10-03-2017, 10:05 AM
Agreed Pete,
Opening up digi modes to foundation operators has been highlighted by many as a possible way of swelling the ranks of AR with new minds that see things in a different way. There less than 2500 F calls currently registered so a three letter suffix will never run out. In the UK there are a variety of call prefixes and I don't think that has affected anyone. It would be a pretty simple thing to identify a foundation operator with a VI prefix. I'm sure it would be an easy transition.
It's pretty tough listening to DX stumble over the four letter F call suffix even with the imaginative use of alternate phonetics. I've heard Jenni lose a number of great DX contacts because the far end just could not cope with the the four letters.I think our ham brains are expecting 2 or 3 letter suffixes. BTW even though I understand the 4 letter suffix I still have to think twice when I hear a 1x1 call - same mental process.
No comment on power or digi modes?
It may seem like a taunt but I think the time has come to think with a little clarity on the subject. In my mind we shouldn't take away privileges but it's clear some don't see the logic in learning to advance themselves in the hobby. Technical knowledge is not the great prize it once was. I see my proposal differentiating foundation from standard by using speaking into the microphone as the prize. I think today that speaking is probably more of an incentive than knowledge was some years.
Opening up digi modes to foundation operators has been highlighted by many as a possible way of swelling the ranks of AR with new minds that see things in a different way. There less than 2500 F calls currently registered so a three letter suffix will never run out. In the UK there are a variety of call prefixes and I don't think that has affected anyone. It would be a pretty simple thing to identify a foundation operator with a VI prefix. I'm sure it would be an easy transition.
It's pretty tough listening to DX stumble over the four letter F call suffix even with the imaginative use of alternate phonetics. I've heard Jenni lose a number of great DX contacts because the far end just could not cope with the the four letters.I think our ham brains are expecting 2 or 3 letter suffixes. BTW even though I understand the 4 letter suffix I still have to think twice when I hear a 1x1 call - same mental process.
No comment on power or digi modes?
It may seem like a taunt but I think the time has come to think with a little clarity on the subject. In my mind we shouldn't take away privileges but it's clear some don't see the logic in learning to advance themselves in the hobby. Technical knowledge is not the great prize it once was. I see my proposal differentiating foundation from standard by using speaking into the microphone as the prize. I think today that speaking is probably more of an incentive than knowledge was some years.