Subj : Re: Eggs! To : Daryl Stout From : Nancy Backus Date : Sat Feb 01 2020 19:48:58 -=> Quoting Daryl Stout to NANCY BACKUS on 26-Jan-2020 22:50 <=- DS>> My favorite parts of the hamfests are: DS>> 1) License Exams -- either as the administrator overseeing the DS>> session, or helping give the tests. NB>> You only listed one favorite part.... are there more...? ;) DS> I must've had a gray blonde moment. I think you got distracted... ;) DS> There are...so, here's the modified repost: DS> 1) License Exams -- either as the administrator, overseeing the DS> session, or helping give the tests. DS> 2) The Forums -- where you learn something about an aspect of the DS> hobby, or even giving it yourself. I prepared a deal called "You're DS> Licensed, Now What??", a brief but comprehensive overview on the ham DS> radio hobby. DS> 3) Eyeball QSO's -- where you put a face to those you talked to on the DS> radio...similar to the face to face meetings for BBS User And Sysop DS> gatherings, like the one I referred to in another message. DS> 4) Feeding My Face -- there's a place to get burgers, hot dogs, etc. DS> at the event...we like to refer to it as "the food trough". Besides, DS> H.A.M. stands for H)ave A)nother M)eal, and you don't call us "Late For DS> Dinner". Lots of good reasons for liking the hamfests, then... :) NB>> If it's only the first try, there's absolutely no reason why they NB>> couldn't try again, is there...? Then it's not even a failure, NB>> just a trial run... ;) DS> As long as they're not caught cheating. I use an exam maker program, DS> which means every exam book that I have is different...both in the DS> questions, and the order of the answers. So, trying to copy off DS> someone else's test at my exams, will do them no good. Misses the point of the exams, anyway, to try to cheat on them... DS> At one session where I was assisting, one individual tried to bribe DS> us monetarily, to issue him a license without him taking the test. DS> While not the head examiner, I advised the Volunteer Examiner DS> Coordinator (VEC) of what happened. The individual had let his license DS> lapse (his own fault), but he didn't want to take the test again. He DS> failed the exam miserably both times. Again missing the point.... DS> And, I've heard sessions where the examiners "gave the exams away". DS> An honest examinee turned them in, and all the examinees had to go DS> before the FCC for "only one try". The examiners involved were stripped DS> of their examiner accreditations and ham radio licenses for life. Perhaps ham radio isn't quite so critical as, say, exams for a doctor's certification, but still that just isn't right... DS> The FCC rules note that the Question Pools, prepared by the National DS> Council Of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC), and released into DS> the public domain 5 1/2 months before they take effect (on July 1 of a DS> specific year -- the pools change every 4 years), are to have at least DS> 10 times the number of questions in the pools as on the exams. So that people could somewhat study to the test, but more importantly, have an idea what they need to know, not just for the test, but to do the "job" well afterwards.... :) DS> The Technician and General exams have 35 questions (you can miss 9 DS> and still pass), and the Amateur Extra exam has 50 questions (you can DS> miss 13 and still pass). There is no longer a Morse Code exam (that was DS> removed 13 years ago). Many of the questions are similar, and if one DS> studies diligently, they should have no problem with the exams. DS> Now, if one is handicapped, has a learning or reading disability, is DS> visually impaired, etc., they can ask at the session for the examiners DS> to give them an exam without graphics or schematic diagrams, and to DS> read the questions and available answers...then the examiner marks the DS> sheet with the desired answer. They can NOT do any vocal coaching, etc. All makes sense. :) NB>> If they graduate, they've passed all the exams... ;) Maybe they just NB>> aren't good test-takers... ;) DS> That's true...but then they make the patients go through all these DS> tests. Different set (and sort) of tests... ;) DS> But, that reminds me of the object lesson the teacher was trying to DS> teach her students. In one jar, there was tobacco. In a second jar, DS> there was whiskey. In a third jar, there was nothing. She puts a worm DS> into each jar...the worms in the first 2 die...but the third one DS> survives. She asks what this means, and little Johnny said "If we DS> smoke and drink, we won't have worms". Different sort of worms, though... NB>>... Religious backup.....pray nothing goes wrong DS> No kidding. But, that doesn't work when a Sysop goes on vacation. DS> The BBS comes down with an extreme case of separation anxiety, and DS> promptly crashes. I save it the trouble, and "let it have an extended DS> vacation nap". Might as well... ;) ttyl neb .... Dyslexia. It can warn without striking. --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452) .