Tim wrote:I have 2 licenses, one to drive and the other is for shotguns. But to seriously answer the question, no, and I have no intention of obtaining one at this time as I don't see the point. As far as I can see the 11 meter band is as active as the other bands at times, they all have their ups and down in propagation and limitations. Also it would appear that there are a great deal of licensed operators using the 11 meters and whatever Country one may be 'chasing' on one band you will at some point hear and probably work that Country on the 11 meters. There are for's and against's for all the bands, they all have their limitations, idiots and poor operators which appropriately gives it its 'amateur ' status, I like to think that I conduct myself and operate in a 'professional' manner. As for all the 'technical' stuff, antenna design, circuitry, measurement etc. the same calculations can be applied to all aspects of radio operation no matter what the wave length or band, you just adjust to suit. If this makes me a 'CBer' then I am proud to be one. If you want people to obtain an operators license then the training and examination should be designed to encourage people to apply and do it rather than make it more difficult or awkward, I thought, reading the magazines, that numbers were declining, I wonder why?
I only asked as I see the 5/9 comment fairly often and mostly by people who aren't licensed. Granted there's a lot of 5/9 move along QSO exchanges on the Ham band but, it is really easy take a 5/9 exchange and turn it into a conversation especially if one is good at the art of conversation.
Ham radio is declining, not because of the entrance procedure but because it has to compete with many forms of communication easily accessible to all.
The main reason for the change and making the entrance a little harder in my opinion, is more down to the decline in standards of operation than anything else. This is no ones fault but the RSGBs and Ofcoms. When operating procedures and practices aren't taught to a good enough standard it will happen.
11 mtrs will always be a great band, long may it continue but I love the Ham bands to.
Cheers for the reply Tim.
I will not be commanded, I will not be controlled.
n+1 the formula for working out how many radios you need with n being the current amount.