news.individual.net> 6fa899b2   
   XPost: uk.radio.amateur   
   From: usenet@stephenthomascole.com   
      
   Alan  wrote:   
   > Roger Hayter  wrote:   
   >   
   >> I find demonstrating to some   
   >> jobsworth that I have the common sense at least of an average gnat   
   >> distinctly tedious.   
   >   
   > I fully agree that pointless “how to pick up a box” health and safety   
   demos   
   > are a waste of time to keep box-tickers happy, but the AR practicals do   
   > have some practical value, for example:   
   >   
   > Using an HF transceiver - Given they’re not cheap, and most candidates   
   > don’t have one, then using one to put theory into practice is quite   
   > sensible. Similarly, most candidates won’t have used (or own) an antenna   
   > analyser, or have the kit to calibrate and test a VFO. Surely these are   
   > quite useful (and relevant) things to be able to do/learn?   
   >   
   > When I took my driving test many years ago, I found much of the test pretty   
   > basic and tedious (“how do you turn on the hazard lights”, etc), but I   
   can   
   > appreciate the value of being able to demonstrate practical application of   
   > theory.   
      
   I'm perfectly happy with there being a "fuckwit level" of basic instruction   
   in the amateur radio syllabus. These things might be basic (wiring a mains   
   plug, say) but they're very important and worth making sure everyone knows   
   them.   
      
   --   
   STC / M0TEY /   
   http://twitter.com/ukradioamateur   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)