FCC Denies Petition to Increase Size of Amateur Radio Question Pools

[ARRL]

In April 2008, Michael Mancuso, KI4NGN, of Raleigh, North Carolina, filed a petition with the FCC, seeking to increase the size of the question pools that make up the Amateur Radio licensing exams. Mancuso sought to increase the question pool from 10 times the number of questions on an exam to 50 times more questions. On March 19, 2009, the Commission notified Mancuso that it was denying his petition.



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[hookedon6]

ngn is on the 'zed whinin and moaning:thumbdown:, some of the bozo's are supporting him. others (me included) are blasting him because he is a tool.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Personally I think there should be a few more questions on all the exams and MOST importantly STOP posting the question and answer pools. Memorising Q&A's is NOT learning. Just my 2¢ worth. YMMV. I had 100 questions on my exam back in the late 80's,non of which were published in a question pool, and some of them required a written response and an actual drawing. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

 

[hookedon6]

i agree about the answer pools.
no one there even bothered to respond to this comment of mine: "if you can't ask a proper question, then asking 100 other improper questions won't get any different results. "

thats the real problem with this petition. it states there is a need for an expanded question pool, but, he justifies that need due to published Q & A's". he can't and didn't justify that as a reason.

he's just trying to make every one walk 20 miles thru the snow, uphill both ways, to be tested by a stern FCC examiner, like he did

smoke and mirrors.... and the FCC saw thru it too.

 

[C2]

...50 times more questions [on the exam]?

That would be 2500 questions for extra?

 

[formulamojo]

Was his intent to make the tests harder so us pesky cb'ers couldnt get a ticket as easily?

just wondering.

 

[hookedon6]

20 miles uphill both ways thru the snow

in a word.... yes. not so much "harder" , just more to remember if you just want to pass the test from memory of the question pool.

thats why i said : "if you can't ask a proper question, then asking 100 other improper questions won't get any different results. "

 

[formulamojo]

IC...

I have been studying for months and still dont feel confident enough to put out the money and risk failing.

My logic once they dropped the code was why go for a tech ticket when for the same price and a few more questions go all out and get the Extra.

 

[hookedon6]

i'm "pretty sure" that before you can use the element 4 (extra)csce, that you also need to pass ele 2 (tech) and ele 3(general).

i stated it this way because you are not actually REQUIRED to take the tests in order (2...3...4), but, you can't use the privledges of a higher class csce until you have passed the lower test.

bottom line : take the tests in order ele 2..... 3.....4 its a lot easier that way. .....and yes , you can take them all at the same session if you want to.

 

[EDUK8TR]

i'm "pretty sure" that before you can use the element 4 (extra)csce, that you also need to pass ele 2 (tech) and ele 3(general).

i stated it this way because you are not actually REQUIRED to take the tests in order (2...3...4), but, you can't use the privledges of a higher class csce until you have passed the lower test.

bottom line : take the tests in order ele 2..... 3.....4 its a lot easier that way. .....and yes , you can take them all at the same session if you want to.

CORRECTAMUNDO!
Yes you can take all three elements in any order,(the recommendation is that they be in ascending order) in one sitting, for one fee. There have been individuals who have made this achievement. Pretty cool. Take and pass all three, wait for your call to show up in the data base and once its there start operating with all available privileges.

 

[scantheband]

Finally the FCC did something *right.*

 

[C W Morse]

Finally the FCC did something *right.*

By denying the petition? I can't say I agree. What the memorized answers do is open the door to technical-noncompentancy (if there's such a word:tongue: ). It permits the user (basically an appliance operator) to bypass any understanding of the results of his actions. It is obvious that a majority of test-takers simply memorize the answers by rote with only ONE thing in mind. Turn on a radio, turn the knobs to the right, and jabber!

I certainly don' t have the answers, but I have seen the result of this memorization on the Service. One thing it does is permit access to HF before the user has any understanding of those bands and how his operations affect others! Many a time, I have seen experienced hams and builders of amateur equipment blamed for the failures of the "technician" hams themselves. They have not ONE clue of impedance, for example, or how to make a mobile HF antenna work. But they will sure "white-eye" YOU with an accusatory stare looking for someone ELSE to blame. NO sireee! You can't say anything, either, about how they don't know what the He** they are doing----you're just an old elitist ham for even suggesting that they are merely in over their heads!

So, yeah, I guess I AM saying that I think the tests should be harder and make the ham work a bit harder for it. And, yes, I think the caliber of the people is also affected proportionally in relation to the difficulty of the testing.


CWM

 

[scantheband]

Well, C.W., from one "old elitist ham" to another, you surely recall back in the 60's when so-called technical wizards acted like complete buffoons on 75 meters (and elsewhere), QRM'ing each other into oblivion with seemingly endless levels of illegal watts, and making amateur radio sound like a slack-jawed freak fest of the worst proportions.

As the FCC clearly stated, "each applicant for a new or upgraded Amateur Radio operator license 'is required to pass a written examination in order to prove that he or she possesses the operational and technical qualifications required to perform properly the duties of an amateur service operator licensee, i.e., that he or she is qualified to be an amateur service licensee."

The understanding of inductance, capacitance, or resistance in even their most basic applications do not a competent ham make. As evidenced throughout the years, even the most technically inclined have the ability to become some of the worst operators, whereas those who lack in that particular field can be some of the finest hams in the bunch.

The idea is to get one's foot in the proverbial door, and learn the more technical aspects as one progresses through the learning curve while operating a station.

And, of course, the idea is to sell as many Kencomaesu's as possible, too. I'm not oblivious to the obvious that this, much like everything else, has been strongly influenced by the almighty buck.

I'm sorry, but history has clearly proven time and time again that the level of technical knowledge and, (as much as I love Morse code) proficiency in Morse code does little to determine that the "caliber of the people is also affected proportionally in relation to the difficulty of the testing." Dem's da facts, pure and simple.

Respectfully,

STB

 

[2CO3026]

BRAVO! You, scantheband, appear to have a firm grasp on reality. I, too, am a product of amateur radio of years past, and I remember the likes of those "slack jawed" lids on 75 meters. Lids are lids -- always have been, always will be, regardless of some arbitrary "filter" to supposedly keep them out of the hobby/service. The "...the caliber of the people is also affected proportionally in relation to the difficulty of the testing" thinking is complete balderdash.

And, of course, the idea is to sell as many Kencomaesu's as possible, too. I'm not oblivious to the obvious that this, much like everything else, has been strongly influenced by the almighty buck.

Don't forget QST subscriptions. (I happen to be a member of the ARRL, too.)

 

[hookedon6]

i really have to agree with the last 2 posts.
i also agree that (as a general rule) the technical level has gone "south"

i really don't see any problems with the question pool as far as the questions go. the questions are mostly valid and meet the requirements and purpose of the FCC.

i can even agree (somewhat) with posting the exact Q & A for the TECH ticket. let 'em get their feet wet and if they want to upgrade, then they need to hit the books.

the GENERAL & EXTRA (imo) should not be published, but this has been going on since the days of Dick Bash, so don't blame it on the VECs' or the arrl. i think it is now a dumb-asssed legal requirement.

part of the problem is many people seem to think that an advanced/extra ticket makes them something REALLY special. it doesn't, (perhaps "slightly" special, but not KMA special) if that is the most difficult test they have ever had to pass, then they just haven't been "around" much in life.

some of you are also following a similar thread on another forum. i can't believe all the whining and moaning going on there.... something like 35 + pages and around 6400 reads. 99% of it is just "i had to walk 20 miles thru the snow and so should you too" attitude. its the same call signs that were in the know code/no code pissing contests.

oh, and by the way, a "few" years ago, i could have been just "signed off". i could have been a WA8***. no test, no code, no 20 mile walks thru the snow. instead i went thru the correct process. i often wonder how many on that other forum are just "signed off".