I had a conversation the other day with someone who is highly respected in the offroad community and someone that I have a tremendous respect for if he feeels the need to get an amateur radio license before operating one offroad.
He told me has been operating an amateur radio for years and uses it all the time while wheeling but does not see a need to get his license. This came as a bit of a surprise to me considering his views on Tread Lightly, adherence to trail rules, his views on safety, and his overall do what’s right attitude.
The two main reason he cited.
1. The test is so easy it doesn’t mean anything.
2. As long he is respectful and does not abuse it he will never get caught.
The first I am not sure I understand but it flies in the face of the second.
The test is not difficult but does take a couple of days of study and memorization if all you want to do is pass. The purpose of the technician test is to give you a rudimentary understanding of how a radio works but mostly to explain the rules of radio operation and how to “be respectful and not abuse” the privilege.
I would argue that the driver’s test is not difficult and the chances are small that you would ever get caught if you never broke any traffic laws or got in an accident. I think that it would be difficult to however if you never studied what the laws were.
I contend it is a bit hypocritical if you expect others to follow rules if you only follow the ones you feel are worth while.
He told me has been operating an amateur radio for years and uses it all the time while wheeling but does not see a need to get his license. This came as a bit of a surprise to me considering his views on Tread Lightly, adherence to trail rules, his views on safety, and his overall do what’s right attitude.
The two main reason he cited.
1. The test is so easy it doesn’t mean anything.
2. As long he is respectful and does not abuse it he will never get caught.
The first I am not sure I understand but it flies in the face of the second.
The test is not difficult but does take a couple of days of study and memorization if all you want to do is pass. The purpose of the technician test is to give you a rudimentary understanding of how a radio works but mostly to explain the rules of radio operation and how to “be respectful and not abuse” the privilege.
I would argue that the driver’s test is not difficult and the chances are small that you would ever get caught if you never broke any traffic laws or got in an accident. I think that it would be difficult to however if you never studied what the laws were.
I contend it is a bit hypocritical if you expect others to follow rules if you only follow the ones you feel are worth while.
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