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Random question for today: Considering people who are not amateurs, if you wanted to create increased visibility and participation in amateur radio, what would you do? (lemmy.radio)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago (3 children)

Here’s your bootstrap. Assuming you’re in the US, HamStudy.org. Spaced repetition studying for the exam, no Morse code requirement anymore.

FCC exams can now be administered remotely via computer. I’ve taken all three of my exams remotely; my first while sitting on a beach!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's a bit late, but here's my upvote. Ground the site for a few weeks, and took my Technician and General exams today, holed up in my bathroom.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Nice! I did the exact same thing. Remote exam in my bathroom. Congrats on the tech and general. If you plan on the extra, do it before you forget anything from the general because there's a lot of carry over from the test.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

@667 @HakFoo Unfortunately our club is fixated on scheduled instructor led classes (death by powerpoint for the most part) and in-person administration of electronic tests.

They deliberately conceal the fact that self-study and on-demand remote testing are options when people inquire about getting licensed.

edit: fixed wordwrap

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

That’s disappointing to hear. What would be the fallout within your club if you were to just go get licensed on your own? Does your jurisdiction permit licensure outside of clubs?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

@667 In the US licensure is independent of clubs.

There _is_ gatekeeping going on. It seems to stem from OMs who want to control how folks get into hobby.

Although they won't turn away a warm body toting a license...

Edit: added tag line

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Ahh ok, I’m US licensed also. Was surprised to see your club insists on such a rigid learning experience.

You’ll know best for your present situation, but I’d encourage you to just go get your license on your own and get on the air. There’s plenty of media channels to learn.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

@667 I'm already licensed ... went "from zero to hero" on my own over a span of about 4 months back in 2011.

It's just so frustrating seeing the obstacles which are constantly thrown in the way of people who want to become licensed (or upgraded).

Edit: licensing year

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

100%

That’s wild your club makes newbies sit through such a course and refuses any kind of modernizations. OMs for sure.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I studied all the legal questions for all three license levels through brute force using that site. Went through the questions so many times that I could tell you the answer within the first few words.

Now is that a good thing? Meh, i think most of the learning occurs once you're on the air. Then again, i do have a EE degree so the radio science part i already knew.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

I agree. The FCC exam is a framework for learning. All my follow-on learning, including antenna building and using an NVNA have come from doing it.