"Tim Ward" wrote in message ...

Fortunately, I do not require your respect in order to use 50 MHz and up.
The QCWA members I am acquainted with are generally happy when someone takes
up the hobby for any reason, and either don't share your disdain, or are at
least polite enough not to mention it.

If one compares the ham bands as they were even twenty years ago with
the morass of garbage they have now become, you would understand my
disdain. If one understands that it once was considered a sign of a
dedicated amateur to BUILD his own equipment, you would further
understand the disdain. I operated all bands from 80M though 220mhz
bands, using mostly homebuilt or converted surplus until the years
1980 through 1988, at which time I aquired a nice Collins 75A-1 and
Johnson Viking II CDC. NEVER was any brand on any of my antennas,
including the array for 2M moonbounce.

When they reinstate the technical and regulation portion of the test
to what was required, and bring back the CW standards required at that
time, I MIGHT think about reinstating my license. As long as the rice
box and the brick are the norm, not much of interest there. What is
in place now is NOT what The Old Man had in mind when he brought the
amateurs cause before the legislators. (Hiram Percy Maxim for those
that don't know.)