications for
amateur radio to attract hoi polloi that eliteness is eroded and amateur radio
is as surely slowly killed.

Amateur radio is NOT about social chit-chat, there is CB Radio,
PMR446 and GSM radio for that.

Many seem to have swallowed hook, line and sinker the RSGB
mantra but the membership levels of the RSGB are NOT the
same thing as the good of amateur radio.

Nevertheless, we who have Full licences are an elite because we have
privileges that are not available to the general public, and it
is a characteristic to be jealously guarded. (And those with
the Right Moral Fibre to have taken the 12WPM Morse test in
the decades that it was available to them are the Bees Knees)

Having 'privileges that are not available to the general public' does not make you ‘elite’, however much you would like to think it does.
All you have actually done is taken a test around the level that O level Physics used to be.
That just shows you have skills in one area, whatever that does, it does not make you ‘elite’.

I have plenty of skills well above and beyond O level Physics - people need to get a grip!
All Hams have done is take an exam or two at a pretty basic level of understanding - it’s not rocket science and it’s actually also not that important in the general scheme of life, the universe and everything!

You are also incorrect in your assessment that such ‘privileges' are not available to the public - any one of the general public can train to become a radio ham - hardly ‘elite’ if it is open to anyone willing to train for it!!! ?
And what morals have to do with a 12WPM Morse Test is beyond me - that is a complete non-sequitur - again just your somewhat quirky opinion...

I would remind everyone that the purpose of the licence is 'self-training in radio communication' - that’s a large umbrella - however much you would like to make it smaller, it is large!
I would go a lot further and suggest that it is not restricted by the bands in the schedule at the back of licences either.

Thank God, for example, that people like John Heys G3BDQ played with radio outside the Ham Bands otherwise we might not have the Heyphone which plays such an important role in underground rescues like the one a year or two ago in Thailand when that young football team got trapped…
I, for one, am glad Mr Heys didn’t just stop on 3560kHz working QRP and thinking how ‘elite’ he was and how anyone who doesn't know CW has no moral fibre!! ??????


Chris G7DDN

This appears to be a duplication of views already expressed, adding nothing new to the previous similar post..

Those who wish to discuss this thread are obviously welcome to, but those not interested are able to mute this thread (or any other topic) if they wish.

Pete

Well said. And thanks for the introducing me to Heyphone, that's fascinating. I learn something new everyday about radio!

Gareth (the newbie one ;-)

Gareth,

Since when did the opinion (which you're entitled to hold) and pontification of a few who regard themselves as "elite" become the "truth" of Amateur Radio?

You may be entitled to your opinion but as you're nothing to do with the RSGB, and therefore nothing to do with the examination or licencing process, I would assert that you have made yourself irrelevant to the discussion.

Either
a: propose your own examination/licence process and infrastructure to OFCOM
b: join the RSGB and actually work to make things better (which doesn't mean you have to agree, just don't be surprised when you're not accepted to be "correct" in your opinion)
c: Go somewhere else

Regards

John