Amateur Radio Rethinking

The need to rethink on Amateur Radio is vital to address the changing world today. It is to see how the hobby can fit the present environment and the current mental state of the people. Some of what I may be saying is not a totally new concept rather from the common argument of the past.

When the cell-phone were first introduced they posed several problems to many people. Phones were used to blackmail and threaten people. We can't trace the caller. That gave a clear path for anyone to insult and intimidate. Today the privacy has been taken off. Phones are registered. Calls are easily traced. It would be very folly for a person to insult or threaten another using his phone.

This cannot be done with the radio. We cannot know who use the radio to insult or threaten or throwing slur on the band. It is beyond the ability of the radio authority to catch every lawbreaker, criminals or any other people who abuse or misuse the radio equipment for illicit purposed. There are a few hundreds using the radio causing disturbances on frequencies. In this region we cannot be so sure whether those people are from Malaysia or Indonesia. But on the higher band the number of illegals are numerous.

Once radio equipments have been controlled items. In Malaysia communication receivers were unlawful. Today the radios are easily available. Being small they are easily smuggled. When the irresponsible individuals own them they will cause havoc. Can the authority handle the rouge individuals ?

Secondly there is an issue of the various categories of radio amateur; the CB, FRS and the HAMS. The CB and HAMS are international, crossing the boundaries of the nations. The frequencies allocate to each are different. HAMS got the most. Every radio enthusiasts want an equal allocation of band without discrimination. Hence why not eliminate CB and HAMS and merge them into a single category.

Following the above issue is the question of Radio Amateur Examination. What is the use of the RAE and how is it relevant to be a HAM ? Traditionally HAMS had to make their own radio transmitter. Without the knowledge one could not construct any equipment. To build a power supply one need to know the windings and the formula, the knowledge on rectifiers, chokes and condensers. In short technical knowledge was imperative. Today radios are made affordable in the market, surface mounted, making you a moronic dude to repair any damage. You can't see the value of resistors and you can't even solder or unsolder the components.

What is required is money not knowledge. There are illegal operators who never sit for Radio Amateur Examination.

If RAE is abolished then CB and HAMS can be merged into a single entity. If RAE is abolished then there is a need for thinking whether Morse test will follow the same fate.

Fourthly it should be decided whether all radio transmission should be legalized or controlled ? The Malaysian authority has no way to control private individual illegal transmission. It does not have a monitoring depot and inadequate manpower and facility. Nobody wants to get involve in legal implication. No officer will want to go to court to prosecute the law breakers.

Related to the above issue is whether to determine who are the people allowed to own and transmit the radio. Many clubs and organizations choose people as memberships. They don't accept every Dick, Tom and Harry. To them discrimination is important to maintain the high standard of the associations. A certain government jobs looked into the parent's background to accept candidates.

If radio transmitting is made free to all then there is no need to look into the membership and the characteristics of individual. In other words every Dick, Tom and Harry is given liberty to transmit.

On the other hand we can talk about the quality hobby composing of a certain degree of standard members. This too need rethinking. Who are these 'standard' members ? How to choose them ? How to identify them ?

I am of the view that memberships need to be restricted. Criminals and drug pushers and edicts should not be allowed into the hobby. Rouge individuals and individuals with undesirable habits and attitudes are not suitable too. The idea may be conservative but mannerism is utmost important. There are a lot of things to talk about, on mannerism and discipline. Otherwise the radio band will be filled with filth.

RAE FORMAT

In case it is desirable to maintain RAE I would suggest that there are two parts; part A on regulation and Procedures, and part B on Technical Relevance. Regulations and Procedures are to be in two section\s. Section 1 contains between 20 - 40 questions, objectives or fill in the blanks or essays or the combination. They are on regulations and all questions must be answered correctly, failing one means failing all. Section 2 is on the ham stations, logbook, SOP etc which do not required all passes.

Topics on Technical Relevance consists on  a. Power supply  
                                                                                b. Antenna   
                                                                                c. Filters
                                                                                d. Propagations

This section does not require all passes.

MORSE PREFERENCES

If national disaster are to be undertaken by a government's body or special squad then Morse code can be dispel with. If amateur operators are preparing for disasters they must know Morse codes. The advantage of CW is it can travel a long distant with a low power that will save energy and batteries. It is so small that it can be put in a pocket. At a big flood combined with other calamities we cannot carry bulky batteries. There would always be a rush to save ourselves. We can grab small items but not the big ones.

A CW test of 5 - 10 words per minute is mandatory.