[net.ham-radio] A modest proposal on the theory part of ham exams :-)

Chepponis@CMU-CS-C.ARPA (07/08/84)

From:  Mike Chepponis <Chepponis@CMU-CS-C.ARPA>

In light of all the recent controversy about the CW requirement
for a ham ticket, I thought that perhaps Andy was right, and the
written part of the exam had been ignored.  I therfore propose
the following questions which should be on all ham exams henceforth,
Especially addressing the no-home-brew ham problem.


1) 5 points. (Advanced test only)
Here is a standard 5-tube AM radio and 20 feet of #30 wire. 
Construct a 20 meter SSB transceiver and work the ZA3 which just
came up on 14.236.  It's now 2249Z; he'll go off the air at 2300Z.

2) 10 points.
Here are 4000 2n3904 transitors (untested) , 10000 1K resistors and a
1.5v D cell.  Construct a Flip Flop (1 point).  Construct a
breadboard of a Z80 (2 points).  Construct a breadboard 68000 (3 points).
Connect the two and build a completely digital 2 meter HT (4 points).

3) 10 points.
Here are all the parts that go into an ICOM 2-at.  Build it. (1 point).
Modify it to operate on 1.2 GHz.  (Can this be done? Why? why
not?)(2 points).  Here is another 2-AT parts kit.  Build a 450
MHZ repeater.(2 points).  Clone the parts you have to build
enough HTs for all the members of your repeater club (5 points).

4) 10 points (team project)
Here is a roll of aluminum foil, an umbrella and an old microwave oven.
Your partner has received identical materials.  Work him(her) on
X band via Marsbounce.  You have 10 minutes.
Extra credit: Work anybody else on Marsbounce within the alloted time.


5) (20 points)
Here a 3 empty gas cans, two old TV sets and a solar-powered
calculator. Build OSCAR-20.  It must have modes A, B, J, L and packet
using MSK (5 points).  Launch it (5 points).  Convince W0ORE to
grab it and bring it back to earth (5 points).  Add repeaters for all
amateur bands, and install a color SSTV camera.  Re-launch in a
geosynchronous orbit (5 points).

-Mike, K3MC
(yes, I like CW but think there should be no-code, too!)
-------